Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
€24-32; lunch & dinner Mon-Fri, 10am-7pm Sat & Sun; Gare du Nord)
, with decent bistro fare,
while just next door is the endearingly quirky
Pointe du Groin
.
BISTRO
PHILOU
noon-2.30pm & 8-10.30pm Mon-Fri; Jacques Bonsergent)
The walls at this swanky bistro are nearly 100% chalkboard, with the day's temptations writ
large. The brainchild of seasoned chef Philippe Damas - the man who founded
Le Square
Trousseau
- Philou steers away from the latest trends, preferring instead succulent French
comfort food prepared with top-of-the-line ingredients.
MODERN FRENCH
LES VINAIGRIERS
€21-23; noon-3pm & 7.30-10.30pm Tue-Sat; Jacques Bonsergent or Gare de l'Est)
This darling dining room, anchored by the vintage corkscrew staircase in the back and an
open kitchen facing the street, offers one of the canal's best-value lunch deals. The modern
French cuisine is excellent - think delicate pumpkin soup with mint and chèvre emulsion, or
orecchiette pasta with a rich white-wine-based cream of chicken. Reserve.
NEOBISTRO
ALBION
noon-2pm & 7-10.30pm Tue-Sat; Poissonnière)
Albion is the ancient Greek name for England and it's no coincidence that it's a mere five-
minute jaunt from the Gare du Nord, and, what's more, run by two affable English speakers.
But don't read into the name too much: this sleek new place is still very Paris, with bottles
of wine lining one wall, waiting to be paired with the modern cuisine.
NEOBISTRO
BISTRO BELLET
€28/36; 6.30pm-midnight Tue-Sat; Château d'Eau)
An energetic modern bistro, the Bellet doesn't stray far from the usual French standards on
the culinary front (steak with Béarnaise sauce, roasted cod and asparagus), but the slight al-
terations to the usual template - excellent natural wines, a cocktail list, and both early and
late-night service - have earned it plenty of praise among the out-and-about crowd.
