Grande Cremerie (La)
8, rue Grégoire de Tours (6) Tel: 01-43-26-09-09 AMBIANCE/DÉCOR A good looking small wine bar with small plates and a 19€ lunch – plat plus glass of wine. Popular, convenient. Serious, but for a glass Read more
Closerie Des Lilas (La)
171, boulevard Du Montparnasse (5) Tel: 01-40-51-34-50 AMBIANCE/DÉCOR Every Paris restaurant guide mentions La Closerie Des Lilas in terms of its literary and social history in the heart of Latin Quarter on the Blvd. Montparnasse. Read more
Quincy (Le)
28, av Ledru-Rollin (12)
Tel: 01-46-28-46-76
AMBIANCE/DÉCOR
A movie set bistro. In Gare de Lyon neighborhood. Elderly, energetic owner dominates the room; takes orders, checks on tables, advises on menu, creates a completely memorable experience – with one caveat: An assumed digestif gift is 15e on the check. A recommended wine substitution priced 75% higher. Great food, great fun.
Another spectacular dinner demands amplification. Le Quincy illustrates the range of Paris dining and the peril inherent in lists of “favorite restaurants”. On two back to back nights Versance (see 2nd) and Le Quincy.
Origins 14/Regalade (La)
49, Av Jean Moulin (14)
Tel: 01-45-45-68-58
AMBIENCE / DÉCOR
This is where it all began, and the original does not disappoint. The food quality and menu inventiveness is the same, but this less convenient location in the 14th boasts wonderful bistro décor, a young, high energy crowd heavy with French which seem to never stop coming (they book until 11:30 p.m.), a busy but skilled wait staff and the same diverse three course formula menu which revolutionized Parisian dining when first introduced.
People seem to be having more fun at this restaurant than any other we know, staff and customers Always full. Always good.
Restaurant du Marche
59, rue de Dantzig (15)
Tel: 01-48-28-31-55
AMBIANCE/DÉCOR
A nearly 50 year old bistrot hidden on a nondescript street in the 15th can hardly be described as a “find”. Obviously, plenty of people found and enjoyed Restaurant du Marche over the decades, but it was not known to me. I discovered it thanks to the normally discerning “Hungry in Paris” website.
A small, classic bistrot, ten or so tables for 35 guests – all middle aged French when we were there. Authentic, bordering on seedy, as in untouched, but charming because of that. Movie set-typical, but try to find many more like it. Best of all, it is not limited to the look. The greeting, menu, friendliness and execution all aligned perfectly.
Grande Cascade (La)
Bois de Boulogne Allee de Longchamp (17)
Tel: 01-45-27-33-51
AMBIANCE/DECOR
Zagat says “A step back in time”. Indeed it is, in the best sense of the phrase. Glittering turn of the century building set in the Bois Boulogne within earshot of Longchamp. Large, grand style room. Jacket and tie not required, but certainly in the majority. Formal, but friendly welcome.
Frederic Simonin
25 rue Bayen (17)
Tel: 01-45-74-74-74
AMBIANCE/DECOR
This is a find, if not a bargain. Simonin was the Atelier Rubichon chef in London, now back in Paris on his own, on a small market street in an otherwise busy Etoile-area neighborhood. Small. Modern. Comfortable surroundings. Based on the menu, expensive. A la carte at dinner, but at 39€, an extraordinary several course lunch at a giveaway price. Good enough to make one think about the a la carte dinner menu. And surely not to last. (and it hasn’t: Lunch now 49€)