A typical modern French brasserie
4 Place du Maréchal Juin, Paris 17th

After an impromptu visit to my cousin and his wife who live in his late Mum's apartment a little further away, a place I stayed at for a few months when I was at Uni in the 70s, and which I had not visited for decades and certainly not since he took over, I was left to find a nearby restaurant for Sunday lunch and was not going to spend a fortune at any of the other two very famous restaurants on Place Pereire, now called after the Maréchal Juin. The métro station is still called Pereire, just to confuse the tourists...

---

My view from the terrasse at L'Hortensia, Place Pereire, now called Place du Marechal Juin

On the week-ends, L'Hortensia has a "formule" for 25 euros with 2 courses and a coffee, which I upgraded to a "café gourmand" the best value dessert you can have in Paris, and even for that money you get a nice table cloth, bread and beurre d'Isigny portion. Mind you, the carafe of Chardonnay will set you back as much as lunch!

​Now, don't be afraid to go for something as apparently mundame as an "artichaut"! This one was big and delicious and that sauce was to die for. It forces you too to eat slowly and watch the girls go by....
​

And then, what else than salmon? Sunday is my fish day and this one was very traditionally and perfectly cooked
'à l'unilatéral' , a classic from the 80s and still one of the best way to cook this amazing fish! A simple "beurre fondu" and some basmati rice make for the most simple and healthy side.
​

The traditional "café gourmand" to finish a perfect meal

In conclusion

This is one of many affordable brasseries in Paris, with a modern and elegant decor inside and a great terrasse for when the weather is clement, which was the case mid September 2017 when I visited. I will be back!