Café Bistrot story ….

The small charming "Cochon à l'Oreille"

It is always a joy to be able to sit in a lovely setting while enjoying a great food. It is either one or the other but when I discovered “Le Cochon à l’Oreillle” this little haven hidden along the busy Montorgueil street It has both the atmosphere and good food. Paris has one of the world’s most beautiful historic cafés, brasseries and bistrots. At the Cochon à L’Oreille is like being transported back to early 20th century. The typical zinc counter, the ornate tile murals depicting market scenes and wooden benches give you this wonderful impressions of the historic Halles, the once buzzing food market. Jean Claude with his smiling face behind the counter, is always ready to serve, and in some mornings you can meet the bearded Andre Camboulas, the charming owner who will tell you not only the history of this place but his adventure in the bistrot world. He goes on saying that he will open up the upper floors as an exclusive restaurant, enlarging the Cochon à L’Oreille, that means out goes the beautiful zinc counter to make for more space. Works according to André will probably begin soon. His idea seems great but what will become of this charming little historic haven ? Even if the tiled decorations remains, its original interior will surely be transformed which is a great pity. “Cochon à L’oreille” 15 rue Montmartre.

Au petit fer à cheval

If many café bistrot and brasseries have been transformed by its new owners, at Au Petit Fer à Cheval 30 rue Vieille du Temple, still retains its historic decor. This is one of the nicest popular local that I would come to when I am in the Marais area. The typical horse shoe counter is perhaps one of its attractions. The place is always crowded, but there is a lovely room with wooden benches behind the counter.

The historic Procope Café

Procope is another historic and world’s oldest. Opened in the seventeenth century and once a popular café where Rousseau, Voltaire and B. Franklin used to come. Today is a lovely restaurant run by Les Frères Blanc. Visit the upper floors where you can get a glimpse of the historic rooms. Le Procope 13 rue de l’Ancienne Comédie.
To be continued …