In this hushed pocket of the 16th arrondissement, tucked between the gates of Roland-Garros and the quiet avenues of the prestigious Villa Montmorency, L'Auberge des Crus is a bistrot in a lively neighborhood, genuine and free of contrived folklore. By noon, the place feels relatively calm, popular with regulars, local businesspeople, and nearby residents; in the evening, the atmosphere undergoes a radical transformation.
Tables fill up fast, bottles circulate, and conversations rise a notch, because here the wine is treated like a religion. The name of the House leaves no one fooled: the well-stocked cellar is one of the establishment's main draws. With more than 1,000 references, the selection pleases both seasoned connoisseurs and the simply good-time crowd.
The great French terroirs naturally claim pride of place here, but the restaurant’s passionate owner also knows how to champion lesser-known cuvés, chosen with taste and conviction. Friendly and affable, this sprightly Charles oversees his Auberge des Crus with the understated elegance of true Parisian restaurateurs.
The service, particularly consistently attentive, works wonderfully for business lunches, being both efficient and precise. But romantic encounters also have their place, especially thanks to a fireplace, lit as soon as the mercury drops in the thermometers, which adds a soft, hushed touch conducive to dinners with eyes locked across the table.
The decor also plays a big role in the venue's charm, with window curtains, chandeliers, wall paintings, and warm woods. Everything evokes the great French inns of tradition, without ever tipping into dusty, old-fashioned styling. In the kitchen, the same philosophy holds: a strong respect for the classics, with no needless flair or showmanship.
Here, you won’t find an endless menu like a touristy big-brasserie. The offering is deliberately focused on a handful of well-mastered essentials: escargots, leeks with vinaigrette, sausage purée or prime cuts of meat.
On our visit, it was hard not to be impressed by the massive slice of pâté en croûte that blends foie gras, veal sweetbreads, and poultry (14€). A generous starter, utterly indulgent, that immediately sets the tone.
On the other side of the table, L'Auberge des Crus also knows how to veer off the beaten path and peek at bistronomy, with spring soft-boiled egg (15€) accompanied by green asparagus, broad beans, and a bear's-garlic mayonnaise.
On the mains side, the pressed confit lamb (€35) with its French-style peas draws you in with depth, but the meal’s real highlight is probably the veal sweetbreads (€46), with its carefully reduced jus and the accompanying gratin dauphinois, served crackling and piping hot.
This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.
Dates and Opening Time
Next days
Thursday:
closed
Friday:
closed
Monday:
from 12:00 p.m. to 02:00 p.m.
- from 07:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Tuesday:
from 12:00 p.m. to 02:00 p.m.
- from 07:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Wednesday:
from 12:00 p.m. to 02:00 p.m.
- from 07:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Location
The Inn of the Crus
13 Rue Bosio
75116 Paris 16
Official website
www.aubergedescrus.com
