[Paris] Frenchie Bar à Vins

Frenchie Bar à Vins

Add: 5-6 Rue du Nil  75002 Paris, France
Tel: 01 40 39 96 19
Hours: 7pm~late
Website: www.frenchie-restaurant.com
Price: [small plates] €9~18
Visited on: 2012/09

Frenchie is one of the hottest bistros in Paris – reservations must be made weeks or even months in advance – but for a quick taste of Gregory Marchand’s dishes without the hassle, try Frenchie Bar à Vins right across the narrow alleyway. The wine bar is for walk-ins only, and features a number of small plates that are perfect when shared with a friend or two. I arrived at 7pm right after the bar opens, and it was already almost a full house!

I’ve been eating too much bread since moving to Paris, but they are so hard to resist.

Burrata, pêche, basilic, vieux balsamique (€10). Burrata, peach, basil, and aged balsamic – some of my favorite ingredients combined beautifully on one plate. My dinner companion thought the dish was slightly bland, but the amount of seasoning was perfect for me.

Coppa di Parma, pickles (€15), cured pork shoulder, each thin slice an intense flavor burst.

Pastèque, ricotta salata, menthe (€9), watermelon with ricotta salata and mint. Ricotta salata is ricotta that has been pressed, salted and dried, very appealing in combination with refreshing watermelon, mint, and a sprinkle of pine nuts.

Coleslaw d’encornet et carotte, olive kalamata (€12), squid and carrot coleslaw with kalamta olives. Loved the texture contrast between crunchy purple cabbages and carrots with slimy chewy (in a good way) squid.

Raviole de Tourteaux, jus persillé au chorizo (€14), crab ravioli with parsley and chorizo sauce. The vibrantly green sauce was very attractive, but the portion was quite small and the taste did not wow.

Paperdelle, ragout de beouf, raifort (€14), paperdelle with beef ragout and horseradish. The paperdelle was thinner than I usually prefer, but the sauce was so mesmerizing that I scooped up the very last bit with what was left in my breadbasket.

Tarte amandine aux prunes, glace au miel (€9), almond prune tart with honey ice-cream. After making and tasting so many tarts at school, I really should’ve ordered something else, but I was curious to try Frenchie’s version. The tart itself was fine if not especially memorable (perhaps I’ve just been eating too many tarts), but the honey ice-cream on the side, light and refreshing like a yogurt sorbet, was a hit for me.

Simple but meticulously put together dishes, friendly waitstaff, cozy ambience…it’s no wonder Frenchie Bar à Vins is so popular. The portions are quite small, but given the quality of food, the price tags seem justified. I recommend coming right at 7pm to get seats, or expect to wait for a long time.