We were staying in Reims for a couple of nights while touring the nearby champagne houses and were…read moresearching for a local but hospitable place to eat dinner, and Le Tablier looked homey and welcoming so we decided to give it a try.
This is exactly the kind of brasserie you hope to stumble into in the middle of Reims. It's right on Place Drouet d'Erlon with a big, lively terrace facing the Subé fountain. That means it gives off great people-watching vibes, although in December it was too chilly to dine outside.
The atmosphere of the restaurant hits that sweet spot between cozy, rustic, and modern. It feels relaxed but still polished, like a place that knows what it's doing without trying too hard. The tables are packed too closely together, which was a nice change as to the European norm. We were able to enjoy our dinner and conversation without touching elbows with fellow guests. To be fair, we were dining at an "off" time, so it wasn't very busy. Your mileage may vary if you visit during the popular dinner hours.
The staff were genuinely welcoming, especially to foreign visitors, which honestly stands out by French standards. English menus were available, service was friendly and easygoing, and nothing felt rushed. We were greeted warmly by the host, who immediately started speaking to us in English (how do they ALWAYS KNOW?!). We still tried to speak some French to him, which he appreciated. I swear attempting to converse in the local language does wonders when you're a tourist in Europe!
The cocktail menu is extensive and creative, and we had some excellent cocktails along with a solid house wine (typical in France) that set me back a whopping 5 Euros LOL. My hubby's cocktail was beautifully presented and garnished with dried fruit, and it was nice and strong. Even the bread basket deserves a shout out for the simple, fresh, and very snackable crusty, sliced baguette.
Food-wise, everything was quite tasty. My snail-loving hubby said the escargots (9 Euros for a half dozen) were plump, garlicky, and perfectly done. He never, ever passes up the chance to order this dish whenever we are in France, and he really raved about these. I opted for the Salmon Amandine (24 Euros), which was served with a cider and mustard sauce and butter mashed potatoes. My fish was flavorful and well-cooked, and the portion was quite large. My husband went with a steak and potatoes dish, which he said was rich and satisfying. The potatoes were fried in what tasted like duck fat, and everything was well seasoned.
Even by American standards, the portions were huge. These are definitely generous brasserie-style plates, so much so that we skipped on dessert (and the selections sounded incredible). For escargots, salmon, beef, a cocktail, glass of wine, bottled water, and all that atmosphere, we paid about €80, which felt like a great deal for the quality and location. It's not cheap, but it's worth it.
I would definitely recommend Le Tablier to visitors in the area. It's a great choice for a casual, fun meal with tasty drinks right in the heart of Reims.
