Dining out in Paris should be fun, relaxing andnever, never stressful. Whether a 3-star restaurant or a neighborhood bistro there should always be a warm welcome and an excellent rapport qualité-prix-a positive relationship between price and quality. Bon appétit!
Bistros & Restos 6th to 10th Arr.
Mandarin
It was Saturday Jan 2 and most bistros were closed for the extended New Year’s holiday. Sandwiched between Huiterie Regis and the Golfe de Naples we discovered the Mandarin, a family-owned and operated Thai restaurant with a Chinese name and a few Vietnamese dishes.
Le Procope
Often proclaimed as Paris’ first café, it was opened by Francesco Procopio Del Cotelli in 1686 and was the meeting place of Ben Franklin, Denis Diderot and Voltaire, who was known to consume up to 40 cups per day. Many of the great thoughts of the Age of Enlightenment were developed here.
Alfredo Positano
The menu is vast but we wanted simplicity today so we shared an antipasto that Luca, the charming Napoleatano owner served us from the groaning table of cippolini, red and yellow sweet peppers, carciofi, funghi, white beans and zucchini.
Les Climats
On the site of the magnificent Telephone & Telegraph building dating to the 1920s, Les Climats has risen, serving superb food, exceptional wines and charming service in a stunning environment.
Artcurial
Piemontese Enrico Einaudi left his accounting job at Schlumberger to follow a passion for hospitality by opening Crazy Pizza in Fontainebleau. After successfully opening three more bistros he set his sights on Paris and is feeding hungry shoppers from the nearby Avenue Matignon in the building that also houses the famous auction house Artcurial.
Le Percolateur
Named for Philippe Madamour’s collection of antique percolators this spot in the “Europe” district-streets are Turin, Moscou, Rome, etc. that houses music shops and luthiers Le Percolateur is turning out very good food at reasonable prices.
Café du Sud
After two missed opportunities due the cold and flu that had been attacking Parisians “Rabbi” Albert and I finally connected and were joined by the charming Breton Food Blogger Vanessa Besnard at Café du Sud.
le P'tit Fernand
The baby brother of the cavernous Bistro Fernand offers an edited version of their soul-satisfying, cuisine grandmère in a quieter and more intimate setting.
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Bistros
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.”
Events
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.