I recently had a charming traditional lunch at the famous Au Pied de Cochon in Paris with a journalist friend of mine who thought it would be a great way to sample a classic without traveling out of the city center.
On the out and inside, it’s classic old French brasserie style, specializing in top notch quality food and seafood of course.
In addition to the white tableclothed tables inside, you can also sit outside which is a little more casual and there’s a beautiful bar with decadent walls and ceilings throughout.
This renowned restaurant in Les Halles has been around since 1947. Representing the beating heart of the capital, the Pied de Cochon is an emblematic witness to the Paris of yesteryear. Both a popular venue and a special haunt for celebrities, the Pied de Cochon has always been a place of festive spirit with a motley clientele. Tramps even had their « tramp corner » and every evening could relish onion soup offered by owner Clément Blanc.
Over the years, the Pied de Cochon soon won over the hearts of foreign celebrities, including Hollywood stars, politicians and sports personalities eager to discover this mythical place where popular canailles dishes (pork meats) were served. But it also had its ups and downs, particularly during the Occupation. After three different managements and closures due to black market trading, the hour of Liberation came.
Now onto the food, which is ultimately why you should try this place out in addition to the fact that it’s a Paris institution of sorts.
In 1977, Jacques Chirac, then Mayor of Paris, became a regular to the premises. A period of rebirth was heralded in 1980 with the opening of the first Forum des Halles and to give you an idea of the clientele beyond the political scene, guests over the years have included the likes of Robert Doisneau, Françoise Sagan, Joséphine Baker, Serge Gainsbourg, Mime Marceau, Alfred Hitchcock, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Vittorio de Sica and Gilbert Bécau.
Take a look at additional main course menu items.
- Saint Anthony’s temptation, breaded pig’s tail, ear, snout and trotter with Béarnaise sauce
- Prime traditional Andouillette de Troyes chitterling (offal) sausage, grilled with Béarnaise sauce and French fries
- The famous Pig’s trotter, grilled with Béarnaise sauce and French fries
- Prime grilled Label Rouge Scottish salmon steak, with rice cooked with peppers
- Whole sea bass from the Frioul islands, grilled in fennel, flambéed in anise liqueur, served with sweet pepper peperonata with pink garlic
- The Oyster Sheller, three no. 3 Breton cupped oysters, three prawns, three small clams, three cockles, whelks
- Traditional onion soup
- Large “Tout Cochon” charcuterie board to share
- Mussels simmered in cream and bacon
- A dozen plump Label Rouge Burgundy snails in their shells
- Crêpes flambéed in Grand Marnier
- “Excellence de Tanzania” dark chocolate mousse
- Seasonal fruit tart
- Chocolate lava cake made with pure Mexican chocolate, with Rhône apricot sorbet
- Famous amber rum baba
Details:
6 RUE COQUILLIÈRE – 75001 PARISOPEN 24/7, ALL YEAR LONG Also be sure to see our extensive write-up on other Paris restaurants we love. (top Paris restaurants).
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
