Friday lunch was an absolute beauty…read more
The food? Fantastic.
The wait times? Let's just say we're in Paris, not a Formula 1 pit lane. We'll leave it at that.
We headed to Chez Janou, a Paris institution. I hadn't been in years, but my son insisted we go back because, according to him, they have the best chocolate mousse in Paris.
Judging by the lineup, half the city; and every tourist with an Instagram account showed up. Thankfully we had a 2pm reso.
Here's the thing, though. Everyone talks about the mousse, but the food deserves just as much attention.
I'd also forgotten how much I love the 3rd arrondissement. Wander a few minutes from the restaurant and you'll find beautiful art galleries, a gorgeous little park, and some of the best boutique shopping in Paris. It's one of those neighbourhoods where you accidentally walk 15,000 steps without realizing it.
Now, here's your game plan.
Start with the escargots or the gambas to share.
For your main, order the farci provençal or the foie de veau.
The farci is like a French version of a stuffed pepper: yummy comfort food with a southern coast twist.
As for the foie de veau... I actually ordered it by mistake. I thought I was getting regular veal. Out came veal liver.
Best mistake of the day.
I love liver. My mom makes an incredible liver and onions, so I'm a tough judge. This was outstanding. Rich, buttery, perfectly cooked and perfectly salted. It was so good I immediately texted my mom and told her she's coming here the next time she's in Paris.
Drum roll, please...
The chocolate mousse.
Was it worth all the hype?
Yep.
There are no fancy swirls or little artistic desserts here. A server simply walks over carrying what looks like a white industrial-sized bowl of chocolate mousse and casually drops a mountain of it onto your plate. Everyone grabs a spoon and starts digging in.
It's wonderfully French.
Simple.
Unpretentious.
Ridiculously good.
So yes, Chez Janou lives up to the hype. But don't just come for the mousse. Come for the lunch, stay for the neighbourhood, and spend the afternoon getting happily lost in one of the best corners of Paris.
That's a Friday well spent.