TASTING YOUR WAY THROUGH PARIS As Virginia Woolf said, "One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well." So, the next time you are in Paris, take the time to discover some very Parisian dining venues as recommended by chef, Gabriel Gaté. Gabriel Gaté is a French chef, cookbook author and TV presenter. Originally from the Loire Valley, Gabriel learned from some of France's finest chefs - working in two, 3 Michelin-star restaurants - before moving to Melbourne, Australia where he became one of the country's leading food and cooking personalities.
Bofinger - A Very Parisian Brasserie I never cease to be thrilled by the great cultural richness of Paris with its amazing galleries and museums, great markets and excellent gastronomy. At the end of a busy day experiencing the French joie de vivre I often dine in a brasserie to relax and enjoy typical French fare. In this type of restaurant you can order anything from a simple dish to a feast, comprising several dishes. There are always several set-price menus, as well as à la carte. One of my favourite brasseries is Bofinger in the Bastille district. It is a local secret tucked away from the main streets a few hundred metres from Paris’ modern Bastille opera house. When it was first opened in 1864 by Monsieur Frederic Bofinger, a native of Alsace, the tiny brasserie became popular as one of the first eating houses to serve draught beer. Today the stunning restaurant comprises several dining rooms spread over two floors.
The extensive menu offers many popular French dishes, such as onion soup, charcuterie, snails, pepper steak, French fries and pâtisseries, such as Paris brest, profiteroles with a Valrhona chocolate sauce and vanilla millefeuilles. There is also a large seafood section and may comprise several varieties of freshly shucked oysters, prawns, scampi, crab, lobster and more. In honour of the original owner, Alsatian food is well featured with many types of sauerkraut, including traditional duck and seafood. The wine list features many superb Alsace wines, as well as other regional French wines and a good choice of wine and champagne by the glass. Due to its wonderful Parisian atmosphere, a dinner at Bofinger is truly memorable. Brasserie Bofinger, 5 to 7 rue de la Bastille, Paris 75004
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