Imagine a camera narrowly focusing on an image and then opening up onto a wide-screen panorama and you will have approximated the feeling when you enter Alcazar. This enormous ground floor dining room and wrap around mezzanine has been a fixture in the neighborhood for twenty years, and the just completed renovation with cozy banquettes and plants, has made this grand space warmer and more inviting.

Imagine a camera narrowly focusing on an image and then opening up onto a wide-screen panorama and you will have approximated the feeling when you enter Alcazar. This enormous ground floor dining room and wrap around mezzanine has been a fixture in the neighborhood for twenty years, and the just completed renovation with cozy banquettes and plants, has made this grand space warmer and more inviting.

I was meeting my old pal John Baxter, who never misses an opportunity to puncture my balloon, with affection, in his books about Paris. A chance to reflect on another wonderful year in our adopted city.

Noella, my favorite server, welcomed us with coupes de champagne and we took a few moments to scan the menu, which thankfully has not changed much.

I started with a glistening, presentation of of sea bass carpaccio with grapefruit,granny smith apples and crunchy super-fresh cilantro-tart and refreshing while John chose  three crab cakes.

The room was slowly filling up with an elegant crowd of adults–business types, theatrical types and the usual assortment of elegant women, all of whom had the air of habituées.

For a main course John made me envious with his giant, roasted prawns, but I was very content with my roasted cod with clams. A 2014 Blayes-Cotes-de-Bordeaux from Chateaux des Tourtes made it all go down very easily.

Our server, Noella, had counseled us to save room for dessert and John, being the son of a baker, misses no opportunity to celebrate his father’s profession pronounced the Mille-feuille vanille bourbon every bit as delectable as advertised. An excellent espresso and our meal was complete.

The luncheon formules are terrific values and at these prices I will be back-often.

For 27 euros you can select from an assortment of either starter & main courses, or main course-dessert, a glass of wine or splurge and for 32 euros add either an appetizer or dessert.

Perhaps a coupe while you wait for your table?

Alcazar, 62 rue Mazarine, 6th arrondissement, 01-5310-1999

Open Daily for lunch & dinner

Metro: Odéon