An homage to the classic French bistro by Bertrand Auboyneau, owner of the Paul Bert in Paris, and François Simon, renowned Le Figaro food critic. Auboyneau offers a seasonal selection of the Paul Bert’s finest recipes, and Simon explains the ten essentials that make—or break—a great bistro. Featuring a dozen of the best bistros in the French capital.
The French bistro provides an irresistible dining experience, combining fresh, traditional dishes with a friendly atmosphere. With its checkered tablecloths, chalkboard menus trumpeting the plats du jour, emblematic wooden chairs, and an endless supply of crusty baguettes, the gastronomic bistro has firmly established itself as a culinary institution.
Bertrand Auboyneau, the owner of Bistrot Paul Bert in Paris, offers a seasonal selection of sixty hearty recipes. Starters include rustic country pâté with cognac and wild mushroom confit or scallops cooked in their shells with a piquant twist. An extensive selection of main courses ranges from shoulder of lamb en cocotte to duck breast with cherries and roasted new potatoes. After a dazzling cheese platter, if you still have room for dessert, you can indulge in an assortment of delicious classics, such as Paul Bert’s signature Paris-Brest, praline cream in a crisp choux pastry ring, or Île flottante, an island of poached meringue floating in Tahitian vanilla créme anglaise.
To accompany the recipes, revered food critic François Simon outlines the ten commandments that rule a true bistro, such as the importance of an inspirational owner and a highly experienced chef as well as impeccable waiters and the art of creating an authentic decor, dense with the wafting smells of good food and wine. Photographs feature both recipes and the lively spirit of a dozen Parisian bistros.
Featuring the Paul Bert with highlights from the following quintessential Parisian bistros:
L’Écailler du Bistrot
L’Abordage
L’Ami Jean
The Baratin
Le Comptoir
The Gorgeon
Le Grand Pan
The Marsangy
Philou
The Quedubon
The Repaire de Cartouche
Le Verre Volé
Le Villaret
BERTRAND AUBOYNEAU is the owner of the renowned Paul Bert in Paris. He is a disciple of the late Michel Picquart, the founder of the modern “bistronomy” movement, and has successfully established his bistro as a benchmark within this category.
FRANCOIS SIMON is a revered food critic for Le Figaro and the author of several books devoted to gastronomy. He makes frequent appearances on French television and also has his own restaurant review show, but—in order to protect his anonymity—he never reveals his face.
CHRISTIAN SARRAMON is a distinguished lifestyle photographer whose work has been featured in many books, including Paris Patisseries (2010),
Gourmet Bistros and Restaurants of Paris (2006), and Gourmet Shops of Paris (2005), all published by Flammarion.
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French Bistro: Seasonal Recipes (9782080200884, Flammarion)