It was a balmy Saturday evening and I was not going to walk too far from my hotel, as I was taking an early TGV from nearby Gare Montparnasse the next morning. My eye had spotted this little gem earlier and people were having dinner outside on high tables and stools and one became available almost as soon as I arrived, so...
Now, if you don't like charcuterie and spicy things, passez votre chemin... Osaba is a Basque deli and a small restaurant, almost as a second thought... There are tables upstairs and .weather permitting, about 10 seats outside. In the shop, you can find all sotrts of things from jamon to piment d'espelette as well as cheese and other goodies from that region of France which extend over the Spanish border on the Atlantic Ocean, the same way Cataloña does on the Mediterranean coast, from where my grand-father's family was originally...
The menu is short and sweet with various assortments of tapas or charcuterie served 'a la plancha' or on a slate.
I chose to start with a slate of three tapas for 18 euros, not cheap, but it was certainly delicious.
I was still hungry understandably, so I ordered the jamon and gratin dauphinois with a salad for anothe 19 euros and had a couple of glasses of Mignaberry from the famous Irouleguy local winery, a Tannat, an unusual varietal used in Cahors and some other more obscure wines from the South West of France. I believe it is also grown in Argentina, besides the more famous Malbec. A little bit like Primitivo/Zinfandel, it is a diddicul grape to vinify, but when done properly it is a delight, and this one without a doubt! At 7 euros a glass, it will not break the bank, and if you are a couple, then buying the bottle for 35 euros will be the best deal. Only negative, one of the waitresses was quite rude and inefficient, but she might not be there all the time. The owners are lovely though...
In conclusion
This is not a fancy restaurant, so do not expect gastronomy, but just honest and genuine provincial food at a reasonable price. I would recommend it for a quiet dinner solo or with a long term partner after a busy day in Paris, shopping or doing the touristy things, preferably on a warm evening, so you can eat outside.