La Petite Chaise

Known as the oldest restaurant in Paris, La Petite Chaise is one of the cosiest and welcoming restaurants I have been to, and definitely my favourite in the French capital. 

Those who visit are made to feel like family. Even though we had walked in with no reservation, wearing trackies, trainers and generally looking like total scruffbags, they swept off our coats with big beaming smiles and led us into the tiny dining room downstairs.

We've always made a point of visiting this charming little place any time we are in Paris and each time it feels like coming to visit an old friend for a meal in their comfy lounge.
Aside from the impeccable service, the food is what really keeps us coming to this part of the Saint Germain area. 
Warm goats cheese, bacon and walnut salad...

Escargot in molten garlic butter and parsley with chunks of crusty French bread to dunk.

Tender fillet steak cooked rare (they don't really do well done in France), doused in rich peppercorn sauce, woodland mushrooms and served on a bed of cheesy oven baked potatoes with cream. Oh my. 

Crisp and rose pink duck with a thick and glossy gravy, accompanied by a perfectly soft and slightly tart baked apple to balance out the richness of those decadent potatoes. 

And for dessert a light and fluffy white chocolate mousse with a puddle of dark and bitter chocolate sauce on top for me, and a selection of fine French cheeses for Tomasz.  

We left feeling fuzzy and satisfied from the wine and all the beautiful food and 108 Euros lighter. Not bad considering how much we had, the service and the fact that it is in the centre of Paris. If you go, do try and pay them a visit. 

Their website is here.