La Rotonde

in Bistros & Restos 6th to 10th Arr.

Opened in 1911, La Rotonde was a hangout for the Lost Generation during les années folles. On any given night you were likely to bump into Hemingway, Joyce, Fitzgerald, Soutine, Picasso and others.

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Opened in 1911, La Rotonde was a hangout for the Lost Generation during les années folles. On any given night you were likely to bump into Hemingway, Joyce, Fitzgerald, Soutine, Picasso and others.

Recently restored to its belle époque beauty it has become a jam-packed destination for neighbourhood ladies, businessmen, trysting couples, actors and the likes of me and my pals.

I hadn’t been here since the grand renovation and was anxious to see if it continued to provide a good bistro experience: a vast selection of hearty food,unpretentiously prepared, decent wines at fair prices, friendly service a and a step back in time to a more elegant atmosphere. Happy to report that my hopes were satisfied.

Once nestled into our booth we began by choosing wines from a generous choice of wines by the glass, a Chardonnay for Elaine, a Cote du Bourg for me and Jack Daniels 2016 for Pierre.

Pierre began with six oysters from Quibéron, Elaine had a silky smooth velouté of parsnips and I had a nice surprise-thick slabs of smoked Scotch Salmon marinated in the style of herring-two or there of these entrées and a bottle of a dry white would have sent me to heaven.

The no-nonsense main courses were haddock on a bed of fresh spinach, bathed in sauce anglaise for Elaine and as meat lovers Hugo Desnoyer’s gigot d’agneau for Pierre and my midday favorite,hangar steak with fries.

Pierre indulged his sweet tooth with vanilla profiteroles in hot chocolate sauce-Eliane assisted and in a gesture of solidarity with Pierre I had a rich coffee parfait with caramel sauce.

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105 Blvd. Monparnasse • Paris 75006

01 43 26 48 26

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Regularly scheduled literary salons with guest writers, private dinners, restaurant openings, wine tastings,market visits and cooking classes attract a discerning, sophisticated crowd who love to have a good time while they learn. Our cadre of Paris–based colleagues happily share their passion for this magical city.
   

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No one should have a bad meal in Paris! Whether a 2-star restaurant or a local bistro there should always be an excellent rapport qualité prix– relationship between price and quality. At my favorites you will be treated as a regular and have a satisfying experience. Just tell them  “Terrance sent you.”