When in Paris, Enjoy Classic Bistro Cuisine and Wine

Strolling around Paris today? Planning your next adventure to the City of Light? Don’t forget to add one of the many Parisian bistros that are found on almost every street to your itinerary. Whether you decide to sit on the bistro’s streetside and indulge in a bit of people-watching or stay cozy inside at a corner booth, the vibe is pure Francais! This month the #Winophiles, a group of writers who crave all-thing-French, are exploring the bistro lifestyle through wine and food. For inspiration, check out their articles at the end of mine.

My first experience in Paris was decades ago when I was an exchange student in college. For a month one summer, I lived in my host family’s apartment above their jewelry store. Each day, our small group of friends would explore Paris and at some point, settle in for a café au lait, croissant, mid-day snack or light meal at a small bistro (or bistrot). Naturally, a glass or bottle of wine shared the table with us!

But what is a bistro, really? In essence, it’s a small restaurant serving affordable, traditional foods – no haute cuisine there! Offerings are usually based on French recipes that focus on fresh, seasonal fare and of course, complemented with wine from smaller producers. The menu is usually limited and changes daily based on availability in the markets. This is home cooking at its best and this maman approves!

The bistro became popular in France throughout the 19^th century thanks to the Auvergnats, those who originated from Auverne, who developed the concept with a menu of meats, wines and spirits. By the 20^th century, the French bistro became of recognized cross-section of Parisian life and “the hallmark of the French lifestyle” that inspired a plethora of artists, writers and more.

While at Parisian bistros, I’ve indulged in classic omelettes, soup a l’oignon, fish and chips, salade nicoise, escargots, beef bourguignon, coq au vin, sole meuniere, cassoulet, steak-frites (a staple) – the list goes on. (Wine included!)

Just last year, two weekends in Paris bookended a memorable river cruise along the Rhone River from Avignon to Lyon. And while in this enchanting city, as a break between museum visits, shopping and astounding architectural views, my husband and I relaxed at a few French bistros. His menu choice was usually a fish or beef dish and mine was either a fresh salad, roast chicken or croque monsieur, a simple yet decadent sandwich.

I’ve come to discover that the Croque Monsieur was originally intended as a quick on-the-go snack for busy Parisians. It’s made by grilling ham, bechamel sauce and Gruyere cheese in between two slices of soft sliced bread or sourdough then spooning more bechamel and cheese on top of the sandwich and running it under the broiler. Trust me, once you’ve had this extraordinary dish, your taste buds will thank you! This last time, though, I decided to have the Croque Madame, a riff on the traditional Croque Monsieur – it includes a fried egg over the broiled bechamel and cheese. Yes, please! Served with steak frites and a small salad, there’s nothing better than this mouthwatering indulgence. For an easy recipe for Croque Madame, click here.

To accompany the Croque Madame at the Paris bistro I chose a glorious Cru Beaujolais and I paired both sandwich and wine again just recently at home. 2019 Chateau Thivin Côte de Brouilly ($32) showed the influence of the Côte de Brouilly’s blue diorite terroir with notes of gunflint and minerality. The incredible fruit notes – blueberries, violets, blackberries and plums – along with firm but not overpowering tannins and moderate acidity were glorious with my new favorite Paris bistro delight. From organically certified vines with an average age of 50 years, this stunning Gamay was aged in oak for 6 months before bottling.