Café Mirette, the excellent bistronomic restaurant with hidden terrace in Saint-Lazare

Café Mirette is Le bon plan hidden behind the Saint-Lazare train station in a sheltered, little-known passageway. There you can lounge, sheltered, in the middle of 8ᵉ, enjoy fresh, seasonal cuisine and, as a bonus, very affordable. Housed within the Pernod Ricard Foundation, which continually offers free exhibitions, this is the literary café you'll love to go to.

Don't look everywhere, Café Mirette is located where the Fondation Pernod Ricard used to be. In a hidden passageway, yet directly accessible from the Saint-Lazare train station, you'll find this nugget nestled in a sheltered alleyway, far from the hustle and bustle of Paris. This makes it an ideal spot to relax on a terrace, without the hassle of cars. It's also perfect for families who want to let the kids run wild while lunching or brunching in the sun. In summer, the terrace expands and takes over the passageway with its large parasols.

Heading up the Café Mirette kitchens is Franck Baranger, the bistro virtuoso who also treats us to Pantruche, Belle Maison, Caillebotte and, most recently, Coucou Café. Imagine café Lomi, a pretty library-library bathed in light, organic or natural wines, a few cocktails and seasonal bistronomic dishes, and you've got the picture. With a lunch menu at 23€ and brunch at 29€ on Saturdays, not only is it good, it's ultra-affordable! As you can see, it's the perfect place to enjoy a good, inexpensive meal just a stone's throw from the Gare Saint-Lazare.

With seasonal dishes on offer, the menu is constantly changing. So it's perfect to make it your canteen or to never get bored. On our visit, we were tempted by the Tataki of beef onglet with green olive and pistachio condiment, celery and anchovy sauce, and the deliciously crisp white asparagus with a delicious wild garlic coulis, accompanied by a gourmet Reblochon emulsion and a bread tuile as a starter. It's fine, the sauces and condiments wake you up, and you'll be asking for more.

For the main course, we let ourselves be tempted by the dish of the day, featuringlamb confit with carrot purée. We also opt for the Pulled Pork, which combines cornbread, cheddar, cream cheese, pickles and cumin. Great combinations, taste and pep, you'll have a great time on the plate.

For dessert, we opt for the vanilla candied pear with dark chocolate mousse, chantilly and chocolate gavotte, and the dish of the day, a moist walnut financier with cream, awakened by candied ginger, a lovely end to the meal.

Café Mirette is open every day except Sunday, from 10am to 7pm (with occasional late-night openings). Lunch is served from 12pm to 2.30pm. On Saturdays, the spot is open from 11am to 7pm, with a continuous brunch from 12pm to 3:30pm. How about a cup of coffee with a book in hand?