The ultimate comfort food, cordon bleu is one of those dishes that everyone can agree on. A veal or poultry cutlet, ham, melted cheese, golden, crispy breadcrumbs... In theory, there’s nothing complicated about it! But making an excellent cordon bleu takes real know-how, from choosing quality ingredients to getting the cooking just right.
Its name evokes French gastronomy, but its origins are more nuanced. The modern cordon bleu, stuffed with ham and cheese and then breaded, is in fact associated in particular with Swiss and German culinary traditions! Over time, it has become a staple of home cooking and brasseries, eventually becoming a must-have on bistro menus!
Today, the cordon bleu is getting a makeover. Some chefs opt for free-range poultry, carefully selected ham and a characterful cheese; others go for a generous thickness, homemade breadcrumbs or a rich sauce. But in every case, the challenge remains the same: to achieve a crisp coating, tender meat and a filling that stretches without making the whole thing soggy.
In Paris, the search for the best cordon bleu is on! From traditional recipes to more ambitious takes, here are the best spots to find the most irresistible versions of this comfort-food classic comfort!
Clos, the chic bistro hiding a cocktail bar in Paris’s 8th arrondissement
Opposite Biche, Michel Puech’s first restaurant, Clos cultivates a hushed atmosphere away from the bustle of Paris. A chic bistro with a French touch, where classics sit alongside dishes from further afield, it’s a place to come for lunch or linger over a cocktail. [Read more]
Côtelette : the rooftop bistro at Printemps Haussmann, we put it to the test
Côtelette, the new bistro at Printemps Haussmann, has moved into the 8th floor of Printemps Homme in the 9th arrondissement. Eggs with mayonnaise, beef bourguignon and lamb cutlets are enjoyed with a view of the Eiffel Tower—an inviting spot to combine classic French cooking with a stunning panorama in a convivial setting. [Read more]
La Petite Marguerite, the bouillon that's winning over Seine-Saint-Denis
Nestled on Rue du Plaisir in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, La Petite Marguerite is a neighborhood bistro that pleases Seine-Saint-Denis with a generous, brasserie-style menu and prices as friendly as you’d expect, with dishes that are all homemade. [Read more]
Currently, a stunning vegan restaurant that masterfully reimagines classic bistro dishes with flair and deliciousness
Following the success of their vegan concept store Aujourd'hui Demain, Cheyma Bourguiba and Raphaël Francisco are launching Présent, a plant-based bistro, also located in the 11th arrondissement. This new spot boldly reimagines traditional meat dishes in a fully plant-based format... and the results are truly impressive! [Read more]
La Brasserie des Arts, authentic Parisian brasserie by the book
With its own take on the great French classics, Brasserie des Arts is fast becoming an institution in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district. A true Parisian brasserie, with attentive service to boot! [Read more]
Amonē, Paris' first cordon bleu bar
You're not dreaming: a cordon bleu bar has just opened in Paris. It's called Amonē, and it's in Montmartre! [Read more]
Loup, the 1st arrondissement brasserie that celebrates homemade food
At Chez Loup, the large brasserie in the 1st arrondissement open all day, a young chef has chosen to give pride of place to home-made products, prepared with organic, seasonal and well-sourced ingredients. [Read more]
Find the locations of all these places by clicking on the map at the bottom of the article
