Perhaps it's been posted before, but I have had lunch 3 times already at Le Comptoir in St Germain des Pres. It has a hotel attached and a great creperie (take away) also.

The secret to getting a table (as they don't take reservations) is to get there 11.45 am and they open up at 12 pm. The souris of lamb is to die for, so is the octupus salad. My friend had the chestnut and celery soup with foie gras and the seared tuna. All came to around Euro35 per person with a glass of wine and sparkling water.

Must try when visiting Paris and lunch there is a better chance than dinner.

Thanks TPaxe, I had heard of this place. Glad to know it is worth the effort. How large a place? Any idea about dinner,same idea for getting in?

I vaguely remember something about it being associated with a hotel...

Bookmarking.

Thank you!

Found this Fodor's Review:

For a blissful couple of months, Yves Camdeborde's new bistro in the hotel he runs with his wife was something of a secret. It couldn't stay that way for long, given the St-Germain location and the stunningly executed bistro fare for which Camdeborde was so famed at La Régalade. Now the restaurant takes hundreds of calls a day for the single dinner sitting (a five-course, EUR 40 set menu), so it's probably best to try your luck at lunch (noon-6 PM) or on weekends (noon-11 PM), when no bookings are taken. Start with charcuterie or pâté, then choose from open-faced sandwiches, salads, and a handful of hot dishes such as braised beef cheek or roast tuna. The tiny Art-Deco dining room seats only about 20, and sidewalk tables make for prime people watching in summer.

Dinner reservations are pretty impossible..best, is fo lunch, as above....

There are about 10/12 tables on the terrasse (heated in winter). Each table takes a cosy 2. Inside there are about 9 tables, some taking four, three or two.

The only way to get a dinner reservation is to stay at the hotel. The guests there get first priority. But lunch is fun, great ambiance, delicious food and fantastic neighborhood.

bm

We did the same thing u did, TPaxe, and had 3 fantastic lunches during our last year's Feb visit to Paris. Defintely worth the 10 minutes or so standing in line waiting for it to open for the delicious lunch. Also noticed that the tables at lunch turned over fairly quickly and I never saw anyone waiting more than 10 minutes or so.

Bookmarking - thank you!

bm

We waited until 2-2:30 and didn't wait at all. They are open for lunch until 4:30. My husband loved the tuna provencal!

bm thank you

We stayed at the hotel in May for 5 nights and loved it along with the fabulous dinner at night. It was a bit chilly that night and they provided lap blankets as well as having the overhead heaters. The fromage platter is to die for as well as the dessert. The breakfast is wonderful and I highly recommend the hotel and restaurant.

Last year we called 8 months in advance for a dinner reservation but was not able to get one since most tables are reserved for hotel guests. Was lucky enough to get dinner reservations for this May (booked in Nov.!!) I think dinner is 42euros and we are looking forward to it. GraceJoan has hinted that it is not as good as it was and I hope to visit the foodie websites for clarification. The cheese course does look great!

Thank you TPaxe.

thanks for the tip! lynda

Wow - that sounds incredible. Glad to hear you had such a wonderful experience! Sounds exactly like a place I would love to frequent. I will keep this info in mind should we return to Paris.

I fitted Le Comptoir in yesterday. I was in the Left Bank anyway.

I should have read the thread a little bit more carefully. I think I might have ordered the least appetizing things on the menu.

The menu is in French and the chef seems to have a knack for using unusual body parts. I was thinking of ordering the beef cheeks (joue in French -- I asked the waitress), but then I changed my mind. There was one other beef dish, but she said they were out. So I didn't bother to ask her what cut of beef it was.

I ended up with the jarret de porc -- I asked what jarret is. No answer -- I just checked Google and it's translated this as shank. But the dish was served cold and not very appetizing *to me.* I think someone else might have loved it.

I started with the creme de marron (chestnut cream) soup (portage).

It got crowded quickly. One French woman graciously said I got there first (true) and gave me the option of having an inside table. She sat outside.

It seemed like there was no "menu" option for lunch (i.e. no set lunch). I think I paid over 30 euros for the two dishes and mineral water (about 3.50 euros?).

What are some other opinions on this restaurant? I've read a lot about it.