Cinq-Mars Restaurant - Paris, France

Cinq-Mars on the trendy rue Verneuil in the 7th arrondissement, is the perfect choice if you want to find a great locals-only restaurant. It’s such a welcome break from the typically busy, and often noisy traditional style brasseries. No gilt and crimson velvet here; the decor is very simple with unadorned wooden tables and chairs, and the extensive Cinq-Mars wine list is written on a wall of blackboard which separates diners from the kitchen.

The food is equally simple, but never boring, and cooked to absolute perfection. There’s everything from oyster mushroom toast to pumpkin soup to sardines in olive oil for starters. Happily there are several vegetarian  main dish options, and this turbot with green beans in garlic cream hit the spot.

Desserts include good old standards like french brioche toast and rice pudding. The Cinq-Mars chocolate mousse is apparently a thing of legend, but the lighter chocolate sorbet won out in the end.

The atmosphere here is delightfully warm and welcoming. If your French is a little rusty, staff speak perfect English, and will happily give you an English menu if you’re struggling. Cinq-Mars is small and so fills up quickly. It’s recommended to book ahead for dinner on a Friday or Saturday evening, or pop along at 8pm when it opens for dinner; you’ll be ahead of the crowd as typically Parisians dine late.

This is the local French neighbourhood restaurant of your dreams.

For further information please visit: www.cinq-mars-restaurant.com

All images by CELLOPHANELAND and Cinq-Mars.