Even though I’ve been living in Paris for over a decade now (time flies!) and go out quite regularly (you know it!), I still often discover Parisian institutions that I was completely unaware of…
That’s how, a few weeks ago, I headed to the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés to spend a jazzy evening Chez Fernand, an establishment founded in 1970.
The atmosphere of the place is authentic and friendly; you find large tables covered with gingham tablecloths, you can easily chat with your neighbor at the table even if you don’t know them, and you can really feel that this is a spot for regulars who have been coming back for many years.
It feels almost like another era, the golden age when Saint-Germain-des-Prés was the hub of a cultural and artistic effervescence that is a bit forgotten today… But clearly not everywhere…
Since the beginning of 2017, Chez Fernand has been hosting the jazz group Diximus every other Sunday from 8 PM to 11 PM to provide a little musical evening for its customers, and we were lucky enough to be invited to discover one of them.
This young trio of jazz musicians, who formed after meeting at the conservatory, interprets great themes, ballads, and standards from the swing, bebop, and bossa nova repertoire, as well as personal compositions.
As for the cuisine, chef Rémi Lebon selects French products according to the seasons and daily arrivals, and offers generous traditional dishes.
To taste:
Just to warn you, as we had a sort of small tasting menu, the portions of the dishes were slightly smaller than usual to allow us to survive this dinner, so don’t rely on the photos for the quantities.
- First starter, an appetizer, with king prawns accompanied by a leek fondue and pumpkin seeds.
- For a starter, the fresh green bean salad with shallots and pumpkin seeds (€9.50) is super crunchy, it’s a treat! An ultra-simple dish but very well executed.
- Another starter with the ravioli with foie gras sauce and porcini mushroom cream (€16.50).
- The mythical house beef bourguignon accompanied by steamed potatoes (€20.50). It really is the chef’s signature dish.
- Beef hanger steak with a potato gratin and a red wine sauce, which was one of the daily specials if I recall correctly…
- The toasted scallops with lentils, I believe that was also one of the daily specials on the chalkboard.
- For dessert, the mythical café gourmand at Chez Fernand (here in actual portion size – €15.50), which is one of the house’s great classics and which I suggest you share with someone because there is plenty for two…
The wine list: the cellar offers great Bordeaux vintages as well as wines from small producers with good value for money, and don’t hesitate to ask for advice to find the wine that will pair well with your dish!
Thanks to Chez Fernand for this invitation.
Chez Fernand Restaurant des Bistronomes 13 rue Guisarde 75006 Paris open 7 days a week from 12 PM to 2:30 PM and from 7 PM to 11 PM (midnight on Friday and Saturday)
Find all my restaurant reviews in Paris below:
⇒ All my restaurant reviews in Paris
MAP OF MY GOOD FOOD SPOTS IN PARIS AND THE ILE-DE-FRANCE REGION
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Patisserie / Bakery 
Tea Room / Coffee Shop
Brunch 
Ice cream parlor
Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez Photos are not royalty-free, photographer's authorization required before any use
