Astier
Price guide: Mid-range
44 rue Jean-Pierre-Timbaud, Paris, 75011
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#8 of 80
expert-rated restaurants in Paris- Recommended for:
- Couples, Families with teenagers, Families with younger children, Foodies, Mature travellers, People watching, Relaxation
Best for Families - Expert review of Astier
A friendly rejuvenated classic Parisian bistro with a great atmosphere.
With its varnished pine wainscotting and red and white checked tablecloths, Astier looks as if it has barely changed since 1956, the year it was opened by Monsieur et Madame Astier, becoming a legend for its good-value menu, great cheese tray and fine choice of wines. When it changed hands a couple of years ago, some people, of course, complained that it had lost its soul but I think it has kept its character and that the food is, if anything, as good if not better than ever.
Food and drink:
This is one of my surefire bets to come with friends, for its mix of old favourites and judiciously updated dishes, as I can be sure that everyone from the most conservative to the more adventurous will be able to find something they like. On one hand you might start with the wonderful marinated herrings, which you serve yourself from the terracotta dish, accompanied by warm potato salad, or totally trad Burgundy-style oeufs-en-meurette (eggs poached in red wine sauce - my husband's favourite), on the other hand, you might have a more modern veal chop with a panoply of seasonal asparagus and chicory. The rum baba, doused with rum at the table and accompanied by whipped cream, is a must. And it's a rare place that still produces a cheese tray as part of the menu. There's also an excellent wine list.
Ambience:
The old-fashioned setting and eclecticism of the crowd are all part of the experience here. You'll find young arty types, genteel elderly couples, a few fashion people and the odd famous face, as well as multi-generational families here for weekend lunch (a special menu for under-5s comes complete with Astier bib to take home).
Service:
Staff are young and friendly, the timing leisurely – it's definately more of a slow food place to linger in than for a quick lunch.
Location:
Near to the Oberkampf bar drag, not far from République.
Price advice:
It's great-value: with a 24 euro menu at lunch, and 32 euros including cheese tray at dinner.
Other useful branches:
It's recently opened Jeanne A, a stylish épicerie-rôtisserie (deli-cum-grocer-cum-rôtisserie), next door.
More information on Astier:
- Price guide:
- Type:
- Bistro, Restaurant
- Food:
- French, Traditional
- Address:
- 44 rue Jean-Pierre-Timbaud, Paris, 75011
- Telephone:
- 01 43 57 16 35
- Website:
- http://www.restaurant-astier.com
- Serves:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Opening times:
- Daily 12.45pm-2.15pm, 7.30pm-10.30pm.
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Reservations:
- Suggested
- Free tags / Keywords:
- Wine
