Monday, March 2, 2009

Another Excellent Paris Bistro

Just back from a really good meal at Beaujolais d'Auteuil, which just won the 2009 Prix Staub-Lebey for Best Traditional Bistro. Started with the best oeuf dur mayonnaise of all time, followed by an incredibly tender côte de cochon (very meaty spare ribs) that were braised and then roasted and served with sweet potatoes mixed with diced chorizo. For dessert I chose a creme d'amande aux fruit secs (almond cream with dried fruits): light and delicious. Service was competent and pleasant.

This is a local restaurant, off the beaten tourist track at the far end of the 16th arrondissement. I heard no English spoken, although that should not deter anyone from going there. For the quality, the place is a screaming bargain: 30 euros for the meal I described (but a good number of choices are available) plus coffee and a half-litre bottle of St. Amour for a total of 52.80 euros. It was Monday night so not crowded, but I recommend calling ahead. Beaujolais d'Auteuil, 99, boulevard de Montmorency, Métro Porte d'Auteuil or Michel-Ange Auteuil, 01 47 43 03 56.


Bobby Jay

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Le Compteir-Relais Saint Germain

I found myself surrounded by Parisiens one Sunday afternoon at lunch at Le Compteir-Relais Saint Germian. Somehow I had the luck to find a vacant table outside about 1:30 and occupied the lovely space until about 3:15 or so. As I was searching for the perfect Sunday lunch spot, I noted the tables lively and filled with all ages. I also duly took in the delicious looking salads, rustic bread, divine meats and sublime sauces. Many people lingered over dessert and coffee. As I took my much coveted table, and line started to form and wait for some time until people sauntered out into the streets. The woman next to me was having the plat du jour of steak. It was just what I was looking for with a sauce to compliment the dish. Bien sur, it was accompanied with mash potatoes and green beans. I knew that I would be lingering awhile and asked for a pinchet of the house wine. It was quite good, but not anything to write home about. Next to met couples of all ages and parents with children on break were talking about their lives. I decided to write in my journal, as I had been too busy until now to do so. I was planning later on in the afternoon to have dessert at Le Procope(founded in 1686), so I opted for a rich cheese to help with the rustic bread and vin rouge. I found the service to be professional. Later in my trip I mentioned the restaurant to a friend and he said that the chef was a very well respected chef in the South of France. He had worked for a hotel there and wanted to find a small hotel/restaurant to work in Paris. Evidently some people thought it would work out and the restaurant is part of the Hotel Relais Saint-Germain. 9, carrefour de l'Odeon; tel:01 44 27 07 97; www.hotel-paris-relais-saint-germain.com. A la prochaine fois!

Bobby Jay said...

Sorry to have to withdraw my recommendation, but Beajolais d'Auteuil has changed management and preliminary reviews are bad.