We can get a bit obsessive at Time Out. After our (disappointing) trip to new ‘frog bar’ Rainettes (link) we decided to persevere on our amphibian culinary quest and head to the legendary Roger la Grenouille on the rue des Grands Augustins (once a favourite of Picasso and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry).
The décor is very ‘froggie’. There are frogs on the window, frogs in the photos, there’s even frog-themed pottery on the mantelpiece. And, of course, there’s frog on the menu. From the classics – frog fritters with béarnaise or bordelaise sauce, or ‘frogs a la persillade’ (with chopped garlic and parsley) - to the ‘frog burger’: freshly baked buns with minced frog meat, pan-fried and accompanied by salad, onions and a creamy tartar sauce. It sounds strange at first, but it honestly works really well. At €22 for a burger, however, it’s not exactly cheap - as the waiter explains to us, “Fresh frog is expensive. 35 euros per kilo!”
Luckily, Roger la Grenuoille also has a €19 set menu at lunchtime which is quite well priced for the quality, especially considering the area. Today for example: chestnut and foie gras soup, Conquet sausage with mashed potato, and fig tart for dessert - all freshly made and absolutely delicious.
TRANSLATION: LEONIE CATER