The kids have got it right at La Balançoire. Pros: solicitous service, lighthearted atmosphere, generous spirit Cons: none La Balançoire, a new bistro in Montmartre, has a juvenile nostalgia theme going for it: one of the seats is a real … Read More
Not much has changed at Au Passage over the years except the food. Pros: happy atmosphere; delicious, inventive food; reasonable prices and sound levels; good service Cons: better ventilation needed in the kitchen It is highly unlikely that you would … Read More
Click here for a more recent review of this restaurant. A recent survey reported that the current favorite dish of the French is magret de canard, which came as a surprise to me, as it is served relatively rarely in … Read More
Was it the candlelight or the strong wine that made Chatomat seem so magical? THIS RESTAURANT IS NOW CLOSED. Pros: cozy atmosphere, off-the-beaten-track location, delightful service, good gourmet sense, heady wine Cons: can’t think of a single one Parisian foodies’ … Read More
Pottoka: a Basque-flavored micro-bistro in the 7th. Pros: hearty meats; buzzy, neighborly atomosphere Cons: cramped dining; expensive à la carte On a rainy All Souls Day (“La Toussaint” in France) I sought refuge in a micro-bistro nestled on a handsome … Read More
Old Montmartre mural at Le Temps des Cerises. Pros: aimiable atmosphere, reasonable prices, decent food, old-timey decor Cons: noisy and cramped, but who cares? It’s small, cramped, crowded and noisy. And, while the food is hearty, copious and tasty, it’s … Read More
The decor could be cooler at Chalbens, but the welcome couldn’t have been warmer. Pros: sincere, solid food; romantic atmosphere; impeccable service Cons: off-the-beaten-Métro track; cuisine and atmosphere lacking in edge Okay, I am no Anthony Bourdain, who ventures to … Read More
Pros: charming interior, high-level cuisine, judicious mix of genres, fine selection of sake and wine, highly attentive service Cons: no natural wines, rather expensive, unremarkable dessert It seems like everyone in Paris has been talking about Kunitoraya II, piquing … Read More
THIS RESTAURANT IS NOW CLOSED Pros: sharp, seasonal cuisine; wholesome proportions; intriguing wine list; friendly service Cons: rather trendy, characterless mise-en-scène As the annual Nuit Blanche festivities kicked off in more kinetic parts of the city, I ventured to a … Read More
THIS RESTAURANT IS NOW CLOSED Pros: fresh food; easygoing, accommodating service; pretty decor; reasonably priced wine Cons: out-of-season asparagus, desserts lacking in oomph At first glance, Le Bien Décidé seems to be a meat-eaters’ paradise – the extremely limited menu … Read More
