*The Myth of the Brasseries

Paris and fine dining have long been associated with one another:

Snails, frogs legs, goose liver… it can be daunting. [Y]ou don’t have to try all the crazy things the French eat. But if you are going to try it, well, Paris is the place to do so. (Huffington Post)

Because of this association, people planning their France vacations invariably put out calls for aid in structuring collaborative lists of their friends’ favorite recommendations for brasseries, the traditional French eateries.

According to travel correspondent Ramona Flume in her blog entry “Ten Things You’d Never Guess about Paris,” however, if you’re more interested in excellent wine, good food, and friendly service than in checking a box off of your tourist checklist, you may want to consider avoiding the traditional brasseries in favor of local wine bars:

[T]he brasseries–the old restaurants–are all pretty much terrible now. They’ve been bought out by corporations, and they’re just looking at the bottom line. It’d be great if they just went back to serving really great French food again, source good ingredients, and be known for food–not for the name. (Fox News)

Flume further cites that at wine bars in local neighborhoods, diners can enjoy a dynamic, “happening” atmosphere paired with friendly service and culinary expertise. She especially recommends that visitors “go out to the 12th arrondissement, up to the Rue des Martyrs in the 9th arrondissement, the 15th has some interesting places.”

In an article covering the Top 10 wine bars in Paris, Alexander Lobrano sings the praises of new, trendy new wine bars in which innovative young chefs provide quality cuisine to match the fine wines for which Paris has long been famous. He goes on to provide a list of his top ten picks – a list that you would find very helpful should you choose to expand your Paris experience to include wine bars.

For more information on traditional brasseries, wine bars, or our wine tours, and planning your next visit to Paris, please feel free to contact us. We look forward to serving you.