The Great Parisian Plate Debate

22 Rue Lemartine 75009 (approximately)

I was quite relieved when I finally found this place. Christian had picked it out because it was just down the street from the Bistrot Canaille. He had given me simple directions, but even so I had a hellish time finding it. I’m wouldn’t go so far as to say I got lost, but rather was a tragic victim of Paris’ arcane city planning.

When I did finally get there, I was instantly rewarded by two amazing things: a glass of cool wine and a plate of cashews. The wine was good, but let me concentrate on what’s important—I love cashews. Most Parisian bars, if anything, serve olives or peanuts. I don’t think I’ve ever even seen one with cashews, so this was truly monumental. So much so that this seemingly simple detail deftly won my favor.

We drank our wine under the awning and watched people preparing to scurry in case the rain began. We prepared ourselves to point and openly mock them. Sadly it held off.

The inside was full of charmingly garish neon signs befitting a neighborhood pizza joint/bar/café. While this is not an establishment I would cross town for, if in the neighborhood, I certainly would come back for another drink. And cashews!