Le Garde Temps (Paris, France)

Our first dinner back in Paris turned out to be very good.  We decided to try new bistros on this trip.  We read a lot good press about Le Garde Temps.  The restaurant is situated in the 9th arrondissement.  This is the new place of chef Benoit Gauthier, who also is famous with Le Grand Pan in the 15th (where we had a great dinner that only consisted of very good meat).  The co-owner of Le Garde Temps is Marc Rosenzweig who was running the room.  The executieve chef is Pierre Siewe from chez Camdeborde...with the three guys like this opening a new place; no wonder there is a buzz about the place.

Le Garde Temps small but long restaurant.  Very simply decorated but it still had so much charm to it.  Brick wall on one side and stone wall on the other added texture and colour to the bistro.  The chocolate brown wood tables and chairs blended well with surroundings.

My friend's starter was Filet de maquereau (8.00 euros).  The fillets of mackerel was fresh, firm and tasty.  The mackerel was served in two ways; bite chunks and fillet.  Nothing special but just good fish that was the star of the dish.

My starter was Salade de salicorne (8.00 euros).  The green beans, Paris mushrooms and salicorne (seaweed) were very fresh, cooked perfectly and the combination of the ingredients tasted so good.  A very nice combination of textures, colors and flavours.

The were only two people running the room; Mr. Rosenzweig and a female wait staff.  The place was packed but between the two of them; the service was friendly and efficient.  Mr. Rosenzweig was not only helpful with the food but also had good advice on the wines.

My friend's main dish was Onglet de boeuf (15.00 euros).  The beef was of good quality, very tender and juicy.  It was cooked perfectly.  The beef was sitting on a bed of spinach.  The beef jus sauce was rich and flavourful.  A simple dish done well.

My main dish was Cote de cochon (18.00 euros).  A large piece of pork which was also tender and juicy.  The sauce was light and foamy but added the necessary flavours.  A lovely dish.

Overall; a very nice, a simple place for good food at amazingly affordable prices.  Le Garde Temps is the kind of bistro I like.  Nothing pretentious; but a very comfortable, easy-going and friendly place to go.  The food is also not pretentious; just good seasonal cooking with good ingredients.  This for sure is a good addition to the neighborhood.

Address:  19 rue Pierre Fontaine, 75009 Paris

Telephone:  09 81 48 50 55