Address: 14 Rue Coquillière, 75001
www.aveyron.com/english/phbistro/AssietteUK.html
This is one of my favorite restaurants/bistrots ever, that I discovered a little bit late during my stay there. Located just at the corner of the street where I used to live, le Brasier then became one of the must eat places whenever I had a friend visiting. Located in Avenue Ternes, it serves a delicious, menu of the Savoy region in the Alpes. Once you enter, you will feel as if you are sitting in a war, wooden chalet in the middle of the Mountains.But I most liked about le Brasier, is that food is incredibly ready within few minutes. Obviously! Because you will have to cook your food yourself. Le Brasier menu is limited to cheese fondue, raclette, and steak. With your built in griller on the table, you will have to season your raw meat, grill it at your tasted, wait for your raclette cheese till it melts while you eat a baked potato, served with a selection of 3 different sauces. This is one of the most fun dining experiences you can ever have, while chitchatting with your friends on a cold Parisian night. It's just 5 minutes walk from the Arc de Triomphe, but in a less touristic area. So next time you are in Paris, don't miss it.
Address: 58, Avenue des Ternes, 75017, Paris
www.le-brasier.net
French cuisine might not be to the taste of some people, but who could resist authentic Italian food? ... The Volfoni is one of Paris gem. Boulogne-Billancourt might sounds like another city for those who don't know Paris, but it's actually easily accessed by the Parisian metro. With its glass walls that allowed plenty of sun in to warm your heart as much as the food, the themed black and white decoration and red bricks, brings you back to the good old times of the 50s, but still with a lofty contemporary design. Their oven cooked traditional pizzas are served white or red and with fillings at everyone's taste. My favorites was their pear and walnuts pasta in a creamy white sauce. It just melt in your mouth with the confusing but irresistibe mix of the salt, sweety pears and crunchy nuts. Another favorite is their black and white ravioli stuffed with vegetable. And if you still have some room in your stomach, get as an appetizer their special bruschetta with artichoke cream, and end it with the Tiramisu with amaretto. Buon Appetito!
Address: Corner 14/16 of Boulevard de la Republique, 92001 Boulogne-Billancourt
www.restaurant-volfoni.fr
At first, this little Japanese restaurant hidden in one of Boulogne main streets does look very impressive, neither the entrance, nor the interior design with its squeezed tables. I am not a big fan of Sushi myself, and the Egyptian style served in my country makes me even hate it more, with all these cheese, fillings and fried ingredients that makes it more like piece of marshmallow. But trust me, Parisian are crazy with Japanese food and this by far the most authentic Japanese cuisine you could ever get there. Although a bit minimalistic, the place is conceived as a traditional sushi bar that you can find in Japan. Start your meal with a delicious potato with crab salad and a cup of Sake (traditional Japanese drink). Beside the usual sushi, sashimi and Chirashi, I think it's the only restaurant that serves one of the most overlooked Japanese dishes: the grilled fish with salt, covered with and cooked in rice. You can choose between Salmon, Thon, Daurade and other types.
Address: 38 avenue Edouard-Vaillant 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt
http://restaurant.sanki.free.fr
I will not enter this debate of who owns Falafel, Hommous, or Tehina in the Middle East. For me food is universal. This is because when I was craving for some spicy, oriental plates from Egypt, I would go to the Marais area in Paris, and more specifically Rue des Rosiers which lies in the Center of the Jewish Quarter. There are plenty of falafel shops owned by the Arab community all over Paris, but I have the say that this was my favourite spot, in terms of cleanliness, food, presentation, everything. And yes, in case you wonder, they label it Jewish cuisine. But who cares.
If you go during the weekend you will find people standing in long lines just waiting for their turn to find a seat. As for what to order? Just the King Falafel special plate including pickled aubergine, falafel, kofta, shawerma, and tehina .... and yes some Salata Baladi (Egyptian green salad).
If you prefer to have a falafel sandwish on the go, still in Rue des Rosiers, don't miss l'As du Fallafel with their delicious pita bread filled with Falafel, Aubergine and Hommous. But be ready to stay for 40 minutes or more to get your sandwich. The waiting line is crazy.
King Falafel Palace: 26 Rue des Rosiers, 75004 Paris, France
L'As du Fallafel: 32-34 Rue des Rosiers, 75004 Paris, France
When you got stuck with all these paper works and deadlines at your Bureau/Office, there's no better escape for a quick lunch or apero than Au Bureau. A sophisticated English Pub/ Resto with a wide selection of finger foods, salads, burgers, charcuteries and of course, the famous Fish and Chips. My favorite is the Royal Potatoes Burger, including minced meet with an egg on the top. But instead of the traditional buns, the burger is served in the middle of two delicious potato pies. With each sandwich in the menu, you get a recommendation for the best kind of beer that goes well with the flavour. Around Christmas time, don't miss their sweet, reddish beer with cranberries.
Address: 14 boulevard de la République, 92100 Boulogne Billancourt
www.aubureau-boulognebillancourt.fr
The Grand Mosque of Paris is more that just a place of worship. Surprisingly, it's the only Mosque I've been to in the world which not only has a Souk of oriental crafts, a Hammam, but also a confortable Moroccan style restaurant and an outdoor tea lounge with delicious oriental delicacies. In week days, the restaurant is packed with tourists, the Arab community but also French people who come regularly to savour some of the best Moroccan tagines and Tunisian couscous in the city. My absolute favourite is the Merguez, a red lamb or beef stuffed sausages with lots of oriental spices that could be served together with a Tagine or simply in a sandwich with fries. When in Paris, the Mosque Restaurant is an absolute must if you want to add some 'spices' to your trip. Enjoy a lovely fulfilling meal, with flying birds indoor, then have your tea with frech mint and pieces of baklava in the outdoor area.
Address: 39 rue Geoffrey Saint-Hilaire - 75005 PARIS
www.la-mosquee.com Traditional Moroccan food at the Grand Mosque of Paris
An exceptional decor with real vintage cars, motobikes, oil bottles and much more, at Le Garage you can choose between a Chevrolet, Cadillac, Hummer Burger, opt for a traditional Italian Pizza, or if you dare, try one of the most typical French dishes, a Beef Tartare, served in different shapes and variety. It's a perfect place for a casual early lunch. For cars lovers, don't forget your cameras, you will find many pieces to contemplate and pose beside!
Address: 24 Boulevard de la République, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt
www.restolegarage.fr
Address: 44, boulevard Saint-Germain, 75005 PARIS
http://gladines-restaurant-paris.fr
This is one of the main French restaurant chains that you can basically find everywhere in France, but still undiscovered by tourists. The Hippopotamus serves delicious steaks. Unlike most French restaurants, usually very tiny, with tables placed very close to each others, Hippopotamus is more American when it comes to the design, very spacious and colorful. The ambiance is very pleasant for families and groups and specially for kids who will like the hippopotamus funny drawings everywhere in the place.Start with a French appetizer, like a frois gras or tomato tuna tartare. Their juicy steak, with special sauce and homemade French fries is one of the best you can have in Paris for a reasonable price. And end the meal with a light tarte aux pommes.
Address: Almost everywhere in Paris, so check the nearest restaurant to you on their website - www.hippopotamus.fr
One of my favorite spots to have a good meal in Paris is le quartier Saint Michel. This is a very vibrant area in the city, always crowded specially with young students. Some Parisians will consider it a bit touristic, but for sure much less touristic than the Champs Elysees and surroundings. You can find plenty of French restaurants in the area as well as international and Mediterranean cuisine. One of the stereotypes about French people is that Frogs legs is one of the essential dishes on their table. However, frogs are not so easy to find in Parisian restaurants these days. Apparently there's a kind of restrictions on frogs hunting, that you will find it in very few restaurants. Snails however is in every French restaurant. So if you have the gut to give it try, go to Le Marmiton de Lutece. They also serve fois gras, confits de canard and raclette, some of France main specialties.
Address: 6 Rue Saint-Séverin, 75005 Paris
www.lemarmitondelutece.fr