Can someone please recommend a nice bistro with a genuine zinc bar? Preferably in 6th or 7th. Thanks.

Been to Le Petit Zinc and it was very good food and service.


http://www.blanc.net/

Enjoy,
Mike

I'm not sure about the zinc bar -- we never got to the bar, but we ate at Le Petit Zinc when we were in Paris a few years back. The Deco decor was beautiful and the food was very good.

It is located in the 6th arr. -- 11, rue Saint-Benoit. You can check it out at www.petitzinc.com

Have a good trip.

I believe Allard has a zinc bar, and it's exellent

Sandy

AU VIEUX BISTROT
30 rue Dunkerque,

AUX LYONNAIS
32 rue St-Marc, Paris,

Chardenoux
1 rue Jules-Valles

What's a "zinc bar"?

Well basically it is a bar covered with zinc -- metal. But the term zinc bar usually denotes a smallish neighborhood place that serves light food, drinks, and coffee. It's kind of a neighborhood hangout place.

Le Petit Zinc is a nice restaurant, but despite it's name doesn't fit the image of a traditional Parisian zinc bar.

I'm thinking of the place right next door to my apartment on St. Germaine, but I can't remember the name. It's on the north side of the street between Rue de Seine and Rue de Buci. Really sort of a small neighborhood bar, not a major brasserie. That's where I'd sit at the bar (which I THINK was zinc, but won't swear to it) for my morning coffee, and where one morning the regulars were signing a get well card for another regular or maybe an employee. They had me sign it too. That's the atmosphere of a true zinc bar.

Patrick, Is it the Café Mabillon?

No, it's much smaller and more insignificant that that. If you were facing Cafe Mabillon it is a couple doors to your left. I swear the only thing I remember on the awning is "BAR". I just looked at pages juanes and that's all I can see on the awning there too. 152 Blvd. St. Germaine

Patrick, La Taverne?

How about JML at 150 Blvd. Saint-Germain?

I think Ira wins the golden crepe award! "My apartment" was at 156. I enter either 150 or 152 and in both I can see the yellow awning of the place I'm talking about. I can still only see "bar" on the awning, but if Ira says it's called JML, he's probably right. Now after all this, I suppose someone will check it out and we'll find the bar is formica!!

Patrick, I'm going to staying at the same apartment in March, and I will check it out.

The funny thing is, when I was in Paris recently, I went to see exactly where the apartment was, and to look for the nearest place to have morning coffee, and I saw the Cafe Mabillon, but I didn't even notice that little bar. It must be really unobtrusive.

I take it that the apartment is one that you all rent often? Who do you go through to make the arrangements and is there a website?

Yes, it is that unobtrusive. I've never eaten anything there, just done coffee in the morning while my partner is getting ready -- he doesn't do coffee. And why should I make it in the apartment when I get all that atmosphere with it downstairs?

I've rented it twice and have recommended it here. Several others have since rented it and favorably reported back. The only issue I've heard is that a couple times there was were some minor "housekeeping" issues, possibly due to the quick turnover. The owner is in San Francisco. You deal with him and pay by check direct.
A representative meets you and acts as a helper if you need her during your stay. I didn't need any help, but she called anyway mid week just to make sure everything was fine.
Note: although the living room faces St. Germain and it is pretty noisy when you open the windows (and lean out to see the Eiffel Tower), it is also air conditioned and the bedroom is on a quiet back courtyard.

www.sant.com

vedette, try Allard in the 6th ( 42 rue St Andre des Arts )and hope that they have cassoulet on that day. Have fun!

we ate here and it was great!! heres a link and a picture of the Zinc bar http://www.parishotels.com/parisrest...roquet_en.html

Alot of these zinc bars have been sold to the USA as well as old English pubs' interiors of stained glass and old wood panels.

Patrick,
I just wanted to report back to you that the name of the little bar is "Old Navy".

We had coffee there a couple of times. They didn't have pain au chocolat, though.

That's right. Why couldn't I remember that? With the way I usually try to associate things, I'm surprised I didn't think it was called Banana Republic.