“An everyday café, simple restaurant fare and a rotating menu of workers’ meals.” This marks one more address to Alexandre Gauthier’s name, the inexhaustible tycoon of Montreuil-sur-Mer! This former bistro has been turned upside down with its matte black facade and bright yellow terrace, big ceilings, open kitchen and neo-industrial decor (unfinished walls, an octopus-like steel structure featuring light bulbs wrapped in tissue paper, and a gigantic fireplace for the winter months). Served à la carte, you’ll find perfectly prepared northern French fare: welsh made with country bread, mussels from Zeeland in marinière sauce that’ll have you slurping it up by the spoonful; scrumptious flank steak with shallots and crispy matchstick fries served with homemade mayonnaise for dipping; and a weekly “workers’ menu” that gets the job done right – a gigantic vol-au-vent made with flaky pastry; cordon bleu and small macaroni pasta; osso-buco with mashed potatoes. When it comes to the sweets, you’re in for a treat: incredibly tender homemade brioche that’s just toasted and served with homemade strawberry jam; Italian-style vanilla or chocolate ice cream with incredible toppings – chocolate-caramel crisps, caramelized pistachio or almond nougatine…! // Nicolas Leanjem
FEELING THIRSTY? Wash it all down with northern beers (Cadette, Castelain), served by the galopin (€2.50 for 125 ml) or the chope (€6-9 for 500 ml), and wines that won’t break the bank – pitchers of Chardonnay or Fer-Servadou at €4.50 for a liter, La Burette, a Loire red from Timothée Delalle at €24 a bottle, or Syrahvissante, a Rhone red from Louis Chèze at €26; and excellent espresso in the morning for €1.50.
PRICE: Plates €6-18, weekly menu meals €12.50 (lunch), Sunday main €17.50, desserts €3-10.
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