Au Gamin de Paris, Paris, France

Nestled in Paris' trendy Marais district (a lively quarter that also hosts Paris' gay neighborhood), Au Gamin de Paris offers traditional French dishes in a friendly, bustling atmosphere. The service and the decor (also traditional, with dark wood and candlelight) are adequate for a moderately-priced restaurant, but the real draw is the food. Au Gamin de Paris is best known for its meat dishes (particularly steak), as well as its desserts.

I ordered the beouf aux champignons (steak with mushroom sauce), prepared medium-rare. The steak was quite tender, and was covered with a generous layer of mushroom sauce. The flavorful beef mixed perfectly with the rich, buttery sauce - delicious. For dessert, I chose the charlotte aux fruits avec glace pistache (cake with fruit and pistachio ice cream), which was also delicious, though I was really wishing that I could order a second serving of the beouf aux champignons.

Au Gamin de Paris has the feel of a inexpensive neighborhood restaurant, offering the welcoming but unremarkable service and setting one would expect from a restaurant close to home, but the well-prepared, delicious entrees and desserts make it worth a longer trip.

Au Gamin de Paris
4th Arrondissement
51 rue Vieille du Temple
Paris, France
01-42-78-97-24