There are some restaurants that are truly worth the detour. Such is the case with Bidoche. Nestled in the trendy Jean-Pierre Timbaud street in the 11th arrondisssement, this place can be surprising at first glance. And with good reason: when you arrive at No. 7, you'll find a butcher's shop with, on one side, a delicatessen corner and, on the other, a stall showcasing several fine cuts of meat (beef, veal, lamb, pork and chicken). Behind the counter, we meet the very friendly and passionate Alexandre de Toulmon.
After several years in finance, this farmer's son finally decided to change direction and turn to the world of butchery. It was in September 2017 that he finally opened his establishment with a strong concept: to offer a quality neighborhood butcher shop on the street gable and, just behind it, slightly hidden, his restaurant!
We head down this little corridor to discover the restaurant, which seats no less than 30.
With its blue walls and red curtains, it's like being in a David Lynch film. But we've taken our place in Bidoche, the 11th arrondissement's new culinary hot spot.
Because, in addition to offering a strong concept and a warm, friendly place to eat, Alexandre also serves good food. Unsurprisingly, the star of the plate here is meat. The menu is divided into several sections. First, there's the excellent and generous plate of charcuterie to share between 2 or 4 people, selected by the butcher. On this particular evening, Alexandre was offeringGuémené andouillette, but also thin slices of ham, goose rillettes and garlic sausage, all at a more than affordable price: €9 a plate!
As for the main courses, there are several options: the dish of the day, or a vegetarian steak, or the famous Bidoche plate; a selection of 300-gram pieces of beef to grill for €24.
But most customers come to Bidoche to discover the formula by weight. The idea? Alexandre picks you up and takes you into the butcher's shop to select cuts. Offered by weight, they are then taken to the kitchen, grilled and served at your table with unlimited accompaniments (glazed vegetables, fries in beef fat and vegetable purée of the moment) and a choice of sauces (Chimichurri maison, Paloise or Bleue).
When it comes to meats, you can rely onAlexandre 's experience to guide you towards a particular cut. Between two explanations, he confides in us that he selects his meat with respect for the animal and quality, using the best livestock in France. These include Pré Salé du Mont Saint-Michel lamb, Bazadaise and the famous Limousine.
For my part, I let myself be tempted by a fine piece of Périgord pork chop, while my sidekick opted for a piece of leg of lamb and a fillet of tournedos.
It doesn't take long for our taste buds to go wild! Grilled to perfection and seasoned just right, the meat stands on its own. There's no need to overdo it with such quality!
And you only have to look around to see that the concept is a hit. The room is packed. At Bidoche, customers come and come again in search of quality meat and a friendly place that didn't take long to seduce the palates of carnivores in need of an authentic and original place.
Practical info :
Bidoche
Restaurant open Tuesday to Saturday, 7.30pm to 10.30pm
Butcher's shop open daily Tuesday to Friday, 9:30am to 1:30pm and 4:30pm to 10:30pm
Saturday 9:30am to 10:30pm and Sunday 9:30am to 1:30pm
7 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011 Paris
Reservations recommended on 09 81 12 59 81
Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.
Location
Bidoche
7 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud
75011 Paris 11
Recommended age
For all
More information
Restaurant open Tuesday to Saturday, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Butcher's shop open Tuesday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
