I looked over the menu online. Always a good idea. They have a reasonable daily plat du jour/daily special(23€). Bonnie said, when they stayed in the 7th, they would go at noon Sundays and get the chicken.
Visiter Ann was staying in the 7th. It didn’t take much arm-twisting to convince Anne we should go for Sunday lunch. La la la la la 🤸♂️
I made the reservation. So easy. They were so nice. They asked did we want to sit upstairs or downstairs. Downstairs (street level) I said. They really do prefer you make reservations ahead. Its not a museum. They need to know how many baguettes 🥖 to buy.
French restaurants open for lunch at noon and close at 3pm. They will not let you in, even 1 minute before. Its so much better to cooperate and play by their rules. Once you cross the threshold, you are in their domaine.
Being there early means you have the place to yourself and can take a good look around. Take pictures. Nice old-fashioned soap 🧼 dispensers.
When I do go into places alone, usually I know exactly what I want to eat and tell the waiter before they even bring the menu. I want them to know I won’t be causing problems or taking up too much time. Ann noticed the couple (spoke English too) next to us made a bit of a fuss ordering. In the end, they got exactly what they saw we were eating - the plat de jour 😊
On Sundays, Parisians usually arrive for lunch around one o’clock 🕐 They like to sleep in on the weekends.
There is a very pleasant convivial feeling to Fontaine de Mars. How was the chicken you ask? We both thought it was the best chicken 🍗 we’d ever eaten.
Thank you for all your wonderful Duvet advice. My iPad (so helpful aren’t they) popped up an ad and I bought it. Yay Hooray 🍾 If you like this post please support it by buying my Paris letters and watercolors. And do pass on to someone who might enjoy it. Happy Mardi/Tuesday dear PBers! 🍷 🍷🍷🍷🐻
This post brings back many fond memories. We have eaten at La Fontaine de Mars several times. It was recommended to us by our daughter-in-law’s cousin who studied in Paris for a year. The first time we went was with our son and daughter-in-law. Thanks for the memories.
I think this is the restaurant that Phil Rosenthal profiled on his wildly popular show a few years ago ("Somebody Feed Phil"). I recognize the awnings and curtains, and certainly the popularity of its famous chicken.
Lucky you, Carol. Maybe next time I'm in Paris I'll splurge!
Love your aquarelle of the restaurant - it looks so inviting. I can't imagine you being timid about going into any restaurant alone as you exude confidence in everything you do.
Oh my goodness…I LOVE this place…it is everything you would expect “a classic Paris Bistro” to be…dependably good food…friendly staff…atmospheric…and not terribly expensive. There is something special about their Sunday lunches. There are so many French families in attendance, all greeted by the staff as if they were their families. It’s very warm and cozy. Your watercolor of Fontaine’s red checkered table is AMAZING! ❤️
Thanks Suki for the hardy laugh :)) I do not exude confidence…maybe when sleeping? Bonnie it does have a friendly atmosphere almost like the regulars are eating at home..
This made me quite nostalgic for the Paris of my extreme youth. Paris was the first city that I was allowed to roam in (age 10-11!) and the rue Saint Dominique was part of my regular beat. We lived on rue de l’Université, between Av Bosquet and rue Malar, on the north side. The rue Saint Dominique, parallel, was a natural route to the Champ de Mars and the Invalides. Rue Malar had a rather exotic feel as one moved south. I remember very well the blind man playing a saw with a bow, making a weird, sad sound. That must have been near the corner of the rue Saint Dominique.
This post brings back many fond memories. We have eaten at La Fontaine de Mars several times. It was recommended to us by our daughter-in-law’s cousin who studied in Paris for a year.
ReplyDeleteThe first time we went was with our son and daughter-in-law.
Thanks for the memories.
Don’t know why I waited so long…silly me
ReplyDeleteLove your red checked tablecloth sketches.
ReplyDeleteOne of My favorite subjects Suzanne ❤️
ReplyDeleteWe love this restaurant. Their Œufs en meurette are delicious.
ReplyDeleteAll your posts about food are “killing” me! How elated I would be to have a meal in Paris!
ReplyDeleteLove your water color❤️🗼🍷
I think this is the restaurant that Phil Rosenthal profiled on his wildly popular show a few years ago ("Somebody Feed Phil"). I recognize the awnings and curtains, and certainly the popularity of its famous chicken.
ReplyDeleteLucky you, Carol. Maybe next time I'm in Paris I'll splurge!
Love your aquarelle of the restaurant - it looks so inviting. I can't imagine you being timid about going into any restaurant alone as you exude confidence in everything you do.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness…I LOVE this place…it is everything you would expect “a classic Paris Bistro” to be…dependably good food…friendly staff…atmospheric…and not terribly expensive. There is something special about their Sunday lunches. There are so many French families in attendance, all greeted by the staff as if they were their families. It’s very warm and cozy. Your watercolor of Fontaine’s red checkered table is AMAZING! ❤️
ReplyDeleteThanks Suki for the hardy laugh :))
ReplyDeleteI do not exude confidence…maybe when sleeping?
Bonnie it does have a friendly atmosphere almost like the regulars are eating at home..
I have no problem eating alone in Paris. ..from local bistros to Le Grand Véfour. It’s all in your attitude.
ReplyDeleteGo for it !
I couldn’t resist…as soon as I saw it…zoom! You’ve done like 4…5?? of our fav restaurants…I’m adding this to the lineup! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThis made me quite nostalgic for the Paris of my extreme youth. Paris was the first city that I was allowed to roam in (age 10-11!) and the rue Saint Dominique was part of my regular beat. We lived on rue de l’Université, between Av Bosquet and rue Malar, on the north side. The rue Saint Dominique, parallel, was a natural route to the Champ de Mars and the Invalides. Rue Malar had a rather exotic feel as one moved south. I remember very well the blind man playing a saw with a bow, making a weird, sad sound. That must have been near the corner of the rue Saint Dominique.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your talent!!
ReplyDelete