Allard

Since this classic, upmarket St-Germain bistro was taken over by Alain Ducasse in 2013, he has done what he is so good at. He has kept it exactly the same – the sequence of little rooms, the age-old French dishes that have become surprisingly hard to find – but made it much better. Try starters like tender green bean salad or snails, then garlicky frogs’ legs, buttery sole meunière or Allard’s classic duck with olives served for two, and a rum savarin with whipped cream to finish. Service blends friendliness and professionalism, and Ducasse protegée Laëtitia Rouabah continues the Allard tradition of female chefs (begun by Marthe Allard back in 1932). A place where nostalgia tastes delicious.

Service blends friendliness and professionalism

Address: 41, rue Saint-André-des-Arts, 75006 Contact: 0033 1 43 26 48 23; restaurant-allard.fr Getting there: Metro Odéon Opening times: daily, midday-2pm, 7pm-10.30pm Price: set-price lunch menu €34; dinner around €60 Payment type: credit cards accepted Cuisine: French Reservations: recommended