When you are in Paris, there are many things to do. And many places to do it. You can be on the Left Bank or the Right Bank. You can be in the North or in the South. You can be there to see the arts and museums, and landmarks. Or you can be there to shop. And, naturally, you are there to eat. And eat, you can do. Paris is a place with many cultures and styles, and tastes. It all depends on what you want to eat and what you want to pay. It is your choice.
Many visitors try for the ultimate in high-end restaurants. Places with long lines and high prices. They expect a certain level of food, variety, and what is available. We have all done that. But sometimes it is smart to have a recommendation or two from someone who does live in Paris. They will see what you want and make recommendations of places they will go to for dinner. They will know of the tourists but still recommend what is typical for even someone who lives there. It is typical French cooking in a very typical way.
Welcome to Bouillon Chartier Restaurant in Paris.
The Bouillon Chartier restaurant embodies a singular spirit and the history of a unique dining craft. Waiters dressed in black round jackets and crisp white aprons waltz among the tables serving classic French dishes to everyone, no matter who you are. They will serve the food. You need to accept something very traditional and common amongst the French. It is truly classic. Check them out on Instagram.
WAIT TO STEP IN AND EXPERIENCE.
Our friend who grew up in Paris recommended we come here to the location on the Grand Boulevards. The tables are close together. Two people can sit at a table for 4 with another couple already there. The place is packed and moving fast. The waiters will give you the menu and provide water if required. If you need a cocktail or a bottle of wine, they will bring that to you quickly. And, in France, a bottle of wine is typical for dinner.
As we look over the menu, we know instantly what we want to have even before we enter through the doors. The waiter came back and took the order on the tablecloth covering our spot. This way we know, and he knows, what we will have.
Placing our order, we had to wait. But it does not take long with the waiters, the team, and the crowd of guests. This is French dining as it was for a long time. This is not fine-dining. This is the dinner everyone would have at home or in a local place.
For us, the bottle of red wine was brought to the table, and we poured a glass. Bread was also placed next to us. Finally, out came the appetizer. In this case, we ordered a true classic. The Escargot. These are the edible snails, which are a popular French delicacy. They are often served as an appetizer, typically prepared with garlic and butter. The shells are often kept with the snails for serving, and specialized tools like snail tongs and forks are used for eating.
With a fork in hand, and the tweezers to hold the shell it was time to take out the snail. Cooked perfectly, it was covered with butter and garlic. It took no time to eat 6 of these. They were large and tasty. Of course, the best part is when you break the bread up and dip it into the remaining butter and garlic. This is what it truly is about. The taste, aroma, fragrance, and touch are ideal with each bite. Even one of the snails is finished. This reminds you of Escargot. It is very typical of France.
Once complete, we had to wait for the next course.
A COURSE TO REMEMBER.
First up was a true classic again. This was the Beef Bourguignon. Very much what to expect when stepping into a local place. My mother used to make this, so I always knew what to expect. It is made with beef, bacon lardons, carrots, onions, and mushrooms, slowly cooked in a rich red wine sauce. The beef is soft and perfect., The flavor is ideal. The taste is what to expect. This came with a dish of noodles on the side that are used for dipping the beef covered with the sauce into. It is a great combination to enjoy.
Next, we also had the Duck confit. This is using a duck that is cooked slowly for a long period of time, thanks to the protective, air-blocking seal formed by the rendered fat in the duck is submerged and cooked in. The duck is soft, tender, and moist. It is served with small potatoes and fresh string beans and is very typical. Again, a classic meal to enjoy with a glass of wine and some more bread.
This is a special course to remember as you are eating in a traditional French restaurant that has been around since the late 1800s. The place is the same. The recipes and the food are the same. You are eating classic French style. Not something that was recreated for today.
A FINAL STEP TO TAKE.
The dessert of choice was again very traditional. French Rice Pudding. It is a creamy French classic rice pudding recipe made on the stovetop and is the perfect dessert with a crunchy almond topping. There was also a touch of vanilla for extra taste. And to make it better, this was placed over a sliced piece of lemon cake to enrich the flavor. Again, it is the way my mother would make this and that brought back the memories of what I used to have.
It is rich, creamy, tasty, and different. It is not the type of rice pudding you imagine. This is the French way of making it, which is always different.
Naturally, espresso helped finish the meal.
A TASTE FOR THE PAST, IN A STYLE TO RECALL.
The Bouillon stands for traditional, simple, and hearty cuisine, made possible by quality producers and artisans. This is an immense dining room with its brightly lit mirrors, hanging chandeliers, surfaces in sculpted wood and gleaming copper, and even the rack of little drawers where regulars would keep their napkins back in the old days. Combine with the recipes and the meals, and you have the taste from an era when things were made simple and basic. It is a taste to remember.
The team at Bouillon Chartier restaurant is professional. They know what to do. They are just as you would find the team back in 1898. They know what to do: Move fast. And listen to what you have to say or request. The cooks are at the top of the grade, knowing how to cook in the classic style with the traditional recipes. The portions are fine and typical. The price is ideal. This is basic French cooking. This is not fancy. It is what to expect when you travel off the main street in Paris.
In the end, the Bouillon Chartier restaurant is truly Paris.
Location:
Bouillon Chartier
7 rue du Faubourg Montmartre / 75009 Paris
Phone: 01 47 70 86 29
“The Jaded Traveler”. Ron Rossi was born and raised in New York. A globalist at heart, Ron is a marketing director by trade, and has lived and worked around the world including Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America. Food is one of the best ways to learn about a country, a people and a culture. So, Ron is always looking for the best in mid-range to budget and street food. He is always on the hunt for a good meal anyone can afford. It is the food of the average citizen that excites him. And with having visited close to 100 countries on 6 continents so far, there have been some pretty good meals.
