Le Sancerre: the Art Deco revival of the Abbesses brasserie

Perhaps you've already sat down at this Montmartre brasserie on rue des Abbesses: Le Sancerre. If you thought it was old-fashioned, you'll be pleased to know that the establishment has just undergone a complete overhaul!

It has to be said that, just with its leafy frontage and sunny terrace, the Sancerre is a real eye-catcher. And when you step inside, you're not disappointed. A midnight-blue ceiling adorned with large chandeliers, lacquered green tables, touches of gold all over the place, we're back in the heart of the Roaring Twenties. Claiming its Montmartre tradition, the Sancerre has taken on all its codes, right down to the waiters' livery.

However, this traditional Parisian brasserie style does not extend to the plate. Indeed, despite a fine selection of meats, the menu doesn't include boeuf bourguignon or blanquette, but coquillettes with truffles (18.5€), gambas a la plancha (19.5€) or croustillant sweetbreads, also a la plancha (28.5€). Our neighbors' highly original tapas-style platters also catch our eye, confirming that the cuisine here is modern.

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After two excellent cocktails (around €10), we opt for a burratina (€10.5), a vegetarian risotto (€16.5) and truffle pasta, followed by a café gourmand (€9.5) and a chocolate mi-cuit, more melting than ever (€8). The cuisine, if not top-notch (at the same time, we're not here for that), is very honest and generous, but could probably lose a few euros on the à la carte menu. The only hitch in this dinner is the service: although friendly, it's rather rushed (our dishes are brought to us at the same time as our cocktails) and rather head-in-the-clouds (a piece of ham is lying around in the vegetarian risotto).

To sum up, we go there for a good cocktail on the terrace, for the Art Deco style, for the brasserie cuisine, but not necessarily for an out-of-the-ordinary experience!

Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.