If the simple façade of this bistrot does not catch your eye at first, it doesn’t keep this place from being one of the best bets in the neighborhood. Thierry Santos, recognized as a “Maître Restaurateur” (master restaurant owner) in 2012, a title delivered by the government that guarantees that the cooking is homemade, is a pro of all that is “zinc” (French slang for cozy little bars). He even has a “zincalogical” glossary on the menu with the explanation of tongue-in-cheek expressions such as “one for the road” and the rare term “a zaganin” that refers to the “little bit of food that remains on a plate or in the bowl of a café au lait” – after which he named the bistrot. Once you go through the door, you’ll find a long room, with tables in light colored wood and an exhibition of paintings that change every month or so. For lunch, it’s the 14,90€ formula that has been a great success with the clientele of the area as well as with the journalists from other magazines. They’re absolutely right, because what you get is outstanding, like a lovely scorpion fish filet served with broccoli and hollandaise sauce, which was the dish of the day when we were there. On the (almost) fixed price à la carte menu – 8,50€ for starters, 8€ for desserts, 18 to 25€ for main dishes, you might find for example: a half dozen impeccable number 3 fine flattened oysters, a loin of lamb in a herb crust accompanied by a mousseline of parsley root, and a delightful dessert of roasted mango, shortbread biscuit, coconut ice-cream and coriander. The brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 22€ to 24€ has been quite a hit. A la carte menu at 29,50€, fixed formula at 24€ for a main dish with either a starter or dessert.
From 12:00 to 2:30pm and from 7:00pm to 10:00pm Closed on Sunday nights and Mondays Average price: €24
