While the city has no shortage of fusion, bistronomic and creative restaurants, those devoted to the traditional cuisine of our grandmothers are becoming a rarity. Perhaps this is what pushed two “artizans” to open this welcoming bistro tucked between Les Halles and Montorgueil, where it feels good to kick back and forget about the frills. In charge of savory dishes, chef Patrick Canal (formerly with Le Bristol, Prunier Traktir, Le Dôme, etc.) wowed us with his bordelais poached egg accompanied with bone marrow, his foie gras torchon and tangy apples with citrus, followed by his chevillard beef served with Béarnaise sauce and an addictive cassolette of potatoes stuffed with pig’s trotters and black pudding. For our sweet tooth, Mathieu Mandard, French champion of desserts in 2004, who played a key role in the opening of the Café Pouchkine in Moscow after working at the George V, proposes a fine palette of true pastry chef desserts, like the revisited lemon pie with a light sablé crust and the traditional rum baba. The menu features set prices (€12 for starters, €23 for mains and €7.80 for desserts) or a prix-fixe menu option at €35 for starter, main dish and dessert. Nice list of well-chosen wines, some of which are available by the glass. The home-made pastries and croissants can be enjoyed on location like in a tea room as early as 9 am, or can be purchased to go. Attentive and thoughtful service.
Non stop from noon to 11pm • Open daily • Average price: €35
