Le Tir-Bouchon

22 rue Tiquetonne
2e arr., Paris

Metro - Etienne Marcel

www.le-tirbouchon.com

Once again, I wandered around tonight looking for a good place for dinner. First I took the Metro out to Astier because I heard they had an awesome "Plateau de Fromage" for dessert, unfortunately they open at 8pm and I was there at 7.15pm and I didn't feel like waiting.

Next I took the Metro to try Chez Michel near the Gare du Nord train station. When I arrived they were closed! Some places don't open on Sundays and Mondays but my guidebook didn't say they were closed on Mondays.

My third and fourth choice was Le Tir- Bouchon or a place named le Bouledogue on Rambeteau. Both were located near the same Metro stop so I could easily decide. Le Bouledogue is a place I've been to once on a previous trip and they were a candidate because they had 2 of my favorites French dishes, "oeuf meurette" (eggs in red wine" and profiteroles. Their menu is typical French bistro specialties with a 3 course meal ranging around €35.

Le Tir-Bochon is a new entry on my list because it was recommended by the owners of my apartment on their "Welcome to Paris" orientation list.

For my choice I selected Le Tir-Bouchon because it was highly recommended and the place was very cute with a less traditional and more challenging menu.

The atmosphere here is rustic and romantic with stone walls, beamed ceilings and walls covered with antiques, photos and curiousities. Lighting is dim with candle lit tables and overhead dim globe lighting.

Au Tier Bouchon offers an a la carte menu plus a 3 course set price menu at €28. I have to say the menu here was a bit difficult for me to read and I don't think there was one available in English. I think the difficulty came because it wasn't "traditional" French. Regardless my server was very helpful with the words I didn't understand.

For my starter I ordered the "Chausson de Chevre Chaud aux Pommes". This was goat cheese in puff pastry served with a green salad. It was delicious! The warm goat cheese puff was a good size with a crispy shell and warm soft goat cheese inside. The salad was made from mixed greens with apple and basil and dressed with a simple vinagrette. It was a very satisfing dish.

For my entree I selected the "Dos de Porcelet Roti au Caramel". I think that translates as caramelized baby pig. I hope I don't get he whole baby on my plate when it is served! I am also hoping that it's not a pig with caramel sauce. This will remain a mystery until it arrives.

Luckily the dish is not a big surprise and is also delicious. In addition to the 3 pieces of "baby" pork, the dish also includes some roast fingerling potatoes, sauteed green zucchini and a warm slaw with smoked bits of pork. It was a lovely dish and the sauce on the pork was so delicious I had to mop it all up with the crusty bread.

I did order 2 glasses of wine which was decent but seemed to be jug wine, not fine wine. I noticed that others having more than a glass were served wine in a carafe rather than a brand name bottle.

For dessert I ordered the traditional creme brulee. The custard tasted pretty good but the sugar top was burnt rather than caramelized. Not bad, but not perfect.

Total bil with wine - €31.50

Service at Au Tier Bouchon is fast and helpful. Although there is no rudeness here, there is only one server for the entire room. He is working too hard to be overly friendly.

I will give Au Tier Bouchon 3 hearts short of 4 because I think the food was good and atmosphere comfortable but the creme brulee was burnt and the wine from a jug.

Based on everything, I still would highly recommend Le Tir-Bouchon because the atmosphere is nice and food has a lot of flavor.

Note - Smoking is permitted and seating is close. Smokiness will depend on how may puffers are in the bistro. Ventilation and air flow is decent so the smoke doesn't linger.

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Comments

[BettyBoop]

Good review. I'll add it to my "bistro list".