Address - 3-5 Minami Yamabushicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Opening hours - From11:30 to 2:00, and from 6:00 to 10:00 (LO). Closed on Mondays. Map - Yes Telephone - 3260-8784 Menu - In French and Japanese

What a pleasant name for a restaurant ... to me at least, it carries a trace of stability, warmth and good, familiar smells.
In this case, the name is apt, for this is just another venue of a chain of homely but excellent budget French restaurants including such gems as La Dinette, Pas-a-Pas, L'Amitie, Metro de Paris and Le Loisir. Like the others, it's a place of chequered tableclothes and reasonable prices, although it's more expensive than for example La Dinette.
Their main set is 3900 yen, almost twice what you pay there. What you get in return is a little more attention to details and some elbow room. Being small, it's usually relaxing even when crowded.
Those who know any other name of the chain will find no surprises here. The style is the same. The food is mainly classics here too. if you are like me, you will enjoy the lack of pretensions and the quiet atmosphere of the place. The rillette and the terrines are bought already made? Who cares: they are good.

December 2004