Bouillon Pigalle @ Paris

This was my first proper meal in Paris.

We touched down at the City of Light early in the morning and after dropped off our luggage in the hotel and purchased travel pass/transport ticket, our first day in Paris was officially kickstarted!

We visited Marché Bastille, settled our lunch there and continued to explore the city by walking and taking metro. We walked through and enjoyed the exterior view of several Paris attractions of Seine River, Galeries Lafayette Haussmann and Notre Dame.

 

After hours of strolling, we stopped for coffee and some dainty French desserts to raise our energy level. My fellow traveler suggested to have our early dinner at Bouillon Pigalle, which is located in Pigalle, a tourist district at the foot of Montmartre – a district famous for Sacré-Cœur Basilica. 

 

Judging from the long queue and the menu in French, English and even Chinese, Bouillon Pigalle is a popular eatery among tourists and locals. Despite the long queue, their fast turnover and efficient system made the wait moved quickly, we were seated after 10 minutes of waiting.

 

The dining area of the bouillon (Parisian working-class eatery) spans two floors, like any other highly sought after restaurants, tables are cramped within the space. Red banquette seating, pristine white table cloth, white tiles wall, cheeky modern murals and some potted greens adorning the area, this bustling brasserie combines the charm of a traditional bouillon with a modern twist.

Service was swift and attentive, and seriously, there were a few good looking Parisian waiters here. (✿◠‿◠)

 

One of Bouillon Pigalle’s biggest draws? The shockingly affordable prices. Starters range from €2.50 to €7, mains hover around €10–€12, and desserts (which I regretfully had no room left for!) are under €5. Plus, you can order wine by the pitcher, with options up to a “Jeroboam” (that’s 3L!).

The menu wasn’t too compact but classic French dishes like duck confit to Ratatouille to profiteroles and  île flottante were covered.

 

In a French meal, bread, especially the baguette, is a staple often served at every course. My dining companions seem like didn’t fancy this dense, chewy rye bread. >_<“

 

Snails in Parsley Butter (€7.20)

A French classic done right. Covered with garlic and herb butter, these were earthy, herby and garlicky. Even if you’re on the fence about escargots, you have to try them when you’re in France!

 

Niçoise Ratatouille with Soft-Boiled Egg (€8.90)

It was a delightful marriage of tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, and bell peppers, infused with aromatic herbs, topped with a wobbly soft boiled egg. Rustic and full of flavour, the vegetable stew was cooked until tender, allowing their flavors to blend and create a delicious medley.

 

Beef Bourguignon with Macaroni (€12.20)

Tender chunks of slow-braised beef in red wine sauce, served over buttery elbow pasta — pure comfort food. It wasn’t fancy, but it was hearty, flavorful, and deeply satisfying.

 

Steak Frites with Pepper Sauce (€12.60)

Generously portioned, the steak was only seasoned with salt (on the surface) to retain the original flavour of the beef. We weren’t asked for the doneness of the steak when ordering and the steak served was rather overcooked, rendering a tough texture. I reckon the meat cut also another factor that contributed to that underwhelming experience. The side of golden fries were crispy perfection. The pepper sauce on the side added that creamy punch of flavor.

 

Verdict: Authentic Parisian food but certainly not on the gastronomic level. Affordable price tag and the no-frills Parisian dining experience are what you can expect to find here.

 

Bouillon Pigalle

22 Boulevard de Clichy, 75018 Paris, France.

Tel: +33-1425 96931

Operating hours: 12.00pm to 12.00am, daily

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BouillonPigalle/

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