La Fontaine de Mars restaurant

Another one of my favorites tucked away on one of the least touristy streets in the very smart 7th arrondissement. The La Fontaine de Mars was the choice for Drew and I to tuck into some hearty basque bistrot food. I have been here a number of times over the years and the first impression on entering is how warm and cosy the classic bistro dining room is especially in winter. In summer you can sit outside on the terrace right beside the rather large statue of the god of war that the restaurant is named after. The restaurant is full of well-heeled residents from this posh quartier, and is also very popular with the business crowd for lunch, especialy the arty producers, directors and presenters from one of the large TV studios just around the corner. Its always a good thing here to take notice of the Plat du Jour, it can be a real surprise at times. If nothing suites from the daily special menu then try from the list of old favorites like the Magret de Canard, the Volaille Champignons, the boudin noir or (in winter) the cassoulet. Duck and Foie Gras Terrine

Supreme of Chicken with Morels

Cod with very yummy sauce

The French will always tell you that they will choose their food - and then choose their wine - to suit. Drew and I decided to be a pair of philistines and do the opposite. I spotted a wonderful Chateaux Segla 1999 on the wine menu, we then ordered our food to suit the wine. Drew started with a refreshing but very filling block of raw salmon served with finely sliced pickled onion. I choose a selection of very pungent charcuterie, including the one (I've forgotten the name) that smells like month-old cow dung and tastes gamey and fantastic. Its made up of intestines, tripe, liver and all sorts of offal. Its an aquired taste but one worth cultivating. Drew moved onto a superb fillet steak with hand made chips for his main course and I decided on a Cote du Pork accompanied by Potato dauphinoise. The one thing I love about French Bistro cooking is you get what it says on the menu - nothing more and nothing less. My dish arrived with one pork chop in the middle of the plate, but it was an inch thick and on the bone - succulant and perfectly cooked. No room for pudding so we finished with coffee, while we watched the diner next to us scoff an entree of fresh fried foie gras with caramalised peaches. I'll be trying that next time.

Dinner with Drew - The highlights.
2 lillet Rouge 12.00 euro
1 Marine de saumon 13.00 euro
1 Cochonnaille 15.00 euros
1 Fillet Grill 28.00 euro
1 cote de cochon 20.00 euro
1 Segla Marguax 1999 44.00 euro

total for two 142.00 euros

La Fontaine de Mars
129 Rue St.Dominique, 7th
Phone: 011 33 1 47 05 46 44