Eating at Les Pères Populaires is simply great. There’s no hype. It’s just honest. A rare gem! If friends come along, well, afterwards they go on to rave about the place. It’s a bar/canteen at 46 Rue Buzenval bordering the popular working class 20th and 11th districts.

Arrive to mingle with the hungry lunchtime crowd and witness a display of lyrical chaos which is casually choreographed by the servers. They skillfully convert diners’ gestures into actions, listening carefully above the noisy chatter. Synchronizing their move from table to serving hatch, also responding to chef’s callouts. The whole performance peaks at 13:00.

Dining solo or as a duo you’ll be seated elbow-to-elbow with local artisans, workers and students. Enjoying the charm of the tightly connected Formica-surfaced tables and also overhearing the intimate conversations of strangers (well, people you don’t know yet)! There’s unshared tables if you prefer. Just ask.

Bio & Bon / Organic & Good are the words heading up the communal chalkboard menu. Keep in mind that it’s a tasting-menu, meaning there’s no real need to choose. The kitchen mantle has been passed from upcoming chef Elsa Marie, to a chef trained under her guardianship, so the expertise remains intact, meaning the delicious flavour combinations continue to flow at an affordable €16 (starter, main, dessert – €13 without dessert). Like I said, there’s no hype. It’s just honest. An all too rare gem!