Lunchtime Favorite

From the outside, it looks like just another banal corner bistrot, one of the dozens that crowd the busy Saint Lazare neighborhood. Le Laffitte might easily be missed by anyone not in the know—except for the large crowd outside on the sidewalk waiting for tables.

Ten years ago, three close friends—Claude, Olivier and Lulu—took over this small but charming place with its long wooden bar and red-and-white checkered tablecloths, bringing with them a rare atmosphere, gregarious smiles and an easygoing attitude that has led me, like many others, to consider it a second home.

Depending on the weather—and the size of the crowd—you will have to choose between the tiny outdoor terrace facing the beautiful church of Notre Dame de Lorette, or the main room, decorated with posters from the popular movie comedy Les Tontons Flingueurs.Meat lovers are in their element here, feasting on the very reasonably priced, tender and tasty steaks or steak tartare and the succulent patates sautées, sautéed potatoes just as crusty and delicious as they should be.

Add to that the homemade mousse au chocolat, or a generous riz au lait, and you’ll understand why the place is always packed with white-collar workers from local offices and journalists from the nearby headquarters of the daily newspaper Le Figaro and the weekly newsmagazine L’Express, discussing the news while sipping from generously poured glasses of red wine.

You might not discover innovative or even contemporary cuisine at Le Laffitte, but you will find such satisfying, authentic French cooking that, for you too, it might quickly become your favorite Parisian canteen.

 

43 rue Laffitte, Paris 9th

01.42.80.07.66.

Open Mon–Fri lunch only, and until 7 pm for drinks.

€15–€ 20. Wines start at €18.

Prices are approximate, per person

 

 

Originally published in the March 2013 issue of France Today.