Les Arlots - Paris

Les Arlots is a perfectly pleasant, small bistro in the marginal 10th. While reports point to gentrification, it isn’t yet intuitive that one walks the streets in complete comfort, although any such concerns are probably unjustified. Very small, 28 seats, 22 in the street front main barroom, an unlucky 6 in the corridor between the kitchen and dining room. Earnest, dedicated, frenetic staff, friendly and bilingual. Largely French middle class, plus what seem like young neighborhood regulars. Small blackboard menu. Not unlike 25 others of similar character and history. For inexplicable reasons, Les Arlots hit the February New York Times lottery, followed by the Alex Lobrano blog and the Financial Times. Must have been a slow news day. Why and how some restaurants experience such remarkable and unique good luck while others languish for years in obscurity remains a mystery of the food (and journalism) worlds.FoodFive or so enticing first courses: white asparagus, beef cheek terrine, beet salad, fresh pea soup. Of the plats, the most popular, a house made sausage, was out by the time we ordered. Dish after dish appeared all around us at tables which ordered earlier. With a choice of five, being out of one at 8:45 is a serious failure. That left entrecote, cod or lemon sole meunière on the bone, but easy to filet, drenched in too much butter. For dessert, wonderful cheese plate, chocolate mousse or strawberry crumble. No wine list per se. Sommelier/manager asks what you would like, brings to the table several options, all reasonable in price. Our Cahors was right on at 29€.ServiceFriendly and totally in keeping with the intended character of the restaurant, but frantic. Hold onto the silver and pass the plates. PriceA la carte. Very reasonable. Entrees 10€- 16€; plats 22€; desserts 9€. For 2, 124€.

Like so many others, went here due to the NY Times article first night in Paris. Made a reservation through concierge at Westin Vendome, our hotel, for opening time. Enjoyed ourselves immensely. Yes, very cozy; yes lots of help with menu on chalkboard; yes, solid wine choices. Both had sausage/mash and chocolate mouse. Best ever for both. Sausage was a combo of three meats. Yes, a fair number of other Americans were there, too. Place was full and turning away people 45 mins later. Lots of character and the owners are wonderful welcoming personalities.

Tried out Les Arlots after reading an article at NYTimes.The place was small, around 30 pax capacity, simply decorated, but exuding warmth and friendly ambience.We tried out the homemade sausage as our appetizer, and ordered the codfish confit, slow cooked beef cheek and cabbage and aged entrecote for our main courses. All the main course were very good. My favorite was the homemade sausage. Juicy, meaty and flavorful. The jus accompanying the dish was very very tasty. Yummm. The entrecote steak were also very flavorful. Ours were slightly overcooked, but still very good. The beef cheek was so tender it fell apart once our fork touched it. So good.For dessert we ordered the chocolate tart with caramel and deconstructed keylime pie. I like the keylime pie.The place was one of those owner operated bistro. One of the owner was working the floor while the other partner cooked in the kitchen. Service was efficient and friendly. We highly recommend this place and we will certainly come back.

Very friendly, informative couple who own this quirky little place. Excellent food wine and delicious chocolate dessert. Cant recommend this little gem highly enough!

My initial lunch visit in November was for their fabled interpretation of bangers & mash (saucisse purée), which is excellent but now only available evenings and weekends. Instead you have a choice of a few starters, two main courses and some dessert, always with a twist or an unexpected flavor and beautifully served. By January you may start feeling fed up with different kind of squash, but their 'sauce aux potimarrons' was really different. The space has not grown any larger though, so don't go here for intimate or confidential conversations - go to enjoy yourself!