It becomes quite evident when looking at the list below, how I like to eat when I’m out and about ! Living in an area that has only a few good restaurants and very little variety in the style of cooking, I do eat a lot of “non French” food when away from home as I miss that from growing up in Vancouver. The presence of natural wine pulls me back to a more modern style of fresh, seasonal food or sharing plates as well. Therefore my list is a bit eclectic ! For the more “exotic” restaurants (Asian, North American, Middle Eastern, Indian etc…), my criteria is home made and TASTE, for the others I expect more from the quality of the ingredients, seasonality and a good natural wine list.
PARIS
Hakata choten 1ère: Very good ramen using homemade broth ! If its too hot out for soup other things are good too especially their Gyoza (try the one covered in chili sauce !
Raviolis Nord Est 1ère: Home made dumplings. Tiny place but cheap, cheerful and very good.
Frenchie to go 2ème: I’ve tried breakfast and coffee here. Great quality and North American inspired menu. Think breakfast sandwich, eggs benny and reuben or pulled pork sandwiches. Located on the funky Rue du Nil with a restaurant and wine bar with the same name.
Hokkaido 2ème: An old favourite (found as they are open sunday night !) in the Japanese area of Paris. Reasonably priced menus. Great Gyoza and noodles (big portions).
California canteen 3ème: Takes me right back to North America !
Krishna bhavan 10ème: Vegetarian Indian food a simple friendly setting. VERY good value for the quality and all homemade.
La cave a Michel 10ème: Standing room only in this natural wine bar with lovely things to nibble.
El nopal 10ème: Mexican Taqueria that is so small you can’t actually go in. So take away and find a nice spot along the Canal St Martin. Absolutely delicious tacos, home made corn tortillas. They have a new spot in Pigalle (9ème).
Thaï Street food 10ème: I don’t really like the dark cramped interior of this place but the food is good and served in big portions (often one curry is enough for two). So good for take away and a night “in”.
Siseng 10ème: They call themselves an Asian Food Bar…. Great Bo Bun. Right on the Canal St Martin.
Jones 11ème: I go here almost every time I’m in Paris. Original, yet simple small plates using seasonal ingredients (only a small list that changes often) with a great natural wine list. RESERVE !
Fulgurances 11ème: I do wiggle with anticipation every time I lunch here… I specify lunch as the menu at lunchtime is about half the price of the dinner menu. AMAZING value. Wonderful concept where the an up and coming cook that has much experience in fine restaurants around the world is given the chance to be the CHEF for a few months. Kind of like an “incubator”. Menu of the day with probably 2 choices and a great natural wine list. RESERVE
La buvette 11ème: Wine bar serving natural wines and nice things to nibble.
Clamato 11ème: Fishcentric small plates created by the neighbouring Septime Restaurant and wonderful natural wines. Great atmosphere but sometimes hard to get a table as reservations are not accepted. They will take your name and number and call when your table is ready.
La cave de Daron 11ème: Nice tiny place for pre or post-dinner drinks or to buy a bottle or two of natural wine. Interesting selection including some Georgian and Hungarian wines. The owner is from Georgia.
Café Luxe 11ème: Pretty hard to tell from the outside of this bar that one of the best Bo Buns is to be found inside ! The owner makes a yummy version of her grandmothers Bo Bun, perfectly seasoned just before being served by her husband… They even have a bottle or two of natural wine. While you wait you can squeeze in a bit of old fashioned pin-ball.
Bahn me tender 11ème: This little place specializes in Bahn Mi sandwiches. Fresh and well made. Mostly take away, but they have a couple of tables.
Le Grand Breguet 11ème: This is an odd place, mostly as its just enormous (for Paris). They have a simple lunch formula which is choose your grain (rice or….), your protein (meat, fish, egg or vegan) and they will finish off the dish with fresh cooked and raw veg and sauce. All for about 11€. Organic to boot ! Finish off with a yummy coffee (and or dessert) at Ten Belles Bread right next door.
Restaurant Raviolis Chinois 13ème: Delicious food from the North Eastern Chinese province of Liaoning. Dumplings offered fried, boiled or steamed. The “small shrimp and chive” boiled dumplings were delish !
Le Pacifique 19ème: Dim sum !
Guo Xin 19ème: Good Chinese food. Yummy dumplings.
MONTREAL
Montreal Plaza St Hubert Street: I become sad when I think about how long it may be before I can go back to this place. Creative, amaaaaazing service, delicious, reasonable and beautiful space. Be still my heart !
Super Taco Rue Bélanger: This is my type of Taco place. Just get down to it and eat. Super cheap for the quality…
Coming Soon….. San Sebastian !
Choose Real Food 