Backstory: when searching for a place neither a fellow blogger nor I had been to I suggested the Grand Bain in the 20th, "no, she reported, not open for lunch except Sundays," "when they probably serve dastardly brunch," said I, "no, roasts" she said. So there we go.
7.5 Le Grand Bain, 14, rue Denoyez (aka the street of many graffiti) in the 20th, 09.83.02.72.02 (Metro: Belleville) is open 7/7 for dinner but Sundays for lunch. I approached with some trepidation having been warned by a Chowhound expert that the music was deafeningly loud, something I hate. But the British chef did well at Au Passage so I felt in good hands.
But what the hell? They have a sort of unique menu for 27€, a soup, roast pig or lamb and dessert, but for 8€ more you got three oysters. Sounded good to me.
The oysters were the right way to start the meal and the bread with them and butter were better than average. Then they brought over the white asparagus with peas soup, my oh my, really good but too much, so I backed off. The two very thin slices of lamb, not mutton thank Buddha, were excellent, especially with a superb compote of apples, and a huge three sided Wellington, yummy roasted/fried potatoes, ok undercooked broccoli and peas, as well as mustard. I finished up with quote "strawberries and cream" unquote - the charming waitress spoke English to the couple beside me and the chef in English, so - while her companion, when focused, was nice but when occupied with chatting up a pal, was oblivious to hand-waving.
With a half bottle of wine, no bottled water and a extraordinarily good coffee, my bill was 53.50€ or 107€ a couple. DB's=84.6.
Go? Hummmm. While the music was, as my friend said, too loud, it was the American songbook plus Janis Ian, so if you're 25-35, en route to old age hipsterism, gay or just in the mood for good affordable food and wine, this place is for you.
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