Le Vrai Paris: Montmartre's new "franchouillard" bistro

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Published by · Photos by · Published on June 21, 2018 at 10:56 a.m.
With its huge terrace and pink flowers in the front, Le Vrai Paris is an eye-catcher for anyone passing through rue des Abbesses. We went to try out this new French bistro for you.

Just a stone's throw from the Place des Abbesses, touching base with its art deco alter ego, the Sancerre, opened a few months ago by the same manager, is Le Vrai Paris .

This bistro claims to be in the pure tradition of the Parisian bistro, minus the ham and butter. Red leather armchairs, waiters dressed in black and white and a deceptively old-fashioned menu - the architecture and decor of the place (designed by Emma Roux and Christopher Matignon) play a big part in this Parisian atmosphere.

The menu features classics such as onion soup, rillettes du Mans, chocolate mousse and burgers (yes, a burger is a classic these days too). As for us, we've fallen for the snails (9€ for 6), revisited without shells and bathed in a creamy sauce that we greedily sponge with a crusty baguette, and swallow as an aperitif. We accompany this with two house cocktails that we love, because they're well-balanced and ultra-fresh: Season's Smash (gin, seasonal fruit, 11€) and Pimm's Cup (Pimm's, lemonade, citrus and cucumber, 12€).

We continue with a tender lamb mouse, confit with garlic and served with mashed potatoes (18€) and the Vrai Paris burger (20.5€), dripping with cheddar. Ultra hearty and tasty, big eaters will be delighted. The desserts (lemon meringue pie, French toast, café gourmand and more) are a real treat...

But above all, what a terrace! It's rare to find one as large and as sunny as this one (except at neighboring Sancerre): a luxury that's priceless when all Parisians are out enjoying the warmth of the evening.

In a nutshell, Le Vrai Paris will appeal as much to tourists in search of French-style dishes that avoid rip-offs, as it will to Parisians fond of straightforward, generous cuisine.

Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.

Practical information

Location

33 , Rue Abbesses
75018 Paris 18

Route planner

Official website
levraiparis-bistrot.com

More information
Open every day from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.

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