It’s swinging at Django! Laurent Casanovas, the boss of Maison Lautrec, invested in this former guitar store for his new restaurant (a solid wood U-shaped bar, wood and velvet barstools, retro Bruno Rey chairs), named in homage to the gypsy genius. Snatched up from the motherhouse, the bartender Nicolas Rodriguez mixes his signature drinks, while his accomplice Khélil Morin (ex-Lautrec as well) perfects some really nice small plates. For us, the night we went: silky tuna from Saint-Jean-de-Luz with a rich sorrel-hazelnut condiment; a striking prawn, thyme and lemon ravioli in a spiced prawn head bisque; delicious slow-roasted Black Angus steak with blond lentils and anchoïade; before a light savory panna cotta with candied orange and a Jamaican pepper tuile. During the week, there’s a mouthwatering lunch menu with, for example: a cream of button mushrooms; lemon sole with chermoula, with red kuri squash velouté; and Guanaja chocolate ganache. // G.D.
FEELING THIRSTY? In addition to the cocktails (like the Reinhardt with agave syrup, basil-infused vodka, lime, sugar cane and olive oil, for €12), there are good natural wines: a Muscadet from Véronique Günther-Chéreau (€6 a glass), a Costières-de-Nîmes white from the Château d’Or et de Gueules (€36 a bottle), a Madiran from the Domaine Capmartin (€44).
PRICE: Set menus €17-20 (lunch), plates €5-16.
