Just a few steps from the Arc de Triomphe, this pleasant bistro has become a canteen for business types from the neighborhood, and after my lunch and conversations with adjacent diners I know why.
Just a few steps from the Arc de Triomphe, this pleasant bistro has become a canteen for business types from the neighborhood, and after my lunch and conversations with adjacent diners I know why.
Chef/owner Thomas Boutin has a lengthy resumé that belies his youth, including a 2 year stopover in San Francisco at Le Charme, a one time SOMA (South of Market Street,) favorite.
The menu is filled with classics like frog’s legs, sweetbreads and tarte tatin but done with a fresh and light touch.
We knew this would be an excellent meal when M correctly observed that the bread was from Jean-Luc POUJAURAN. Upon being seated we shared a crunchy, fried St. Marcellin on a lightly walnut oil dressed salad with walnuts and
a variation on the classic leek vinaigrette.
The glass of Chablis was refilled for a moist pate de canard and the signature frog’s legs sautéed in garlic and parsley.
For our main courses we switched to a 2012 Bordeaux. For M it was a riff on the classic poule au pot served on a bed of rice and a tender ris de veau accompanied by puréed potatoes for me.
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On the menu our desserts looked quite quotidian, but on the palate-ethereally divine. M chose baba au rhumthat resembled (pain perdu) French toast that was lightly perfumed and not overwhelmed by the rum and my tarte tatin was the lightest I’ve ever tasted.
Over coffee I reminisced with Thomas about his experience in San Francisco, a city that he loves. At the end of service he will be happy shmooze with you.
Le Vieux Crapaud • 16 rue • 75016
Open for lunch & dinner Monday-Friday
Tel 01 73 75 70 10
