A wave of young and inovative chefs came to rule the gastronomical scene of Paris. Produce obtained from the small local producers, natural, organic wines and memorable meals ranging from typical french food de campagne to even more inventive and interesting eats.
Le verre volé is one of these places, small bistro and cave à vin in the 10th, near Canal St.Martin. Warm and hearty place for people in search for good and hearty meal for more than a reasonable price. The atmosphere is lovely and just as cave à vin should be - with shelves filled with wine bottles taking up every centimeter of the wall. The menu is read from the chalkboards and it changes frequently, making every trip to this bistro a trip to the unknown. Of course, always with good expectations.
The staff is friendly, happy to explain every detail of the meal and to recommend a perfect wine to accompany it. There is a heavenly smell coming from the kitchen just behind, a dominion of a lady chef (don't worry, you won't smell like french fries after dinner).
We payed around 40 euros per person for a three course meal (shared entrée), together with two glasses of an extraordinary good wine. The price is far from expensive taking into consideration just what kind of food you can get elsewhere for the same amount of money. This is not a classical restaurant so you are not obliged to take the entrée, you won't get any mean looks if you wish to share it, or skip a dessert or coffee after the main dish.
In regular bistros and brasseries you will get a portion of greasy french fries and a piece of meat for almost the same price you would pay for a main dish in Le verre volé. It's up to you to make a choice where to eat. I made mine already. Think of reservation in advance.
Our shared entrée was kind of a dive in the unknown for me - coeur d'agneau (lamb's heart), divinely marinated and grilled, accompanied by the culinary discovery of the month - corn purée.
The main dish was also an extraordinary turn for me. Poitrine de cochon fermier (i usually avoid eating pork), pork breast which were cooked for 12 hours resulting in the tenderest piece of meat i have ever tried. It literally melted in the mouth.
The wine was excelent, reminded me a bit of the homemade wine we get every year from our relatives on the coast, so crisp and refreshing.
My company chose white chocolate soup with mint for dessert, a rather interesting combination. Not being a fan of mint, i was mildly smitten by how good it tasted. But the crumble was a perfect pick by far. Warm crumbs mixed with huge blackberries and raspberries with a touch of gentle cream and a generous amount of chopped pistachio and whole almonds.
Spread the word.
Le verre volé
67 Rue de Lancry
75010 Paris
