Rhubarbe confite/compoté, financier, glace café

Thank God for my nieces who introduce me to their young world ! After tasting three different expensive, pretentious and bad restaurants recently, I had the most delicious lunch at « 52 », a new spot on Faubourg Saint Denis which replaced a butcher shop. The owner Charles Compagnon, is himself worth the visit: he lives upstairs above the restaurant with his German wife and children.

Charles Compagnon, owner and manager

Three lady chefs in the kitchen and four attractive men waitressing would not be enough for a good meal if the cooking wasn’t also outstanding. The atmosphere of this Faubourg Saint Denis bistro is low key (no reservations) and sweet and the price of 55€ average is fair.

Filet mignon de porc croustillant, raifort, gnocchis sauge, abricot

The menu is a short list of vegetable starters, red beet or green peas salad, vichyssoise, pâté and a delightful plate of San Daniele. Main courses are braised beef, pork with horseradish or tuna and grilled cucumber. Desserts are a must with rhubarb (very much in season), which comes from the fancy vegetable garden of Courances managed by Valentine de Ganay or strawberries with almond biscuit and vanilla ice cream. Old cantal cheese or lemon with meringue and taragon in yoghurt.

Smoked beet salad, brousse, salto de noix, quinoa and pickles

I had a perfect Sancerre rouge Domaine Vacheron to drink and there are Spanish and Italian wines to taste.”52″ is open late at night and delivers though “Chaud Chaud Chaud”. What else can one dream of ? (52 rue du Faubourg St Denis, Paris 10th)

A low key bar and dining room at “52”

This place gets busy fairly late after the Bobo’s of the area have had their Spritz at Gros in the nearby Passage des Petites Ecuries which houses five different bars and restaurants including Brasserie Flo, a traditional after the theatre spot with great sea shell. And l’Epicerie de la Cour which serves bagels and cheep brunches on Sundays is ideal for kids.

This tiny street of the 10 th arrondissement is definitely a place to hang out if you are visiting this summer!