When it comes to dining out, I’ll admit it, I’m not much of a snooty patootie. I like good food. I like quality food. But I wouldn’t say I’m a foodie. I like approachable food. Not late-summer heirloom beets bathed in a watercress and sunchoke jus. You get my drift. (P.S. I hate beets. Don’t hate me.)
That said, nearly all of my restaurant recommendations in Paris, hell, or even in most of Europe or New York for that matter, are likely going to be of the approachable variety. And without further ado, I introduce you to Les Bougresses. Unfussy. Charming. Très French. And sinfully delicious.
Tucked away on the very cosy and quiet rue de Jarente in the 4th, Les Bougresses just drips with French charm. Like most French restaurants they offer a Prix Fixe menu of the day and if you’re relatively hungry, it’s usually a great deal for a substantial amount of food. On this particular day, I will full on admit that my eyes were bigger than my stomach when I ordered the entrée + plat + dessert — but in my defense, I also didn’t know that my starter was going to made out of dinosaur bones.
I went with the entrée de la carte au choix and chose the os a moelle with salt and toasted baguette. I nearly fell off my chair when I saw them. Holy bone marrow. Gluttonous. Perfectly seasoned. And worth the tummy ache later from overeating.
As if that wasn’t enough artery coagulation, I opted for the Ravioles de Royans à la Crème (creamy herb and cheese filled pillows). At this point I was about to explode. But damn it was tasty!
Exploding be damned…I still had one course left! God save me. I chose the oh-so-classique crème brûlée. Crackly. Smooth. Decadent. And something I sadly could only have a couple bites of. I was toast. Bursting at the seams. And yet so many diners around me were practically licking their plates clean. You will, too! Just maybe don’t follow my lead and order the richest things possible…unless you’re into that kind of thing. (And who isn’t in PARIS? Give me a break!) Please just go.
