Jordan J.
Yelp
One of the highlights of our trip to Paris was discovering Chez Janou, a charming restaurant specializing in the cuisine of the south of France. It was only a short walk from our hotel near Place de la Bastille, and both our hotel's staff and our own research had pointed us there--especially because my wife was on a mission to find the perfect French ratatouille.
We arrived about 20 minutes before the kitchen opened at 7 p.m.--without a reservation--and for a moment, it seemed we might not get a table. Though I spoke French, I have to admit, my French is a little rusty. The waiter quickly switched to English: "I appreciate that you're speaking French, but it's more important to me that I'm completely understood than that you speak French." He reassured us that we could sit at a small table in the bar, enjoy an apéro, and order from the full menu once the kitchen opened. My wife had a cappuccino, and I had a verre of Marselan.
For dinner, my wife, of course, had the ratatouille, which our waiter enthusiastically endorsed: *"You can get steak frites as good as ours many places in Paris, but we have the best ratatouille in all of Paris,by far."* We didn't try ratatouille anywhere else, but after tasting this one--rich, perfectly seasoned, and deeply satisfying--it's hard to imagine a better version.
I ordered the ravioles du Dauphiné, expecting small cheese ravioli. Instead, I was served a dish of melted cheese with a golden-broiled crust. A bit of a surprise, but an absolutely delicious one. The portions were generous--so much so that I couldn't imagine following my dish with a 300g steak, which was one of the choices for the main course.
We went straight to dessert. My wife had pain perdu (French toast), and I had a tarte tatin aux poires (pear tart). Both were exceptional, the perfect sweet finish to an already fantastic meal.
Throughout the evening, we were taken care of by three different members of the wait staff, all friendly, attentive, and happy to offer recommendations. The atmosphere was lively but welcoming, and the service was as generous as the portions.
Next time we're in Paris, we'll absolutely be coming back to Chez Janou.