Les Pères Siffleurs: the friendly, ultra-gourmet bistro in Paris's 15th arrondissement

The ^15th arrondissement isn't usually the most popular place for Parisians to go out, and some even shun it. The proof is in the form of Les Pères Siffleurs, a lively bistro that's well worth the detour, and highly acclaimed by local residents.

However, things didn't begin auspiciously for Les Pères Siffleurs. The restaurant welcomed its first customers in 2019, just before Covid struck. But founder and manager Philippe Polla held firm. And rightly so. Today, his restaurant is never empty. We discover it this Wednesday evening during our visit.

It has to be said that the place is not lacking in assets. First, there's its location, on an ultra-quiet square facing theSaint-Lambert church. Then there's the lovely terrace, open in fine weather and much in demand, as well as the lovely upstairs room (ideal for groups) and that oh-so-warm welcome.

Inside, the establishment also appeals to the eye with its lively bistro decor, featuring a selection of antique objects, including this large Darth Vader figurine. Above the zinc counter is a nod to the Montreal Canadiens field hockey team, Philippe Polla's hometown. A Quebecker by birth, Philippe Polla gained a wealth of experience after completing his CAP at the Ferrandi school. He was in charge of L'Os à Moelle for six years. Finally, in 2001, he opened Le Troisième Bureau in Paris, followed by Les Pères Siffleurs in 2019.

As for the menu, once again we're won over by dishes that change weekly for the lunch menu, and seasonally for the dinner menu. So, what's on the menu? Bistronomic-style cuisine, with an emphasis on market produce and Japanese inspiration. In the kitchen, Japanese chef Shunsuke Takano leads the way. Shunsuke Takano is far from a novice, having worked at Michelin-starred ERH and Sola in the 5th arrondissement. The result? The menu is mouth-watering, as are the dishes, in which sauces play an essential role and quality products are used (meat from La Poularde Saint-Martory and Seguin Gastronomie, cheeses from Fromagerie Delon...).

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The tasting begins with a first favorite: the succulent, melting zuké of marinated red tuna, accompanied by thin slices of cucumber and crunchy radishes, and a few notes of ginger and yuzu to give the dish a perfect twist. Opposite, lightly fried king prawns and large Padrón peppers, also fried. Accompanied by a tahini sauce and spicy Saté. An explosion on the palate, and once again, a favorite!

We continue with the delicious snacked octopus, with its mashed potatoes, lightly braised Chinese cabbage and chorizo oil for even more deliciousness! We also love the ultra-generous Iberian rack of pork, with its corn kernels and grilled romaine lettuce, roasted pommes grenailles and incredible truffle jus. To die for!

We couldn't stop there, so we went for the desserts. If you're a cocoa lover, you'll love the chocolate moelleux with its roasted pineapple, spiced crumble and surprising Timut pepper ice cream. Crunchy, melting... it's all there! We also recommend the cream cheese terrine, which is a cheesecake with yuzu custard and grapefruit ice cream.

To accompany all this, the bistro gives pride of place to natural wines from Bordeaux, the Loire, Beaujolais and the Rhône Valley.

In the end, you'll leave this address with a furious desire to return! So, are you ready to fall under the spell of Les Pères Siffleurs?

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.