This bistro has to be one of the best values in Paris. It is the sister restaurant of the better known Chez Michel a few doors down the street, both run by the genius of Thierry Breton. The food is thoughtful and often, straight genius & changes every day. I suggest you order from the blackboard. It is brought to your table by the friendly wait staff, who will do their best to communicate with you, even if you don't speak any French at all. Don't be afraid to ask questions. They like to engage.
If they have it, try the lentil soup. Tiny pieces of raw foie gras are placed in your bowl. A tureen of soup is brought over, which you ladle into your bowl. The heat from the soup cooks the foie. Perfectly. Then there's the crab tian. Plentiful, fresh, unbelievably delicious crab, perfectly accompanied. The blackboard lists dishes that sometimes sound challenging, but trust the chef. He knows what he's doing. A stuffed duck neck, the flavors melding together to produce the perfect mouthful. A "pot au feu" in terrine. Pure genius. Other combinations that just somehow work. They also have the bistro classics. Some of the best boeuf bourguignon you'll ever eat. Roast chicken accompanied by ethereal white& green asparagus. A navarin d'agneau as goos as it ggets.
And the wine? That too is an experience. You are led to a tiny wine cellar, or vin a cave, & you pick your bottle. How many times will you have that experience? Go ahead, inspect the bottles. They don't want you to hurry. They just want you to be happy.
If you order cheese, they will leave the tray at your table. Have as much as you want.
Much is said about the brunch buffet on weekends from 2-7. Unusually for Europe, its all you can eat. There is a two-tier stand brimming with appetizers, which are frequently replaced, often with new dishes. Dishes like brandade, eggs, pates, various salads, an over-the-top leek soup, escargots, awesome fish, etc. Then, a hearty main course is brought to you. Then, there's a cheese buffet and finally a dessert buffet. Its a food lover's heaven & a wonderful opportunity to try a whole bunch of dishes.
Chez Casimir has no attitude. It looks like a leftover from the 50′s. Everyone is friendly. It is frequented by Parisians. & oh by the way, the food is inventive & delicious.
To get the flavor before you go, check out my pictures at http://somasparisbistros.wordpress.com/2014/06/29/chez-casimir-paris-lawyer-soma-sengupta-sentencing-attorney/ read more