Phô 14

114 Avenue de Choisy

01 45 83 61 15

75013 Métro: Tolbiac‎

If you are looking for good pho, and are not in a rush to sit down (but may be rushed to leave), then Phô 14 will be no disappointment to you!

Situated just a few steps away from the métro Tolbiac on line 7 in the 13th arrondissement, Pho 14 is one of the most popular phô places of Chinatown. It is rare to be able to walk into this restaurant without waiting. At lunchtime, the line will wind around the outside terrace. Even during the weekday diners, I hear it is packed. In any case, it's popular for a good reason. It's affordable and it's good.

A "Special Phô" (beef, tripe, boulettes de viande) is only 8.50€. The service is fast and efficient, but may be a bit "too fast" for those who are new to the phô concept. It was no later than 1 minute after having viewed the menu that a server appeared, hustled, to take my order. I had a feeling that this was the kind of restaurant where you don't pass up an awaiting waiter, so I ordered the first thing I saw (a traditional phô). I took a jasmine tea as well (1.80€) and they brought the tea and water out right away.

There is not too much to say for the ambiance. Apart from a few paintings on the wall with asian characters (sorry, I can't dicpher them and in an effort to not be racist, I probably am being racist), and a mirror that runs along the wall, the walls are quite blank. The restaurant is not too big, mind you. There is a terrace and it is covered during the winter with heat lamps. What I did appreciate about this restaurant was that there was space. The tables were not all crushed together like most places in the 13th, with owners trying to fit as many people as possible in the little space they have. The tables were spaced comfortably. It is a loud place so don't expect to come here for a quiet romantic dinner. It's a hyper place, as most popular restos are in the 13th.

The soup and its accompaniments (onions, beansprouts, mint, basil, lemon) arrived between 4-5 minutes after I ordered. Again, very efficient. I suppose they have to be quick with all those people waiting outside. The broth was delicious, very flavorful and there were lots of noodles (I like when they're not skimpy). The beef was very tender and of good quality, not dry as often found at many wannabe real Vietnamese pho restaurants. You can definitely tell the difference between the meat served in this restaurant and the meat served at other hokey vietnamien/chinois/thalandais mixed restaurants. It hadn't been sitting around all day, one would imagine.

I was in and out the door in about 25 minutes. I even took some time to drink my tea. They didn't rush me either, after having finished my soup, but they are very fast and reactive at service. They do not take carte bancaire, so be sure to have cash on you. Apparently, they're open everyday from 9h - 23h.

Definitely a good discovery! I would highly recommend it to friends and would definitely return. The soups ranged from 8€ - 11€. There are other Vietnamese specialties on the menu, but their pho is the most famous. I'm not sure if I would ever get around to tasting their other plates.

Au Pied de Sacre Coeur

85 rue Lamarck, 75018

01 46 06 15 26

Metro: Lamarck-Caulaincourt 

Au Pied de Sacre Coeur is one of our favorite restaurants in Paris. It serves delicious French cuisine and adds original ideas to traditional platters.

Soupe a l'oignon gratinee

Located in Montmartre, it has a lovely ambiance of a small romantic restaurant, with warm lighting and mirrors on one wall - giving it the ideal "French" look. The menu reflects traditional French countryside cuisine with duck, rabbit, and beef. A favorite is their 'foie gras' which they do 'poele' (sauteed) and which you can also take as a main dish instead of an entree (just ask!). I love their 'soupe a l'oignon gratinee,' a classic and their 'magret de canard' - sweetened with orange. My partner loves the rabbit and their blackboard suggestions are always a good choice.

Magret de Canard

Foie gras

The service is friendly, just one waitress, and they don't snap at you if you ask for specific things. I asked for a side salad with my soup one time and there was no problem at all, she didn't even charge us for it! They also seem to have as large a English-speaking clientele as French so no worries if you haven't mastered the language.

Creme brulee

I suggest to make a reservation just in case as the restaurant is quite small and can fill up fast on the weekends. They are open everyday, except Monday afternoons. Prices are a bit more expensive then your normal weekday dinner, so you might want to save it for special occasions. Main dishes range from 15-20e (the foie gras at 13e) and desserts between 6-12e.

Tarte au pomme et poire

I would definitely recommend this restaurant for anyone looking for good French cuisine in Paris! It is quite a gem if you are looking to get away from the touristy places.

Pause Cafe

41 rue de Charonne, 75011

Metro: Ledru-Rollin

Pause Cafe is one of our favorite places to take friends who are visiting, with some exceptions. Located in the 11th just next to Bastille, it's tucked away in a smaller street away from the madness.

Tartare

Pause Cafe has a diverse menu and their food has never disappointed us, unlike their service. The reason we keep going back is because their food is consistently good. Some favorites include: thon a la plancha, piccata de veau, tartare, rumsteak, even their hamburger is good. The only thing I would stray away from is their risotto (small portion, just as expensive, and not exceptional impressive.) Everything else though is delicious and well presented! They have a "hands-down best" tiramisu (quoted from one of my visitors) which I must agree with.

Carpaccio

Prices range between 12-16e for a main dish and their blackboard suggestions are usually your best bet if you aren't sure what to get.

The only big downfall is their service. After they changed owners more than a year ago, their service has been inconsistent. Slow, forgetful, kinda racist (some dude bowed to my friend and I - definitely 'not OK') - their service is not the best. But hey! It's Paris so it's not the worst. Just something to be aware of before you go in case you are in a rush or are trying to show a good example of polite and efficient French restaurant service.

Piccata de veau

Plus, on Sundays, they offer a filling brunch for 19e (a bit pricey in my opinion but you do get a lot of food). I haven't tried it personally, but one of my friends has and said it was lovely. You start with bread and viennoiserie with the most amazing chocolate hazelnut spread (that is NOT Nutella) that I must go find for myself in a BIO food shop; then you get eggs benedict and salmon and fruit and bunch of other tasty dishes. Bref, worth a try!

Overall, I would recommend Pause Cafe to a friend because the food is tasty, they have a good variety of plates - including some French classics if you have visitors, their prices are reasonable and they are open everyday!

Leon de Bruxelles

30 boulevard des italiens, 75002

Metro : Opera

How many times have I seen posters for this restaurant? A dozen. Everyday actually in the metro. Has it interested me? Of course! Advertising does work! So we went!

Leon de Bruxelles is a chain restaurant, available in now three different countries - Belgium, France, and recently - the UK. They serve typical Belgium dishes and are most known for their mussels. That's what I got!

It wasn't alot, but it was good. The fries were decent and bottomless - which I haven't seen since I last was in America. I got a classic, moules a la mariniere whilst my partner got something not very classic, moules gratinee with a very strong cheese (sorry, I don't recall what it was). I had nothing to complain about but maybe it's because I am not a grand connaisseur of mussels.

The ambiance reminded me very much of an American restaurant. Themed. Large bathrooms, very clean, and home-like. It was odd to be in France and to have this kind of themed dining experience. I guess it's the classic "chain restaurant" trend.

Would I recommend this to a friend? Eh. If you seriously have nothing else to eat in the area and you find it, sure! It's not bad nor is it amazing. It's a good mussels and fries place, but nothing to get dressed up for or excited about.

Le Bar a Soupes

33 rue de Charonne , 75011

Metro: Ledru-Rollin

It has been some time since I have been going to "Le Bar a Soupes," but I am just now getting to my review because I finally remembered to take pictures of the soup before gulping it down in a matter of minutes.

Le Bar a Soupes is found in the 11th arrondissement, just off of  rue de Lappe near Bastille (the infamous bar-filled street). It is also next to another favorite restaurant, Pause Cafe (blog post to come).

This delightful and quaint restaurant may not seem to be much from the outside, but don't be fooled by it's modest outer appearance. The creativity and flavor will astound you.

As you can probably guess, this restaurant specializes in soup. And actually, only has soup (with the exception of a small choice of dessert or cheese). They make 6 soups daily from scratch, following their sacred book by Anne-Catherine Bley. I have never met this mysterious Anne-Catherine Bley I must admit. Each time I go there, there is the courteous server hailing from South Africa who greets us.

A real treat is to go during the evening to benefit from their menu of 3 soups. For around 7e, you can have three cups of soup with a bread. Not a bad deal! Plus, the soup is incredibly delicious, not to mention original. My favorites includes the bloody mary, anything with lentilles, gazpacho, and courgette au Boursin . Super yum. Basically, you will not be disappointed with anything you take.

For dessert, you can choose from cheese or they sometimes have fruit salad or chocolate cake. We are prone to take the chocolate cake which is served slightly warmed.

This very down-to-earth restaurant has been one of our favorites which we share when we have visitors. They have never been disappointed and have even walked out with purchasing their "bar a soupes" recipe book. 

I would definitely recommend to friends for a light evening meal in a animated quartier.

For more information, you can check out their website!

Fleurs de Mai

61 avenue Choisy, 75013

Metro: Porte de Choisy

With Chinese New Year coming up, I had an early craving before the crowds commenced in the 13th. Fleurs de Mai is a Chinese restaurant with all the requirements needed  : Chinese people serving other Chinese people with dead animals in the window. 

This is no "traiteur" I remind you, it's real Chinese food. They have a variety of dishes covering noodles, to soups, to duck laque, to fish and whole crabs. We always get their "liseron d'eau a l'ail," and their chow fun ("pates de riz saute - seches"). Their chow mein seems quite popular  - we saw several tables munching on noodles, and their fish dishes are quite good (like "poisson saute au gingembre"). Their Chrysanthemum tea is mild and sweet and they'll bring you a whole pot for 2 people for less than 3.50e.

This is no picturesque restaurant, it's small and crowded with paper covering over the table cloth and cracked plates. There is an upstairs that they use when it's busy, but it's still quite cramped. The waiter we have is always nice and the service is okay - not super fast, but not slow enough to actually complain.

Their main dishes are around 8.50 - 16 euros, and for 2 people we paid around 30 euros for 3 dishes with tea! It's a great sharing restaurant, as Chinese food should be! I definitely recommend it and will be back whenever I need to fill my craving!

Domaine de Lintillac

20 rue Rousselet, 75007

Metro: Duroc

On the search for good duck (I guess you could call it a type of "duck hunt"), I discovered "Domaine de Lintillac." Vegetarians beware, I don't recall having seen anything fit for your "gout" at this restaurant. But duck lovers, you have found your haven.

Duck is on the menu and duck is what they do best. The restaurant is located in the 7th arrondissement and we were able to benefit from a "reduction" of 20% found on the website lafourchette.com if you reserve online. This was not the only attractive thing they had to offer, the prices are more than reasonable, and the food was very good.

I went looking for a good duck restaurant to take my friends when they visit me, keeping in mind they probably don't want to shell out a pocketful to taste authentic "canard." Having found the majority of "the best" duck restaurants in Paris quite pricey, I was very enthusiastic to see what "Domaine de Lintillac" had to offer.

The restaurant is quite small but very cozy. The tables are decorated with red and white checkered tablecloths, giving a very countryside feel, as well as the rustic paintings and dried flowers hanging from the ceiling. They oddly have toasters at each table and although we never figured out why, we think it might had to do with the lovely array of foie gras on their menu. The server was very friendly and seemed to speak English quite well, as we overheard him serving a nearby American couple and their two young children. He hesitantly offered us the menu in English (seeing as we were talking Franglais at the moment) and later became a bit confused at which language to address us (whoops!).

Under the entrees you will find pates, rillettes and foie gras (of course everything is duck). They even had salads (with duck)! I took the "rillettes pur canard," which I spread on the provided toasted bread. It was very good, very flavorful, and a bit hearty - not too smooth - good texture! For the plat, I had the confit de canard, the same as our guest that evening, and my boyfriend took the magret de canard.

My confit was accompanied by patates sarladaises, potatoes drowned in garlic and parsley (that's a good thing), and a salad. The confit was excellent and it was mainly due to one thing that I had yet to find in Parisian resturants until this night. Crispy skin. You heard it. Golden crispy duck skin. Ohhh yeahhhh. It was heavenly. The duck wasn't too fatty (which I didn't know was possible) and was perfectly cooked. The magret de canard was delicious, and my bf adored the patates sarladaises.

To complete the dinner, our guest and my boyfriend took the "gateau au noix de Brive" - a walnut cake, speciality of the region, that was served warm with vanilla ice cream. It was very light, sweet and nutty, and the ice cream was a perfect complement.

Can you believe that a meal for 3 people, all composed of duck, one who took an entree, two who had taken desserts, and also a glass of wine cost less than 40e?? Ridic. I mean, ridiculously awesome. The plats were between 9-13e, my entree was less than 5e and the dessert less than 4e. You can't get any more right in this town!

I highly recommend this restaurant, especially if you aren't looking to pay the high price but are still looking for a satisfactory duck themed meal. Their website is found here and the discount we got was here (I'm not sure for how long this offer will last though). Although my initial goal was to find a great duck place to show to my visiting friends, I don't think we'll be able to wait before our next visitors come to town.