Bank holidlaze

Although i had a good few days off (dodgy foot and all) i think that undoubtedly, the highlight of my weekend was finally getting to eat at this place :


The mythic "Bouillon Chartier" is in the 9th district and dates back to the end of the 1800's. The building was originally a railway station hall and has retained this turn of the century look with luggage rails, impressively high ceilings and the original fixtures and fittings.




Although i have been here before (quite a while ago now, but even so, i've had my eye on going back there for a long time) i'm still absolutely thrilled to bits by the hustle and bustle of the waiters and the rumble of respectful background noise.



I just love the way that at the end of the service the waiters all sit down and tote up their takings and their tips - i asked one guy how many couverts they typically serve in a sitting : 2000 in an evening and 1000 minimum at lunch time was his reply.

Very impressive indeed.



Two of us arrived at about nine o'clock and made it inside for about 9.30 - there's a huge queue every night (as seen in the first photo) and it's first come first served.


We'd have loved to have stayed later but finally left at about 11.30 with the chairs already being stacked up and the Maitre D jangling his keys and locking up the doors ...





We ate very well with your typical starter, main course, dessert and a few bottles of house wine for the princely sum of 44€ - very kind to the wallet.