Bouillon Pigalle

Bouillon Pigalle's menu reads like a love letter to traditional French brasserie cooking, featuring the dishes that have defined Parisian dining for generations. The kitchen focuses on execution rather than innovation, preparing classics with the respect they deserve while maintaining the accessible pricing that defines the bouillon concept.

The signature dish, bœuf bourguignon with lard fumé and coquillettes at €12.20, exemplifies the restaurant's approach: a labor-intensive classic prepared properly and priced fairly. The beef arrives tender from its wine-based braise, the smoky lard adding depth, while the coquillettes provide the perfect vehicle for the rich sauce. It's comfort food that doesn't compromise on technique.

Starters showcase French brasserie staples executed with care. The œufs mayonnaise at €2.50 delivers the simple pleasure of perfectly cooked eggs with house-made mayonnaise—a dish that seems elementary but reveals a kitchen's standards. The soupe à l'oignon at €3.80 arrives properly gratinéed, the broth rich with caramelized onions, the cheese forming that essential golden crust. These aren't revolutionary interpretations; they're the dishes done right.

The menu expands to include other French favorites: magret à l'orange showcases duck cooked to proper doneness with a classic citrus sauce, while the choucroute offers the Alsatian specialty of sauerkraut with various sausages and pork. Seafood options include huîtres Fines de Claire and a demi-jarret with frites that satisfies heartier appetites. The kitchen also accommodates modern dietary preferences with vegetarian and gluten-free options, proving that tradition can adapt without losing its identity.

The cheese course features regional selections like Rocamadour at €3.60 and Bleu d'Auvergne at €3.20, offering a proper French conclusion to the meal. Desserts maintain the traditional focus with tarte citron at €3.80 and baba au rhum at €3.60—classics that provide sweet satisfaction without breaking the budget.

The beverage program complements the food with honest wine selections, house cocktails, and the full range of drinks you'd expect from a proper brasserie. The pricing throughout remains remarkably accessible, with the menu entrée/plat/dessert available from €10 for takeout, making quality French cooking available to a broad audience—exactly as the original bouillons intended.