Chances are when a shop or restaurant has a line, it’s either very good and/or cheap. Chez Aline is both.
Stumbling upon Chez Aline on my way to a friend’s house near in between Bastille and Voltaire, it appeared to be a typical, hole in the wall sandwich shop but upon closer view there was something more to it.
Grazing the chalkboard menu, scrawled in the usual, almost illegible French penmanship, I was hard pressed to choose one item, as everything made my mouth water. Should I get the smoked haddock with pickles, or chicken pot a feu or zucchini, feta and olive tapenade, all on baguette, or should I get something on a sesame bun? When push came to shove, and it was my turn to order, I blurted out smoked haddock with pickles and dill cream on a fresh made sesame bun, leaving my other choices in the dust. It’s rare having smoked haddock on a menu in general, especially in sandwich form. What the sign didn’t have on it was the wonderful selection of healthy side salads, which I also had difficulty choosing one.
The sandwich was made to order on the spot, and while I was waiting, I sat on a high stool facing the narrow counter on the wall. The pickled herring and cream sauce were delicious and the fresh roll added an extra layer of taste. My side salad of broccoli and feta tossed with roasted, buttery pine nuts was a perfect accompaniment. I was too full on this rare occasion for the appealing apple crumble for dessert. Organic fruit juices and nectars and artisanal beer are offered.
So good was my lunch that day, I made a special trip a few days later and had the chicken pot a feu on baguette, another winner, plus a terrific roasted beet salad with raspberries.
I will return to Chez Aline for sure, as I can’t get away from that incredible French bread with fabulous fillings, no matter how hard I try.
Sandwich prices start at 5€, salads 4€.
Restaurant Chez Aline Open Monday to Friday, 11:30AM -4PM
85 rue de la Roquette, 75011
TEL +33 1 43 71 90 75
Metro: Voltaire, Bastille, Bréguet - Sabin
My Paris Apartment for Rent –November 18-December 5
I am looking to rent my fabulous Paris apartment in the heart of the Marais near St. Paul metro, anytime between November 18 to December 5 for 7-10 nights. It's a spacious one-bedroom 750 sq. ft. loft style apartment with 12 ft. ceilings, decorated in chic Mid-Century Modern furniture and sleeps two people in a Queen size bed. Amenities include washer/dryer, 16" flat screen TV, dishwasher, internet connection/Wifi and free long distance calls to the U.S. The apartment is located on the second floor with a large elevator.
The price 7 nights is 165€ per night/1155€, for 10 nights 150€ per night/1500€ Photos upon request.
Please email me at [email protected] if you are interested.
I am so pleased to have Ann Mah as my guest this week at on A Bite of Paris. We went to Le Mistral, her favorite Paris bistro and had their signature dish, aligot, a rich, creamy mix of whipped potatoes and cheese from the Aveyron region.
Click here or link below to watch Ann and I enjoy aligote.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiRHIW7Oitw&t=4s
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Tours start at 225 euros for up to 3 people, and 75 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you, my insiders, Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com
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