Press Review

What they say about us

A true institution among Parisian bistros, the Bistrot du Peintre is often reviewed in guidebooks and referenced on specialized websites. Thus, the very authoritative United States Zagat or the Japanese magazine Tabi recommend the Bistrot. Here is what they say about Bistrot du Peintre, in France as well as throughout the world:

Zagat

“Very typical restaurant/bar of the begining of the 20th century. Food is good, the mood is lively and there is a nice terrass for warm summer days. Not an intimate place but nice for relaxed lunch or diners with friends.”

“Great restaurant for a evening dinner on a terrace. Bone Merow is good, sardines in season are great, classic dishes such as tartare and steak are good and great duck confit.”

TripAdvisor

“If you want a good confit de canard, this is THE place. Also their profiteroles are to die for.”

“Very good traditional French cuisine in an old fashioned Paris's Bistrot! Worth seing it.“

That’s Paris 2008
“The oldest bistro with an art deco décor. Traditionnal cuisine with a good price ratio. 25-35 euros à la carte. Opened every night from 9pm to 1 am.”

Drinken, eten en art nouveau

Het café werd bijna 110 jaar geleden gebouwd, de inrichting is in een prachtige art nouveau-stijl en de vissoep kost hier 4,90 euro.
Jawel: de Bistrot du Peintre is een parel in Parijs, niet ver van Place de la Bastille.
Een traditioneel café zoals een traditioneel café er hoort uit te zien: met een zinken bar, een kroonluchter en een krijtbord waar het menu van de dag op staat.
En dan ook nog héél mooi en in héél goede staat.
Je kunt er op het terras zitten, je kunt er aan de bar hangen of ernaast aan een tafeltje zitten, of je kunt rustig in de zaal op de eerste verdieping eten en drinken.
Hoe dan ook: geniet van dit Parijs-anno-1902, bewonder het houtsnijwerk en kies een glas van de 'vin du moment', gekozen door de baas.

hipparis.com

Bistrot du Peintre: A Legit Restaurant on Paris’ Right Bank

February 16, 2011  by Tory Hoen

The trouble with dating someone who always thinks he’s right is that, sometimes, he actually is. On my most recent visit to Paris, my BF and I got into a lot of food-related debates, and I have to admit, he knows his stuff. While I tend to keep my ear to the ground for news about new restaurants, emerging chefs, and more concept-driven eateries, he has quietly and discerningly been working his way through old-school establishments that offer exquisite traditional cuisine in pretension-free (and mostly tourist-free) settings. He pays very little attention to reviews or buzz, so when he labels a place “legit,” I’ve learned to take note.

He recently introduced me to the Bistrot du Peintre, a two-story Art Nouveau eatery that’s been around since 1902. It’s located in the 11th, a short walk from the Bastille and the Marais, but slightly out of the fray. Upon entering, I noticed the place was busy but calm, the tables full of relaxed French people who work in the quartier or who have probably been coming here for years, because they know what we now know: this place is legit.

We settled into a cozy banquette on the upper level and—like most of the other diners—ordered the day’s featured dishes: a silky mushroom soup with a secret ball of mozzarella at the bottom (sneaky! delicious!), braised pork on a mountain of velvety French lentils, and a not-too-creamy brandade de Cabillaud.
The servers were friendly, even jocular, and the place bustled with a pleasant energy—not always the norm in Paris. To our right, two professorial-men were discussing sociology; to our left, busy waiters were darting to and fro, efficient but unrushed, attentive but not “lurking.” I left feeling like I could eat every meal at this place for the rest of my life and be perfectly content.

So on this day, tradition trumped trendiness. And while some of Paris’ more buzzed-about restaurants continue to pique my interest, it seems that many of them are still “finding themselves,” and they often miss the mark (or hit it, and charge exorbitant prices as a result). So, buzz be damned. Bistrot du Peintre is reasonably-priced, conveniently located, ultra-authentic and totally delicious. In other words, this place is legit.