Best Burger In Paris | cheriecity.co.uk

Delicious Burgers at Big Fernand in Paris

June 2, 2014 by cheriecity

Big Fernand is a hip burger bar that does things a little differently, bringing a taste of the country to the centre of Paris.

Location

The ‘atelier du hamburger’ first opened on rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, with next door Little Fernand specialising in hot dogs, but I visited the second restaurant in the cool Montorgueil quarter. It’s located on the same street as Experimental Cocktail Club and Jefrey’s, so it’s a perfect destination for before or after a night out on the town.

Big Fernand’s Montorgueil restaurant is small and narrow with a lively atmosphere – a real good time place. We were greeted at the door by a smiling girl in a flat cap, plaid shirt and apron (Big Fernand’s country cool uniform), who explained how it all works. We placed our order and paid at the counter and watched by the open kitchen while our meals were being prepared.

I didn’t realise how quickly it would be served and wandered off in search of a table. A charming, super-friendly chap guided us back over to the pick-up spot to collect our meals. The staff happily and patiently steered us in the right direction with the ordering system like real pros.

It’s possible to build your own burger and customise with a choice of ingredients, but the best way to experience Big Fernand is with their suggested burger combinations as part of a little or big formule.

Le Bartholomé

I went for Le Bartholomé (€12) – an indulgent burger cooked as you wish – mine was medium – and topped with Raclette, smoked bacon, confit onions, chives and BB Fernand sauce (BBQ) and Tata Fernand sauce (cocktail sauce). The patty, made with Charolais or Blonde d’Aquitaine beef, was lean and succulent while the high quality toppings turned up the flavour, particularly the tangy, slightly piquant sauces.

The owner runs the bakery next door to Big Fernand on rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, so the fluffy sesame buns are as fresh as can be. The burger was a little smaller than I’d expected, however it was big on quality and flavour, so it didn’t disappoint.

Le Big Fernand

Steven went for Le Big Fernand (€11), the signature burger with Tomme de Savoie, sundried tomatoes, fresh parsley and Tata Fernand sauce. It’s the one to order if you prefer a simple burger that lets the flavours of the meat come through. I found Le Bartholomé a little more exciting, however they were both delicious and satisfying.

Our ‘little formules’ came with Fernandines and a choice of drink for just an additional €3. Fernandines are slim, home-made French fries covered in punchy, cajun-style seasoning. There’s a good selection of soft drinks (and beer for one extra Euro) – I washed down my burger with a bottle of refreshing Bionade Lychee and Steven had a warming Bionade Ginger & Orange.

As it was only lunchtime, we didn’t quite have room to make it a ‘big formule’, which also includes a dessert such as raspberry cheesecake, apple tartlet or a tempting Franstache – choux pastry filled with pistachio crème patisserie and fresh raspberries.

There are only a handful of communal tables and benches at Big Fernand, so we decided not to linger and walked off our lunch, before the burger sweats kicked in. However, the short time we did spend there was enjoyable, with a fun 80s soundtrack and the staff singing and joking around.

Big Fernand is a must if you’re after a tasty, rustic burger with quality ingredients. Though the burgers may seem pricey alone, a formule makes it a good value meal, particularly when you consider how expensive premium soft drinks are in Paris.

Good news for Londoners – Big Fernand will make its way across the channel, opening its first store outside of France in the autumn, thus making those Bartholomé cravings a whole lot easier to satisfy.

For more information, visit: www.bigfernand.com

All photos by Cherie City

Paris, Restaurants

The Best Burger in Paris at Le Castiglione

December 16, 2013 by cheriecity

Le Castiglione is a cosy, family-run brasserie on Paris’ prestigious rue Saint-Honoré, nestled between the Place Vendôme and the Tuileries.

Le Casti, as it’s affectionately know, is a 1st arrondissement institution and a bi-annual Paris Fashion Week haunt. Sofia Coppola declared Le Casti burger the best in Paris and it’s a favourite of Scott and Garance, weary Vogue editors, fashion buyers and off-duty models (Lara Stone is a fan).

Tho two-floor restaurant and bar is full of Parisian charm with its red velvet banquettes, wood panelling and quirky red and grey leopard print carpet.

On my recent trip to Paris for the European launch of Shinola at Colette, we had a fun dinner with the team behind the brilliant brand, with lots of good wine and indulgent food. You know it’s been a great evening when you’re the last table to leave the restaurant, not that the lovely staff seemed to mind.

Le Casti burger is a Paris food legend that has Parisians and visitors flocking to try it and I was keen to see if it lived up to the hype.

We had a lovely, big table overlooking the rue St-Honore and were served baskets of crusty bread and French butter while scanning the menu. I ordered the Jambon Bellota (19E), as I expected it to be a light starter before indulging in a burger. When it arrived, the portion size was enormous – definitely more than enough for two to share. The Bellota ham was full of flavour and simply melted in the mouth, leaving a tingly, dry sensation.

Le Casti Cheeseburger (24E) is worthy of high praise and definitely one of the tastiest, most satisfying burger that I’ve ever tried in Paris. The medium-cooked and nicely charred beef patty was packed inside a toasted sesame seed bun with layers of gooey Cheddar, optional grilled bacon and the house sauce made from a secret recipe, held together with a posh plastic pin.

The cheeseburger was served with a pot of well-seasoned, crispy French fries and a choice of condiments on request. I liked that the burger itself had a clean, non-greasy taste and the toppings made it rich, decadent and slightly sweet.

Mid-way through dinner, we all decided to go for burgers at Ralph’s the next day, so an accidental ‘battle of the burgers’ thus ensued. They were both completely different, but Le Casti had a slight advantage for its incredible signature sauce and general juiciness.

I couldn’t resist finishing with a French classic of Apple Tart with vanilla ice cream (11E). The thin and crispy pastry base was topped with layers of soft sliced apple and a crunchy, caramelised crust. We also indulged in a delicious dessert wine, which went perfectly with the tart.

Le Castiglione is a delightful, intimate place to eat comforting French classics and enjoy the atmosphere. The staff are utterly charming and patient with large groups, plus the small outdoor terrace is great for a spot of people-watching. I can see why Le Casti is spoken about so fondly and I’m sure it won’t be long before I’m lured back to those red velvet seats for more delicious burgers.

For more information, visit: www.lecastiglione.com

Chérie City was a guest of Shinola

All photos by Chérie City

Cafes, Paris, Restaurants, Stores

The Best American Burgers at Ralph’s, Paris

December 2, 2013 by cheriecity

On my recent trip to Paris for the European launch of Detroit watch brand Shinola, we continued the ‘Americans in Paris’ theme with lunch at Ralph’s on the Left Bank. Really, what could better celebrate ‘Made in America’ than Ralph Lauren?

Ralph’s is housed in the impressive Ralph Lauren flagship store within a renovated 17th century townhouse on the Boulevard Saint-Germain. Opened in 2010, it’s the second Ralph Lauren restaurant, following the RL Restaurant in Chicago.

Ralph’s features a stylish dining room, cosy bar and a pretty courtyard, which is the place to see and be seen in the warmer months.

The design of Ralph’s is New England country club chic with refined Parisian touches. It is full of old world charm with dark wood panelling, oil paintings of animals, equestrian accessories, worn leather banquettes and quirky highlights of leopard print and tartan. On each table are the most exquisite red roses and Ralph Lauren tableware, plus the waiting staff look dapper in striped blue and white shirts and pinstripes.

Ralph’s has been well-received in Paris (Ralph Lauren was awarded the Legion d’Honneur, after all) and it attracts a crowd of well-heeled locals, fashion industry folk and home-sick Americans.

We were seated close to the limestone open fireplace and were swiftly brought bowls of scrumptious deep-fried green olives to snack on.

Ralph’s is known for its authentic American-style burgers and there are six to choose from on the menu. Some of our group went for the spicy Santa Fe Burger (€33) with tobacco onions, sliced jalapenos, Cheddar cheese and BBQ sauce and I went for the classic Ralph’s Burger (€29).

My medium-cooked burger was juicy and lean, packed between fresh red onions, pickles, heirloom tomatoes, lettuce, gooey Cheddar cheese and flavoursome crispy bacon, served on a toasted sesame bun. The substantial burger was served with crunchy American Farmstead Garden Slaw and a generous amount of well-seasoned ranch style fries. Little pots of Heinz ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise in a silver pot were placed on the table without the need to request them.

Unlike the current trend for ‘dirty burgers’ oozing with meat juice, Ralph’s burgers are refined and high end, made with the best quality Black Angus beef sourced from Ralph Lauren’s Colorado ranch.

None of us had room for dessert, however, Stateside delights such as Ralph’s Brownies, Key Lime Pie and Ralph’s Favourites (an American take on a café gourmand) certainly looked tempting.

We finished our lunch with a pot of Fresh Mint Tea, which came served in an engraved silver teapot with pretty blue and white Ralph Lauren china cups.

We were treated to an enormous pot of sticky caramel popcorn to accompany our teas and coffees – a fun alternative to the usual petits fours.

Ralph’s is the perfect spot for delicious American comfort food and a bit of people watching in a stunning setting. It’s certainly pricey (considerably more than Chicago’s RL Restaurant), but for a taste of the East Coast on the Left Bank, it’s worth splashing out. Look out for the next Ralph Lauren restaurant in New York at his upcoming Polo flagship store in 5th Avenue at 55th Street.

For more information, visit: www.ralphlaurenstgermain.com

Chérie City was a guest of Shinola

All photos by Chérie City

Bars, Paris, Restaurants

Cheeseburgers at La Maison Mère in Paris

September 26, 2012 by cheriecity

La Maison Mère, just a few steps from Hotel Amour on rue Navarin, satisfies the South Pigalle bobo craving for New York-style burgers and Franco-American dishes. The dimly-lit, intimate restaurant has a retro feel with engraved glass, French school tables, white tiles and metal racks.

Steven and I met up with our old Parisian friends Coralie and Sunny to catch up over burgers and good wine – as usual, we were the last ones to leave.

We were lucky that Coralie had booked a table that day, as the restaurant was already full when we arrived. An unexpected surprise was spotting the French-Moroccan actor and comedian Gad Elmaleh at the corner table. Elmaleh is perhaps best-known outside of France for starring in Priceless alongside Audrey Tautou but unfortunately we didn’t catch a glimpse of his girlfriend Charlotte Casiraghi.

There is a good, carefully chosen selection of French wines and a mix of classic and inventive cocktails (all priced at €10). We ordered a bottle of Côtes du Rhône Villages Clos Des Mourres 2010 (€32), which was light and easy to drink.

Had we not already indulged over a three course lunch, we would have started with some Crab Cakes and Fish Tacos. Instead, we went straight for the burgers.

Steven and I both ordered the Bacon Cheeseburger (€17), served with fries, coleslaw and tomato and pickle on the side. The high quality, thick beef patty was smothered in melted Cheddar and topped with crispy bacon, packed inside a glossy, light brioche bun. The meat was a little overdone (unbelievable in Paris, I know) but still very tasty and the crisp, flavoursome hand-cut fries with with skins on were excellent.

If you’re feeling particularly decadent, there is a Black Label Burger (€20) using Black Angus steak from the US.

Coralie ordered the Pièce de thon à la plancha (€20) – seared tuna cooked on the griddle, served with ratatouille, sweet potato puree and a wedge of lime.

Sunny went for the Assiette végétarienne (€14) – a large plate of quinoa tabouleh and seasonal crudités.

For dessert Steven and I shared the Pain perdu brioché (€8) with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Pain Perdu can be difficult to cook well at home and Maison Mère’s was pretty good, if a little small, with a caramelised coating and hint of orange.

Sunny tried the Dessert du Jour, which was a fruit crumble and Coralie went for a simple classic, Mousse au chocolat (€7). The desserts were tasty, but not outstanding – you could easily end with the burgers or go for a sweet cocktail.

The food at La Maison Mère is comforting and substantial and the ambiance is cool, lively and informal. Service can either be fun and flirty or obstinate and brusque – just try to catch the eye of the waiter you prefer!

For a perfect evening in South Pigalle, dine at La Maison Mère, followed by drinks on the chic heated terrace at Hotel Amour.

Photos by Chérie City and La Maison Mère

Bars, Paris, Restaurants

Le Floréal: Best Burger In Paris?

November 6, 2011 by cheriecity

Le Floréal may seem like a regular neighbourhood brasserie, but it has been tipped as one of the new places to see and be seen, with possibly the best burgers in Paris (the subject of much debate on Paris blogs).

This former corner tabac-bar has been renovated and reopened by the team behind Chez Justine on nearby rue Oberkampf and the slightly cooler Chez Jeannette in the 10th.

Le Floréal is in the suitably hip location of Goncourt, in between the Canal St Martin and Belleville and close to Inaki Aizpitarte restaurants Le Chateaubriand and Le Dauphin.

The retro interior is a mix of Mondrian and Mad Men via Tom Cruise’s Cocktail at the kitsch, neon-covered bar. The large dining area has an intimate clubhouse feel with lots of wood panelling and leather banquettes while the raised terrace is perfect for an evening apéro, daytime people watching or drinking and smoking the evening away with friends.

We went to Le Floréal for dinner on a slightly chilly evening when most people were still holding court on the terrace, so luckily we got a table.

We had to try the Cheeseburger (12€) and although we tried and liked the burgers at Chez Justine a few years back, we had to see if the Floréal burgers were really were worth the new hype.

The cheeseburger came wrapped in white paper with some crispy, golden hand-cut fries. The medium-cooked meat was juicy and excellent quality, nicely charred on the outside and tender at the centre. The burgers are apparently made using 30% fat, as opposed to the usual 5% in France, and the steak is ground in-house, ensuring a burger with just the right amount of grease.

The burger is simple and typically French, relying on the quality and flavour of the meat rather than adding onion and herbs. The highlight is the delicious toppings and accompaniments – a brioche bun, burger sauce, lashings of melted cheese, an extra bottom layer of garlic and herb cream cheese and fresh burger staples of fresh tomato, lettuce, onion.

The menu at Le Floréal is influenced by American diners – pancakes and Eggs Benedict for the weekend brunch, all-day coffee and cheesecake and lobster on the evening menu.

Le Floréal is an all-rounder bar – good for an intimate dinner or spending all night drinking beer with friends on the terrace. Whether their burgers are the best in Paris remains open to speculation, but they are definitely one of my favourites.

Le Floréal, 73 rue du Faubourg du Temple, 75010 Paris.