Paris: Best cheap eats; Best chocolate eclair
Last Friday’s Le Parisien had a round-up of cheap and hearty canteens in Paris where you can get a meal for less than €10. Jot these down!
1. Regis, la soupe populaire. 35, rue Mauconseil, Paris 75001. Metro: Les Halles. Open for lunch and dinner on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Main courses like shepherd’s pie (hachis parmentier in French) and pork stew for €3.60, starters and dessert for €2.80.
2. Au Banquier. 7, rue du Banquier Paris 75013. Metro: Campo Formio. Open for lunch and dinner every day except Monday.
In true canteen style, this restaurant features a special dish every day of the week. Wednesday is paella, Friday-Sunday is couscous. A lunchtime menu at €8.80 will buy you a dish of carottes rapees, a veal chop, and an oriental pastry.
3. Le Self-Grill. 3, place de Clichy, Paris 75008. Metro: Place de Clichy. Open daily from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.
Students “hang” at this enormous basement canteen, not just because of the cheap prices, but also for the staggering variety of offerings: 30 hors d’oeuvres and mixed salads, 20 main courses, and 20 desserts. Try to go early because it gets crowded after 7:30 p.m.
Elsewhere in the French press, Le Figaro recently published its rankings for the best chocolate eclair in town. The winner:
Chez Carette. 4, place du Trocadero, 75016.
Carette is not a Cheapo café, so we recommend buying your eclairs (€4 each) “to go” from the pastry counter. They are also famous for their macaroons, and in distinction to Laduree (which placed third in the survey), you don’t have to stand in line at Chez Carette!
