Two halved hard-boiled eggs plated with a generous dollop of creamy tartar sauce (made with egg yolks, cornichons, capers, and mustard). This is a classic French bistro starter that costs €3 and proves that simplicity done right costs almost nothing. The eggs are cooked perfectly—firm whites, just-set yolks—and the tartar sauce is the showman. Perfect as a solo bite or paired with another small plate.
Six plump Burgundy snails nestled in their shells and bathed in a rich garlic-parsley butter that soaks into every crevice. The snails are tender and sweet, and the butter is the whole point—dip the complimentary bread (steak frites are also an option) into every last drop. At €9, this is a steal for a bistro classic. Reviewers mention these as the must-order small plate to start the evening, and they pair beautifully with a glass of white wine or Champagne.
A velvety terrine of smoked chicken liver, rich and silky, balanced by acidic cornichons and the crunch of toasted bread. At €12, it's a refined charcuterie course that shows the kitchen's attention to detail—smoked livers aren't easy to work with, but the team here nails the balance between smokiness and creaminess. It's the kind of starter that invites you to slow down and notice what you're eating.
Chunks of veal shoulder braised slowly until fork-tender, finished in a velvety sauce built on the stewing liquid, cream, and egg yolks. Mushrooms (button and cremini) and pearl onions add sweetness and texture. This is the house version of a French childhood favorite—nostalgic but refined. It appears daily at lunch as part of the €22 three-course menu and is often sold out by service's end. Reviewers highlight the balance of creaminess and lightness that keeps it from feeling heavy.
A massive rib-eye (€38 per person) aged and cooked to perfect medium-rare, plated with towering crispy fries (which diners describe as the best in Paris) and a warm béarnaise sauce spiked with tarragon. This is the showstopper dinner order—the kind of steak that reminds you why bistro cooking endures. The fries, dipped in the house-made Algerian sauce, are worth ordering extra of. Reviewers note the quality of the beef and the precision of the cooking.
Opened in 2024 by Bertrand Chauveau (formerly of Jean-François Piège) and Paul Henry, Le Cornichon is a neighborhood institution masquerading as a casual café. The interior is pure 1970s: crème-de-menthe velvet banquettes, mosaic floors, a zinc bar, and a pinball machine. Lunch is €22 for three courses; dinner morphs into a no-reservation drinks bar with crispy fries and small plates. It's won attention from Michelin and The Infatuation for delivering refined bistro cuisine without the pretension.
The lunch menu changes daily and is €22 for three courses—start with soup or salad, then blanquette or another main, then dessert. Ask what's on the semainier when you arrive.
Dinner has no reservations and is cocktail-driven with small plates and massive platters. After 9 pm, it's more bar than restaurant. Come early (7 pm) if you want a table; come late (11 pm+) if you want the vibe.
The wine list is curated and fun—not expensive. Ask the team what they'd recommend with your order. They know their list and enjoy talking about it.
The pinball machine, the velvet banquettes, the zinc bar—the whole retro vibe is intentional and irresistible. Don't miss the interior design; it's part of the experience.
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