Le Hangar

12 Impasse Berthaud 3e arr., Paris

Metro - Rambuteau

Tonight I had grand plans to travel somewhere on the left bank and away from my apartment for dinner. Unfortunately I had to do some last minute work on the internet and didn't get too far from Les Halles where I found a internet parlor.

It's late so consulted my bistro priority list (yes I made one) and decided to visit Le Hangar which is in a little alley near the Pompidou Center.

I've tried to eat at this place before and either found it closed or too full. Tonight is a cold evening so a lot of people are not out and Le Hanger has seats available.

I am off to a slow start, the server promptly seated me but is taking a bit too long to bring the menu. I guess he is a little busy.

Le Hangar isn't a fancy place on the interior. Simple tables line the room without an inch to spare. The walls are creme colored with a few odd small pictures.

The menu has a wide variety and something that will please everyone. In addition to a variety of hot and cold starters there is a good selection of meats, fish and fowl. The menu prices range around €8 for starters, €14 for plats and €7 for fromage or desserts.

Before my starter arrives my appetite is tempted with an olive spread (for the life of me I can't remember what you call this) and some crispy toasts.

For my starter I am having a dish called Raviloi de Romans which I think is a specialty from somewhere near the French Alps. The little ravioli is served in a cream sauce and are quite tasty. My guess is that they aren't homemade but I can be wrong. It's a good hearty dish regardless.

The only item on the main courses that interested me (and one of the few I understood) was the filet de boeuf stroganoff. How could I go wrong with that?

Well, the stroganoff wasn't that good. There wasn't much meat and the dish was in a classic stroganoff sauce. When the dish arrived I though it was nice how it was served with in a lot of thin noodles. After tasting I realized those weren't noodles, they were onions! It was swimming in them. I thought there would be noodles.

There are a number of warm and cold desserts to offer including the "assiette de fromage". Regardless of how tempting it seems, I am leaving. The service is horrid and Miss Puff Puff at a nearby table is on her 6th ciggy.

I also have my "Tarte du Jour" in my bag. Today it's a "tarte almondine" from one of my favorite pattisseries in the 7th named "Julian". While at Julien, I also got a pistachio macaroon and gobbbled it up immediately while I had an espresso at a cafe.

Service at Le Hangar is not very personal. The single waiter who is running around the room is to busy to be nice. Poor man. I can only seem to give Le Hangar 2 hearts and maybe less. Service is horrid and the food average.

Smoking warning - This seems to be a very "social" restaurant. Those eating here will chain smoke before, during and after their meals as they socialize with their friends and co-workers. One female close to me actually had 5 cigarettes while waiting for her meal.

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Comments

[Maria]

Hi there,

I think the olive spread you had is called tapenade. It's great stuff!

Just wanted to say that I have really been enjoying your blog this week, thanks for all the reviews. I'm going to Paris on Thursday and may check out some of the places you have visited. Do you have any suggestions for where to go for Thanksgiving dinner? I tried to get a reservation at Thanksgiving the restaurant, but sadly they are all booked up.

Cheers!