Just a stone's throw from the Place des Abbesses, touching base with its art deco alter ego, the Sancerre, opened a few months ago by the same manager, is Le Vrai Paris .
This bistro claims to be in the pure tradition of the Parisian bistro, minus the ham and butter. Red leather armchairs, waiters dressed in black and white and a deceptively old-fashioned menu - the architecture and decor of the place (designed by Emma Roux and Christopher Matignon) play a big part in this Parisian atmosphere.
The menu features classics such as onion soup, rillettes du Mans, chocolate mousse and burgers (yes, a burger is a classic these days too). As for us, we've fallen for the snails (9€ for 6), revisited without shells and bathed in a creamy sauce that we greedily sponge with a crusty baguette, and swallow as an aperitif. We accompany this with two house cocktails that we love, because they're well-balanced and ultra-fresh: Season's Smash (gin, seasonal fruit, 11€) and Pimm's Cup (Pimm's, lemonade, citrus and cucumber, 12€).
We continue with a tender lamb mouse, confit with garlic and served with mashed potatoes (18€) and the Vrai Paris burger (20.5€), dripping with cheddar. Ultra hearty and tasty, big eaters will be delighted. The desserts (lemon meringue pie, French toast, café gourmand and more) are a real treat...
But above all, what a terrace! It's rare to find one as large and as sunny as this one (except at neighboring Sancerre): a luxury that's priceless when all Parisians are out enjoying the warmth of the evening.
In a nutshell, Le Vrai Paris will appeal as much to tourists in search of French-style dishes that avoid rip-offs, as it will to Parisians fond of straightforward, generous cuisine.
Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.
Location
The Real Paris
33 , Rue Abbesses
75018 Paris 18
Official website
levraiparis-bistrot.com
More information
Open every day from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.
