Aux Deux Amis in the 11th: Totally fun, totally good, totally delightful.

5.3 Aux Deux Amis, 45 rue Oberkampf in the 11^th, 01.58.30.38.13, closed Sundays (for now) and Mondays, has a lunch menu at 19.50 and wines by the glass and pot (14-20 €), and is a real throw-back bar/cafe to the 1970's Le Fooding says, but to me it looks more those of the 1950's.

Three of us went with no expectations except to have fun (two were new and wonderful "find" friends) and we did.  The "menu" is simple, straightforward and uncomplicated.  Today, there was a choice of three starters - Joel Thiebault's radishes with butter, a (probably Joel Thiebault) beet (that Madame had) and eggs mayo, which the other two of us had and all hit the spot.

The only main was duck breast with young carrots and spinach (maybe Joel T's too).  My duck was ordered blue and it was done to my exacting standards and the veggies were delicious, good enough to make one think of becoming a vegetarian, but banish that thought.

 

There were two desserts, the rhubarb pictured above (super) and lemon tarte (superb).  {What exactly is the difference between super and superb?}

The bill, with a liter of wine en carafe, sampled in two half liters, four coffees and rather OK bread was 98.50 E, thus 65.66 E a couple.

Go? Was it the Dustin Hoffman character who said "this is good, honest food?"  Well, this is.  Incredibly good products, cooked well and simply - with no bullshit, at reasonable prices.  Not Gagnaire's 12 courses, not Ducasse's gloss, not Robuchon's finesse; just good chow.

N.B. At night they have oysters, lots of Basque/Spanish ham, chorizo, sausage, etc., and I'll bet this tiny place in trendy Oberkampf rocks.  I'd posit that it moves the earth as much as Avant-Comptoir.

Comments

[Willy Dalton]

I'm coming to Paris in November--arriving Fri 11/27, departing Tues 11/30. Just realized most restaurants are closed on Sun & Mon. I've been coming almost every year since I first gigged with the Cuban percussionist, Daniel Ponce, at Les Halles in 1989. I'm staying in the 11th this time. I will try Le Repaire de Cartouche or Bistro Paul Bert (been there) for Saturday and I will go to Le Baron Rouge and the food market on Sunday but can you recommend some other places that may be open Sunday and Monday night. Thanks--Willy

[John Talbott]

Have you checked my "Summaries Sunday" section on the upper left. There I've listed my favorites for all these days.

[Paris Bobo]

Loved it, loved it! Thank you for recommending cool places like this.