We arrived at Les Fines Gueules (which literally translates to “the gourmets”) at 12.30pm and were the first guests. Lazy Sundays, I guess. Most of the guests started flocking into the restaurant from 1pm onwards. The restaurant is situated on 2 floors while the kitchen is located on the 3rd floor of a building from the 17th century. Our table was situated in the ‘basement’ which was decorated with authentic bricks, natural color, and wood.

As with most of the bistros and wine-bars, the menus are presented on a chalkboard. At Les Fines Gueules, the selection of wines was similarly presented on a menu chalkboard.  It was a good selection of wine, most of them organic or nature at reasonable prices.

The chef’s style of cooking is simple but we found that the produce and ingredients used were of a very high quality and top-notch.

Chee and I decided to share a starter: Duo de bufala & burrata, fines tranches de San Danielle (duo of mozzarella with San Danielle ham).

For main, Chee took one of her favorite dishes: Fameux tartare d’Aubrac au couteau, pommes grenailles, salade (Steak tartare from Aubrac, knife cut accompanied by new potatoes and salad). A point to note for the french-fries lovers, the restaurant does not serve fries with its steak tartare

I, specialist of the duck chose the Filet de canette de barbarie, fricassée de champignons (Filet of Barbary duck with pan-fried mushrooms).

For those who do not know the difference between filet and magret of duck: the magret is a filet from a duck that’s been fed through gavage (force-feeding of corn) and with which the famous ‘foie gras’ is made. The filet comes from a duck which has a regular diet. Magret tends to be more fatty and bigger in size though both are equally delicious.

Both of us enjoyed our main dishes and will probably come back, particularly for lunch on Sundays as not many good restaurants/bistros are ouvert le dimanche.

Address: 43 rue Croix des Petits Champs, 75001 Paris

Tel: +33 1 42 61 35 41, Open 7/7

http://www.lesfinesgueules.fr/le_lieu.html

P/S: It’s a pity that the restaurant does not propose an economical lunch menu.

Located near Place Victoires, on rue Croix des Petits Champs, Les Fines Gueules is beautiful both inside and out. I will remember it for two things:

• One of the best Loire reds that I have had so far.
• Eating la ratte potatoes with le boeuf tartare, the later being a specialty of this restaurant.

Cassis biscuit and chocolate cake at Jean-Paul Hévin

What is this growing Parisian passion for fresh ingredients put on the plate simply? Just a month before this meal, we had dined on pan sautéed la ratte potatoes, that I grew in pots in my tiny apartment balcony, with a glass of Loire white for dinner on a busy weekday. I am the anti-”fresh ingredients put simply on the plate” kind of restaurant diner. Give me the best ingredients and chef’s blood, sweat and tears please. However, when you are on a wonderful holiday, a simple and delicious meal is nothing to scoff at.  We had a great time. Besides, this restaurant has started a new travel story. The opening line goes like this … “Did you know that French people love eating vegetables? As long as there are fewer than six Brussels sprout leaves on the plate …”

For dessert, we headed towards Jean-Paul Hévin Chocolatier on Rue Saint-Honoré where I had my fill of the complex art of cooking.

S’en est alors suivi une recherche frénétique d’un lieu digne de ce nom… Cityvox et autres Qype ne faisant pas mon affaire, j’ai consulté ‘celles-qui-savent‘:  Vicky, Eva, Ophélie puis Paloma. Emails, coups de fils, textos et conseils avant de finalement atterrir sur le blog de Paloma et lire, entre deux lignes, le doux nom LES FINES GUEULES. Bingo!

Je pourrais vous parler pendant des heures du dîner, un lieu chaleureux, des serveurs souriants, un velouté veloutant de champignons et croquant de noisettes, une bavette d’aloyau au poivre vert et une bouteille de Marsannay 2009 Clos du Roy du Domaine du Ballorin & F., mais je n’en ferai rien. Non, je préfère vous conter l’après-dîner quand, émoustillée, je confesse mon admiration pour la sélection des vins et que le gentil serveur nous parle d’une cave de plus de 14 000 bouteilles, là, sous nos pieds ébahis. Poussant la gentillesse encore plus loin, il s’excuse et revient 5min plus tard le sourire au lèvre et nous dit “si vous voulez voir la cave c’est maintenant..”!

Trop d’émotions sensorielles pour un même soir mais qu’importe, je le suivrais jusqu’en enfer s’il le fallait car il a éveillé ma curiosité comme personne auparavant. Et c’est bien en enfer que Franck va nous conduire, à quelques 20 pieds sous terre (au moins!) dans un dédale voûté et souterrain, la cave des Fines Gueules.

Nous sommes en fait au paradis et il fallait descendre sous terre pour être élevés au ciel. Une fraîcheur accueillante nous enveloppe et, devant nous, des milliers de bouteilles en caisses, en casier, en magnum et par région. Nous nous perdons avec délectation dans des couloirs en cul de sac et les explications passionnées de Franck sur la collection du patron, la sienne par adoption. Paris semble bien loin et le brouhaha du restaurant a été remplacé par un silence religieux, celui de l’homme face au vin. Je suis émue.

Les Fines Gueules

43 rue Croix des Petits Champs

75001 Paris

Tél : 01 42 61 35 41
Ouvert 7 jours sur 7

Here, I’ve listed 11 bistros I like very much in Paris. I tended to make the info brief rather than detailed, for those people who need a quick review. I’ve also uploaded a lot of photos to my Flickr albums which might be helpful as a reference.

Price range -
Lunch set – 30€ to 40€
Dinner – 30€ to 60€

Paris 75001

Les Fines Gueules

Les Fines Gueules

Check my report about Les Fines Gueules.

Hours:  Open 7 days for lunch and dinner.  Bar hour till late night.
Address:  43 Rue Croix des Petits Champs, Paris 75001 (Map)
Metro:  Palais Royal, Bourse, Sentier, or Pyramide
Tel :  +33 1 42 61 35 41
Flickr Photo Set

Yam’Tcha

Yam'Tcha

Just started in this year, Yam’Tcha has been a big hit in Paris. Every gourmand friend of mine is talking about it. I went it once this summer and found it intriguing. The female chef Adeline Grattard has an impressive resume: worked with Yannick Alléeno at the Hotel and Pascal Barbot at L’Astrance-l’Astrance in Paris and then spent 2 years working in Hong Kong, including at the restaurant BO. IMO, her cuisine is full of Asian touch, the presentation is very French however. Please make a reservation as early as possible.

Open Hours:   Wednesdays to Sundays
Add: 4 rue Sauval, Paris 75001  (Map)
Metro:  Louvre Rivoli
Tel: +33 1 40 26 08 07
Flickr Photo Set

Paris 75004

Benoit

Benoit

Founded in 1912, Benoit has kept its well-known traditional cuisine well till now. It’s a bistro very comfortable and very Parisian. Benoit has been acquired by Alain Ducasse Group in 2005 from the ex-proprietor Petit family. It’s a Michelin one star restaurant, but the price is pretty fair – lunch set costs 38€ and a la carte at dinner costs around 60€. Delicious food and cheerful ambiance.

Open Hours: Mondays to Sundays. Annual closed: July 26th to August 25th and Feburary 25th to March 2nd.
Add: 20, Rue St-Martin, Paris 75004  (Map)
Metro:  Chatelet or Hotel de Ville
Tel: +33 1 42 72 25 76
Flickr Photo Set
http://www.esprit-bistrot.com/

Paris 75005

Ribouldinque

Ribouldingue

The owner Nadège Varigny had worked with Yves Camdeborde for around 10 years before. It’s a place for those who love offals (les abats): Instines, tripe, cheeks, tongues, kidneys, and the rest. The wine list is a very brief but well selected one. The food is hearty and yummy.

Open Hours: Tuesdays to Saturdays. Annual closed: From Aug 9 to Aug 31 and December 27th to January 4th.
Add: 10 Rue St-Julien le Pauvre, Paris 75005  (Map)
Metro: Saint-Michel, Cluny La Sorbonne, or Maubert Mutualite
Tel: +33 1 46 33 98 80
Flickr Photo Set

Itineraire

Itineraires

The chef Sylvain Sendrais is from the famous bistro le Temps en Temps. The interior deco is very modern and bright. The service is inviting and friendly. The food here is delicious and contemporary. Of course, make sure that you book a table in advance.

Open Hours: Tuesdays to Saturdays. Annual closed: From Aug 4 to Aug. 25 and December 20th to 29th.
Add: 5, Rue de Pontoise, Paris 75005  (Map)
Metro: Maubert Mutualite
Tel: +33 1 46 33 60 11
Flickr Photo Set

Papilles

Papilles

Papilles is definitely for those who love both drinking and eating. Very good wine selection. The price of the wine you drink here is the same as take-out. The food served here is in a bit rustic style but doesn’t dismiss its genuine deliciousness.

Open Hours: Tuesdays to Saturdays. Annual closed: August 1st to August 21st and January 1st and 8th.
Add: 30, Rue Gay Lussac, Paris 75005  (Map)
Metro:  Luxembourg
Tel: +33 1 43 25 20 79
http://www.lespapillesparis.com

Paris 75006

Le Timbre

Le Timbre

The Chef Chris Wright is from the UK. He runs this very small bistro Le Timbre with a very compact team. Last time when I had lunch there, he was alone at kitchen with a waitress taking care of the guests. Service is friendly. The millefeuille du timbre is very very good, please don’t miss it. It’s a bistro that you would like to visit from time to time if it was in your neighborhood.

Open Hours: Tuesday to Saturday. Annual closed – May 1st to May 7th, July 27th to August 23rd, and X’mas holiday.
Add: 3 Rue Sainte-Beuve, Paris 75006  (Map)
Metro:  Notre-Dame des Champs or Vavin
Tel: +33 1 45 49 10 40
Flickr Photo Set
http://www.restaurantletimbre.com

Le J’Go

J Go

J’Go serves southwest cuisine. The outdoor ambiance is very nice and lively. The service, honestly, is sometimes a bit disappointing (so please don’t expect too much). The food is very delicious though. Make sure you get the grilled duck heart, yum yum.

Open Hours:  Open 7 days for lunch and dinner.
Add: Marché St Germain, Rue Clément 75006 Paris  (Map)
Metro:  Mabillon or Odeon
Tel: +33 1 43 26 19 02
Flickr Photo Set

http://lejgo.com/

Paris 75007

Chez l’Ami Jean

Chez l'Ami Jean

The chef of Chez l’Ami Jean, Stephane Jégo is from La Régalade. Its Southwestern France style cuisine (from la Basque) is very hearty and delicious. Chez l’Ami Jean is renowned for its game specialty. The decoration is warm, rustic, and very Basque.

Open hours: Tuesday to Saturday. Closed on Saturday, and Sunday. Closed from July 25th. to August 20th
Add: 27, Rue Malar, Paris 75007  (Map)
Metro:  La Tour Maubourg
Tel: +33 1 47 05 86 89
Flickr Photo Set

Paris  75009

Spring

Spring's Chef Daniel Rose

The very talented chef Daniel Rose is from the US. Daniel Rose learned his cooking at L’Institut Paul Bocuse and then he went to work at Hotel Le Meurice. Spring has been a very popular bistro in Paris. It’s quite difficult to get a table there, because there’re only 16 seats at this place. It’s necessary to make a reservation in advance.

P.S. Spring will move to 75001 area in October. Please check the correct address when making a reservation.
Open hours: Tuesday and Wednesday (dinner only), Thursday and Friday.
Add: 28 rue Tour d’Auvergne, Paris 75009  (Map)
Metro:  Cadet
Tel: +33 1 45 96 05 72
Flickr Photo Set

http://www.springparis.fr

Paris 75014

La Régalade

La Regalade

This bistro isn’t located in the center of Paris, but it’s definitely worth a trip to go there. The chef is Bruno Doucet who bought La Régalade from the ex-chef/owner Yves Camdeborde who is the owner of Le Comptoir du Relais. La Régalade serves very hearty food and the ambiance is animating. Don’t miss its signature all-you-can-eat pork terrine and cornichons. My favorite dessert at La Régalade is “Souffle chaud au Grand Marnier”. You’ll regret if you didn’t try it.

Open hours: Monday (dinner only), Tuesday to Friday. Closed on Saturday, and Sunday. Closed from July 25th. to August 20th
Add: 49 Avenue J. Moulin, Paris 75014  (Map)
Metro: Porte d’Orléans
Tel: +33 1 45 45 68 58
Flickr Photo Set

During the last 2 months of my stay in France, Les Fines Gueules became one of my favorite venues to stop by – for a drink and for the good food.   The dynamic owner/manager Arnaud Bradol is an enthusiastic fan of bio-wine, or so called “natural wine”.  He is also fanatical about top food ingredients.  Here, he features the best suppliers including – Hugo Desnoyer for beef and veal, Jean-Yves Bordier for butter, Joël Thiébault for vegetables, Poujauran for bread.   Plus, the cave under the restaurant is another thing to make you “wow”.  More than thousands of wines are quietly lying there.

The restaurant is located in a building that used to belong to la Banque de France.   The building is elegant and tells its own history.   Nevertheless, when you walk in the restaurant, you don’t feel it is like other traditional wine bars or bistros in Paris – the interior design is a nicely calibrated mixture of contemporary and vintage touches.

There are no printed menus or wine lists.  They bring you a menu/wine list written on blackboards instead.  For the menu, I found they change the dishes quite frequently, but you can always find their signature dishes –

Assortiment de Charcuteries Fines

Entrée

• Assortiment de Charcuteries Fines
• Carpaccio de Veau élevé sous la mère, parmesan bio 36 mois et huile d’olive extra vierge

Fameux Tartare de Limousine au couteau grenailles et salade

Plat

• Fameux Tartare de Limousine au couteau grenailles et salade
• *Its carré d’agneau and fish dishes are also very good and worth a try.

So, about the wine, oui…!  If you didn’t try any wine here, you would leave feeling VERY sorry to yourself.  The first time I visited Les Fines Gueules with friends, Arnaud brought us a red wine which had been put in a decanter.   The first nose of the wine to me was eucalyptus, very fresh and quite spicy.  It’s so unique and intriguing.  The taste was also full of spices; the texture was pretty round.  It’s like a breeze gently brushing your cheek during summertime when drinking this wine.   It was not easy for me to figure out the region this wine belongs to.  I would guess it’s from the south France, maybe la Corse?  Or Languedoc-Roussillon?

Le Petit Domaine de Gimios Rouge Fruit

Finally, Arnaud brought the bottle to us, it’s a domaine called Le Petit Domaine de Gimios which produces only nature wine, no sulphur or SO2 added at all.   Plus, the vines here are all very old vines.  It is run by a 60+ year old woman named Anne Marie Lavaysse, who insists on using the most natural and organic methods for taking care of her vineyard. She maintains very low yield, which is only 10~14 hectolitres per hectare (hl/ha).  The grape variety of this wine Rouge Fruit contains Cinsault, Alicante, Grenache, Carignan, Aramon, and Muscat.   Besides this wine, I was also lucky enough to be comp’d with a glass of 1975 Château Pichon Comtesse de Lalande.  It was just splendid…!

At Les Fines Gueules, the wines are always full of surprises (good ones, of course) and the food is promising. Very relaxing and cheerful ambiance.  Free live Jazz concerts are performed here from time to time on Sundays.

Les Fines Gueules satisfies those with good palates and good tastes.  A truly cool place for those Hao Kou Fu people.

Les Fines Gueules
Address – 43 Rue Croix des Petits Champs, Paris 75001
TEL – +33 1 42 61 35 41
Hours –  Open 7 days for lunch and dinner.  Bar hour till late night.
Metro – Palais Royal, Bourse, Sentier, or Pyramide

More photos -