Few are the lucky ones who can afford the luxury of booking a table at Le Pré Catelan, the legendary 3-star restaurant by Frédéric Anton, nestled in the heart of the Bois de Boulogne. Those with smaller budgets and a love for countryside-style bistros are thrilled with the opening of La Ferme du Pré, a little gem located just across from it, where guests can enjoy delicious traditional dishes in an enchanting setting. Spoiler: We loved it so much that we're already hoping to return as soon as possible...
A dream dining room
"I've been dreaming of this project for thirty years!" Frédéric Anton whispers to us. Close your eyes and imagine this former yellow dairy with blue half-timbering. Inside, toile de Jouy wallpaper, copper pans on the walls, hunting scene paintings, and framed old menus from La Ferme du Pré Catelan dating back to 1908, 1911, or 1949, hinting at the culinary direction. On the tables with tablecloths are silverware pieces unearthed from the archives of Le Pré Catelan, along with charming floral plates handpicked by the chef himself. Surrounding the place, nature, and the feeling of having driven hours to find yourself in the countryside. Our recommendation? Plan for a quick taxi ride to reach this paradise deep within the Bois de Boulogne ! It's totally worth it.
Retro dishes that bring comfort
Endless joy reading the menu, where all the deliciously old-fashioned dishes evoke the codes of Parisian bistros from the Belle Époque (our own era?): appetizers like homemade country terrine (€20), chicken mayonnaise, mimosa and hard-boiled egg (€15), or silky black pudding with curly endive (€18). The butter sauce for the cod, extraordinary with its capers and croutons (€29), and the boeuf bourguignon, worthy of the grandmothers who know their craft, is already a unanimous favorite (€30).
Offal lovers will rejoice at the sight of rare veal kidneys with Madeira sauce (€30) and sweetbreads with mushrooms (€42) : trust the chef, he knows his stuff! For sides, don't miss the mashed potatoes topped with gravy (€8), tender fries (€6), and addictive garlic green beans for a green touch (€7). An Americano to wash down the dessert (€8): devilish vanilla-chocolate profiteroles (€14) or a Melba-style pear (€15). Then enjoy a refreshing walk in the forest to breathe in the fresh air before heading home...
Open Wednesday to Sunday from 12 pm to 2 pm and from 7 pm to 9:30 pm.
Le Bistrot La Ferme du Pré, Rue du Vieux Pont de Sèvres 170, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt 01 44 14 41 40
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