LES PAPILLES

This classic Bistroy Parisien came highly recommended and while it was not an eye opener by any means it deserves at least a place in the 'worth trying' category. Tucked away on Rue Gay Lussac it offers very homely comfort food via a house menu. The Manager .. he might even be the Owner .. Betrand Bluy is extremely hard working as we always seem to speak on the phone around 8am Paris time. He will be right there. One must book ahead and if are a smaller party on a weekend you have to pick either the 1st or 2nd seating. A party of 11 we were given the rustic basement private room, surrounded by wall to wall wine cabinets. One slight problem, the washrooms are also downstairs so we pretty much met every diner that evening ... 'pardon' 'pardon' 'pardon' ... infinitum!

Our starter was several generous plates of cured meats and 'rillettes de porc' accompanied by wonderful home made hard crust breads. The rillettes could only be made with either duck or pork fat as butter can never yield that unique flavor. We devoured this first course with gusto, probably too quickly. The main, as shown, is a city version of a classic Cassaulet. Like Wanton Noodles in Hong Kong or Chicken Rice in Singapore, there must be so many favorites and so many recipes across the country. I believe this one everyone can make at home though ; pork belly, smoky Pancetta, sausages (no duck leg confit here which to me is essential) over a bed of white beans slow cooked in onion, carrots, garlic, fresh and dried herbs and voila! I indulged in two servings and passed on dessert.

By the way Bertrand carries a wide selection of regional new wines which he is obviously proud. We asked for a classic Bordeaux red and was suitably convinced that 'that is not what you want' ... he recommended a couple of his labels to us instead, both drinkable but whose names I could not remember. Incidentally cost per head was almost the same as FLO about E80 and considering what our group ordered for dinner at FLO dinner at Les Papilles was not exactly inexpensive.

LES PAPILLES            
30 rue Gay Kussac
25005 Paris
(33) 1 43 25 20 79

www.lespapillesparis.fr