5.9 Le 6 Paul Bert, 6 rue Paul Bert in the 11th, 01.43.79.14.32, closed Saturday lunch, Sunday and Monday, (Metro: Faidherbe-Chaligny) Is a place I’ve always liked and a friend who lives nearby alerted me that there was a new chef, so I thought I’d try it with another friend who used to live not far away. The neighborhood seems very different than decades ago when the original Bistro Paul Bert and Temps au Temps opened, there must be 8 restos a stones throw away, ripped jeans and baskets are de rigeur and among the tongues I heard was a definite “nyet.”
I entered a bit before my friend and realized this was one of those places where the tables were so jammed together, you were almost eating in your neighbors' lap and hearing their every word. But I had a glass of excellent white Loire and read my paper, where I learned absolutely nothing. Once she arrived we both agreed to have the fried octopus (I thought they were rubbery on the inside, overcooked on the outside, but she said hers were perfect). They came with a spicy sauce and lovely baby aubergines.
Then she had a nice piece of merlu and I had what I would call shredded, confited and wrapped round of lamb’s leg, which I know didn’t come from Metro, but could have.
Finally we ordered what sounded like classic American picnic desserts, a cheese cake and carrot cake. But they were neither Americanesque nor French but creations the Japanese chef, who came from the Costes Chez Julien, turned out, and they saved the meal for me.
A word about the service. In the sense of the kitchen turning out the dishes in a timely manner, it was awful. In the sense of friendliness, attention and helpfulness, they get full marks.
Our bill, with a bottle of wine, two coffees and two 22€ (your eyes aren’t failing you, 22€) 3-course “menu’s,” our bill was 85€. Great bread but horrendous noise that broke my decibel-meter.
Go? I’d certainly send my backpacking grandkids, for 22€?
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