Les Fabricants: the restaurant with comforting, generous and affordable dishes

Who says you have to break the bank to get a good restaurant in Paris? Today, we'd like to introduce you to a good address that proves just the opposite. Head to the capital's 11th arrondissement, at 61 rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, to discover Les Fabricants, a casual eatery that's become a veritable institution in the neighborhood.

The setting is typical of a Parisian bistro: long benches, wooden tables, a large counter and slates on the wall. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. This address, as well known to Parisians as it is to foreigners, brings us together in the love of Southwestern specialties. The team is clearly driven by a passion for the restaurant trade, and offers a warm welcome with a great sense of humor, and their good humor is contagious.

The à la carte menu offers affordable prices and comforting dishes. For those on a tighter budget, the potatoes on offer between €5 and €11 are a real bargain for a generous plate at a low price and without judgment. We're promised homemade cuisine with the option of adapting to different diets: vegan, allergy sufferers, gluten-free, etc. Here, everyone is welcome to enjoy a good time. The restaurant doesn't take credit cards, but you can pay in cash, luncheon vouchers or cheques!

In view of the generosity of the dishes, the team doesn't hesitate to warn you if you're in danger of eating more than you can handle, a responsible approach to both the customer and food waste. Of course, doggy-bagging is also an option. As far as drinks are concerned, the wine list is very affordable, costing no more than around twenty euros for a bottle, and you'll be told straight out, but not without a sense of humor, that "for the classier wines, it's on the slate".

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One of the stars of the menu is theescalope de veau Montagnarde, a dish in sauce made up of several layers: first, a bed of fine potatoes, on which the piece of meat rests, accompanied by a dollop of cantal cheese on a layer of country ham, all covered with a mushroom sauce. A monstrously tasty must-have, especially for those cold days!

And since we're in the South-West of France here, duck lovers can be sure to find something to their liking! Whether pavé, gizzard, magret or confit, it's up to you to choose how you'd like to enjoy this strong-flavored poultry from France. For us, it's a confit leg with melting flesh, accompanied by porcini mushrooms, a salad and the restaurant's signature potatoes.

When it's time for dessert, it's all about comfort, with an offer that's both gourmet and regressive: Île flottante, chocolate mousse, Basque cake and crème caramel all vie for the limelight. The clafoutis of the day, in this case with mango and raspberries, is the perfect choice, and we're not skimping on the fruit! With its soft, melt-in-the-mouth texture, yet sufficiently firm, it shows a level of recipe mastery that could overshadow the cooking of our grandparents.