Kitchen Galerie Bis

Kitchen Galerie Bis is wanna-be-fancy spot, as the name suggests. Almost artsy in a light, colorful way, the place looks elegant at first, once you enter. The kitchen is hidden behind a glass pane at the end of the room, where the doings of the chefs are exposed for the curious. The place aims to please at the same time, the French-Asian kitchen fanatics (of which Paris is surprisingly full) and people feeling at ease with easy accessible designs. I'm not in either of those categories, but was lead to the place by the numerous good reviews.

However, the food is not at artistic heights. And sometimes it seemed that classical deeds of craftsmanship and savoir-faire were lost too. The ideas behind the small consommés and the too extensive use of roots and other - often raw - vegetables were rarely clear, and in any case not successful. Portions in the tasting menu were not proportionate. The level was simply quite far from what you would expect for a restaurant approaching gastronomical price levels.

A pity. But the bar on the other side of the street can help cheer you up in case you end up going despite my strong advice of the opposite...

Evi Evane

If you really want to go out for Greek food when in Paris, where to go? Evi Evane is one of the places. Despite the very central location around Saint Germain and Mabillion, the place is very reasonably priced and things are good. Like in Greece: Not sophisticated or extravagant, just simple and well prepared. A very nice and cosy place. Challenge yourself and try the greek wine - it's actually quite decent. 

Bouillon Racine

Bouillon Racine is in the category of old style classically elegant boulevard brasseries of the rive gauche. Very decorative, and despite some kaleidoscopical interior design anachronisms, the place is most definitely charming. The staff is friendly and attentive, perhaps because the number of american tourists raise the average tips to something way way beyond the quite moderate Parisian standards. The menu is classical, but not quite as well executes as it should be.

www.bouillonracine.com

Point Bulles

At the Marche Saint Germain. An easy, light and delicate Champagne bar welcomes you: Point Bulles. The food is just as light and sparkling as you would expect. The tables outside are of course packed during the summer. Several very nice Champagnes can be found here, somewhat reasonably priced. Small elegant tasting dishes or larger plates to share. Although somewhat mixed and certainly not with the same sense of terroir as in the bottles. The food remains decent, and gain points on the ideas and the servings, rather than the preparation. And you simply just get delighted by sipping bubbles in this elegant part of Paris.

www.pointbulles.com

Le Bistrot du Sud-Ouest a Paris

A cuisine de terroir from the South. A traditional and not very Parisian place. The place to have well served duck and goose in all the ways you can imagine. An easy going restaurant, almost stagnant. With well-made duck...

www.sudestetcie.com

Rostand

After a Saturday stroll in the Jardin Luxembourg, Le Rostand is an obvious choice for the afternoon tarte aux mirabelles or for the almost voluptuous Croque Madame. The place is classically arranged and service is good. Surprisingly cheap. They do also serve both lunch and dinner. Not the place for the afternoon glass of wine, though...

La Societe

La Societe is located as discrete as possible when the address is Place Saint-Germain. The restaurant is first of all highly elegant. An esthetic project, well implemented to the exclusive recruitment of an unusual high number (100%) of beautiful (and handsome for that matter) and well sculptured waiters. From this pleasant fact follows the next obvious fact, so are the customers. In the summer, a terrace is organized, smoothly maintaining a natural distinction between beauty and all the rest of it. The food is also sharp - of course.

www.restaurantlasociete.com

Coffee Parisien

Coffee Parisien is a hangout for French US addicts and others as well. With some style elements from a US burger bar, the walls are covered with Elvis and JFK posters. The menu is simple, the prices are low, but the servings are decent. However, do not expect huge burgers american style - the sizes are considerably smaller. A nice bar desk is the place to hang out or to meet people. A place where you can stay for hours or just drop by for a quick burger.

Fish la boisonnerie

A cosy wine bar and bistro in the latin quarter. A somewhat modern kitchen, generally without attempting some of the more advanced neo-bistrot features. It is simple and decent. As the names suggests, the menu emphasises fish and seafood. Fish is also a wine bar and serves a number of very acceptable wines by the glass. The mix of customers is funny, although the anglo-saxon origins of the two patrons, particularly seems to attract English speaking ex-pats and tourists. 

Le Machon d'Henri

When you're around in the lively neighborhood of Saint Germain and Mabillion, you'll find Le Machon d'Henri among a list of more or less touristed places. However, they still perform well on some of the accent deeds. And the atmosphere is good and lively, neither pretentious nor expensive. Their selection of cuisine de campagne is honest, the lamb with apricots is good.