It's a heartfelt bistro, or rather, an institution. In the vibrant 16th arrondissement, nestled between Trocadéro and Victor Hugo, just steps away from Maison Revka (formerly Maison Russe) and Le Petit Victor Hugo, the legendary Paris 16 has recently undergone a change of chef, with Laurent Chéné taking the helm. It's the perfect opportunity to revisit this culinary gem. And, conveniently, we're hungry!
An atmospheric setting
As soon as we're seated, a small dish of rillettes and freshly baked bread is presented to us, simply to make us feel welcome. Already, we're planning our next visit. It's easy to feel at home at Paris 16, where the Dumant family (Le Chardonnay, Aux Crus de Bourgogne, Les Marches...) recreates their signature bourgeois truck-stop ambiance with checkered tablecloths, aged mirrors, wooden chairs, and comfortable banquettes. They even have a charming terrace, perfect for lunch. Verdict: still as inviting as ever.
Delectable and hearty dishes
We let ourselves be guided by the daily slate, featuring highlights such as homemade pâté en croûte (veal, pork, foie gras, €15) and crispy lamb sweetbreads (€22), among other exclusive choices that regulars are delighted to try after exploring the entire menu. For starters, we discovered a melt-in-your-mouth artichoke bottom with foie gras (€22) and a spinach salad with crab meat (€22), both served in satisfyingly generous portions. Of course, we couldn't miss the obligatory snails (€16) and deviled eggs (€6).
We take a peek at our neighbors, assess our remaining appetite, and opt for a juicy tournedos with béarnaise sauce (€29) and a chicken with morels and yellow wine (€30), accompanied by their incomparable fries—thin, tender, and crispy, in other words, perfection. Traditional cuisine enthusiasts will rejoice at the sight of the bouchée à la reine (€35) and veal kidneys with mustard (€25), while the veggies, slightly out of their element, can turn to orecchiette with green asparagus and peas (€25). As for wine, we trust Fred's recommendations, with a nice selection of wines by the glass, including an excellent Chablis (€10) or Lucien Muzard's Pinot Noir (€9). And we promise, next time we'll exercise restraint with the rillettes to save room for the chocolate mousse and profiteroles (€10).
Open Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner. Closed on weekends.
Also discover The Best bistros in Paris and The new Parisian wine bars
