Le Terminus du Châtelet is once such business. Run by father and son, Robert and Thomas Sucheyre, this quaint little restaurant with Parisian panache was started in 1929 by Thomas' great-grandfather.
It is named after the end of the Châtelet tram-line, which no longer runs here. Transport here now is served by the world's biggest underground station, according to Wikipedia, Châtelet Les Halles where one can get onto one of five different metro lines and 3 different RER routes. There are also a tonne of bus stops in this area too. Suffice it to say, Le Terminus du Châtelet is easy to get to, and it's a good thing too - if you visit Paris, you really should stop by, if even just to have a little bottle of wine!
Or a beer!
Thomas and Robert are super-friendly, speaking English (or French, if like me, you want to practice) and happy to talk you through their delicious menu - written in French, but that's not a problem!
I went first for lunch and was immediately impressed - by the decor...
... by the friendly staff... here Thomas is showing me that the old meat slicing machine still works. It was lovely to see the pride that Thomas has in the business, great to see a new generation valuing the merits of the past...
...and above all, by the food. I just had to come back and have dinner here too. Robert took the time to discuss my companion's dietary needs - no dairy, no red meat, no sauce (to mention a few!).
As for me, my only dietary need is that I have to eat!
This was the most delicious swordfish (the fish with the "pointy nose" as Robert described it) I've ever had.
The cod was amazing and "fall apart" tender too. The mushrooms were to die for - full of flavor and the perfect compliment to the fish.
Here's their mushroom delivery showing the range of mushrooms they use.
They do seem to really like mushrooms and this giant one is part of the interesting decor... not for eating!
Apparently this old coffee machine works too, though they use a modern one, you can just see it in the background.
Byddi Lee
