Who’s it for? Anyone who wants to live the picturebook Paris dream.
What should I order? Everything. But especially the oeuf mayonnaise and beef bourguignon.
How much? Think €1.90 oeuf mayonnaise, €4.50 herring potatoes and a beef bourguignon under €10. Wine is equally wallet-friendly: a very drinkable côtes-du-rhône is €2.90 per glass or €35 for a jeroboam.
A mix of Parisians and tipsy tourists hang out at this new-age Clichy brasserie. Think staff in black tie, red leather booths, white paper placemats for each of the 300-strong capacity. Lunchtime at Bouillon Pigalle is a far cry from avo toast – this is all about classic, comforting brasserie dishes done well. Highlights included boiled eggs piled high with mayonnaise (€1.90), creamy celery remoulade with Petrossian smoked sprats (€3.40) and a simple brandade de morue, topped with flaked almonds, a drizzle of olive oil and chopped chives (€9.20). Jean-Luc Poujauran bread is more than welcome when you’ve struggled through the queue for a table (which can be up to two hours long).
Service might be a little slow, but dishes come quickly and you can’t argue with a classic Parian two-course dinner (with wine) for under €20. Long live the bouillon!