13.39.a - Decrypting Restaurants in France: Restos, BISTROS, Brasseries, Bouillons...

UPDATED: The 'Bistro' or 'Bistrot' is the focus this week Here are the 10 Best Traditional & Contemporary Bistrots in Paris + fascinating history, food, interiors and much more...

Today at a Glance: your PAID weekly newsletter

1. Decrypting Restaurants in France: Restos, BISTROS, Brasseries, Bouillons...

2. What’s the difference between a Brasserie and a Bistro?

3. 10 Best Bistros in Paris to Try Now

4. Thank you so much for your support and subscriptions

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‘le Bulletin' is read across 47 US states & 67 countries. I’m adding to the content breadth and depth each week. If you’re enjoying this newsletter, then please consider providing support for my continued work, for the cost of a good coffee now and then - Merci d’avance - Judy - 30.9.23

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Bonjour

I’m Judy MacMahon, Fondatrice of MyFrenchLife.org and le Bulletin newsletter. Welcome to the weekly newsletter for paying subscribers. You will also receive the FREE newsletter each week - bursting with informative, interesting and often intriguing information from France.

Today I’m talking about the French BISTRO.

I have many fond memories of lunches and dinners with friends and family in French bistros. Generally, I enjoy the intimacy and ambience.

Mostly I have found the food is between good to extraordinarily good, no doubt you’ll find your own favourite, whether that be in your neighbourhood, or headed by a chef you respect, either way, please leave the names of your favourite bistros at the base of this article.

1. What is a Bistro (Bistrot)?

Think of a bistro ( “bistrot”) as a casual, unpretentious neighbourhood family restaurant / café / bar where you can have a drink and eat traditional time-tested French recipes at affordable prices. The food served is usually simple, home-style or rustic meals like grandma’s cooking (a French grandma.)

However, there have been changes to this formula. Nowadays, a bistro might be family-run, or it might be helmed by a chef trained in one of the culinary institutions. Irrespective, the expectation when you step through the door is warm hospitality and hearty comfort food, much of it is created from what the chef finds at the market that day.

Bistros sit somewhere between a café and a restaurant. They have a relaxed atmosphere and serve moderately priced food, wine and coffee throughout the day and evening. We recognise them for their courtyards and terraces, crowded with small tables and folding chairs. Interiors are more likely to be charming rather than elaborate.

The word ‘bistro’ led to the recent trend of bistronomie where chefs have freed themselves from the constraints of gastronomic restaurants and have decided to open more modest bistro restaurants serving good quality but simpler food.

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Paid subscribers this week have access to an explanation of the difference between a Bistro and a Brasserie. Then a total of 10 of the Best Bistros in Paris to Try Now: traditional and contemporary. If you can, please consider upgrading your subscription to gain access.

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