La Frasca: the cosy new bistro on Paris's Left Bank

There are certain addresses that leave a lasting impression on your mind and taste buds, making you want to come back again and again. Such is the case with La Frasca. Nestled in the capital's 6th arrondissement, right next to the famous Théâtre de l'Odéon, this new, modern bistro is sure to win you over.

First of all, there's the warm decor, with a beautiful open kitchen and the option of eating at the counter, as well as the large, bright room with wooden tables and chairs.

Then there's the sincere, smiling welcome that's so friendly, and that we'd like to see more of in the capital's restaurants.

Last but not least, there's the gourmet, home-cooked cuisine, using quality produce. The menu changes regularly according to the market and, above all, the chef's whims. The chef is the very likeable Roland Theimer. Of Italian origin on his mother's side and a true self-taught chef, he loves good produce, placing it at the heart of every dish. These include Normandy rib of beef, pavé d'échine de cochon fermier and filet de rouget Barbet du Finistère. All meats are of French origin, and products are sourced from responsible producers.

Inviting you to share (all dishes are also offered in small portions), the menu features a number of charcuterie specialties such as mortadella with pepper, Calabrian coppa matured with wild fennel and chilli, and the famous San Daniele ham.

Skip this appetizer and go straight for the excellent, perfectly seasoned horse mackerel tartare. A wonderful discovery with this fish that we're not used to tasting in tartar form.

The tasting continues with a delicious 'broutard' veal flank steak of Basque origin, sublimated by a sauce of fresh Beaufortain cheese and garlic. To accompany this piece of meat, we opt for a generous and gourmet gratin dauphinois with Scamorza on one side, and broccoli sautéed in garlic on the other.

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The Chef also concocts a delicious plate of beef tartare au couteau, spiced up with chilli and garnished with Pantelleria capers, one of his signature dishes. Mouth-watering explosion guaranteed!

Last but not least, we finish off with Kintoa's melt-in-your-mouth Boudin Basque, topped with honey mustard and pickles. A specialty we highly recommend!

To finish on a sweet note, we opt for panna cotta, with orange blossom and Buddha's hand. An original and pleasant surprise.

To accompany all this, La Frasca boasts a fine selection of natural wines, such as Nicolas Grosbois' South-Western wine, 'La cousine de ma mère'.

Drawing inspiration from Mediterranean cuisine, Chef Roland Theimer 's generosity and love of good produce really touched us. La Frasca is THE new, highly recommended address on Paris's Left Bank.

And for fans of Asian cuisine, Roland Theimer is also a true enthusiast of Vietnamese cuisine. After three dedicated evenings in December, La Frasca plans to offer other gourmet events featuring this delicious cuisine in the near future.

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