Lex G.
Yelp
Warning: this is a bit of a novella... you can scroll down for the bottom line :-)
I go to Paris as often as I can. Each time I go, I search out something new and special. Pétrelle holds a very special place in my heart and stomach. It is a true hidden gem in the 9th Arr., with the closest metro being Anvers. The restaurant is primarily a two-men show; the chef Jean-Luc André, and a waiter who covers the limited tables. It is a true French bistro frequented by true Parisians.
I love everything about this restaurant. From the décor, the menu, the food, and quirky little things. Peering through the windows from the outside, you just see dimly lit space. However, once you step inside, you're swept away into what feels like an eccentric uncle's lounge. Red, white, black, and wood are common themes throughout, including stacks of books and random knick-knacks. Overall, it provides an intimate and cosy atmosphere. No other restaurant has offered this unique ambiance. Despite being unique, it may not appeal to everyone. However, I loved every minute of it.
We were the first guests to arrive at the restaurant, which is normally only opened from 8-10pm. The space is quite limited, with only 7-8 tables scattered about. The waiter seated us at our table and handed us the menus. The menus were beautifully hand-written, featuring a very fresh and inspiring selection of food. All the food is crafted with the best locally sourced produce from the markets. As we browsed the menu, I would peek into the kitchen and see the chef prepping. Lumberjack and I opted for the prix fix menu, because it was a great deal for around 30€ per person. We started with soup, progressed to a beautiful main, and finished with a delectable rice pudding. We also had a bottle of wine with our meal, which we also enjoyed.
The service was decent, despite Lumberjack making an effort to speak French, only to be responded in English by the waiter every time. Random tangent... so in the UK, we would normally have cheese and fruit after dessert. After finishing our dessert in Pétrelle, Lumberjack asked for cheese... the ensuing response was surprising. The waiter gasped and said "you want cheese AFTER dessert?!" It's as if we had shit in his mother's handbag or committed blasphemy. Oh the atrocity! After that little episode, we politely asked for the check while we enjoyed finishing off our bottle of wine.
The toilets also have a unique eccentric charm in itself. With a little bit of everything from a chalkboard and mannequin hands... before leaving the toilet area, I make sure to leave our mark on the chalkboard.
We enjoyed our relaxing dinner until the restaurant closed. With the 3-courses and bottle of wine, the damage came in around 100€. On our way out, we finally noticed the resident cat perched on the table where the complementary meringues waited for you to grab from the basket. We said goodbye to the kitty and snatched up a couple meringues.
The sweet and lowdown: really intimate and romantic setting; good for a night out with your lover, or even an intimate dinner with close friends. Definitely book a reservation, because of the limited 7-8 tables. Pétrelle is closed Sundays and Mondays and open only for dinner (8-10pm). Definitely an amazing gastronomic find in the City of Light.