ALLARD - PARIS

ALLARD - BISTRO DEPUIS 1932

“The friendly and generous cuisine of the bistros is a treasure of the French gastronomy”

-Alain Ducasse

As we walked through Pairs on a rainy January afternoon, we started to get a little snappy with each other. We were hungry and we wanted a glass of wine! There are plenty of quick eateries in Paris and plenty of grand and expensive ones too, we wanted to be sure that we chose well and we wanted to be sure that we ate well.

As I passed Allard, I was drawn in by the NYC illustration on one of their menu. After all, one of our favourite ‘French bistro’ experiences had been in NYC years ago at Anthony Bourdain’s Les Halls. So I was intrigued.

As I peered through the window and as I read through the menu, I could see that this was one of those goodies. The classic French bistro that had kept its classic appeal. It still used its fine cutlery and bordered crockery. The glasses were ‘retro’ and quality and the waiters were immaculate and often a bit older and FULL of character.

We decided to give it a go.

We sat down at a well laid table and were promptly offered a drink. e treated ourselves to a celebratory glass of classic Veuve and followed it with a glass of Burgundy.

The bread was crunchy and fresh and the butter salty! (thank goodness)

We decided to keep it simple (and affordable) and opted for the traditional Menu du Jour. Beouf Bourguignon followed by Illes Flottantes. We wouldn’t normally have gone for something quite so traditional but it seems like the time and the place to do so.

The boeuf was full of flavour and felt apart when you ate it. The carrots perfectly cooked and of course it went down very well with a good glass of Burgundy.

Dessert was as expected, very tasty, nothing spectacular but I am not sure that Illes flottantes ever can be that. We sat and relaxed and chatted and were charmed but the somewhat eccentric waiter.

A lovely and very pleasing Parisien experience.

41, rue Saint-André-des-Arts
75006 Paris