The Coupe-Chou Restaurant
by Rob Swigart

The Coupe-Chou is what might be called a ‘modified’ traditional  French restaurant, in that it caters to a largely foreign but not  exclusively American clientele. I’ve been going there regularly for  over ten years now and have never been disappointed in either the  food or the atmosphere. The prices have changed very little in that  time.

In English the name means ‘cabbage-cutter,’ a kind of razor. Legend  has it that during the thirteenth century a barber nearby used to  slit the throats of his clients and hand their bodies over to the  butcher across the street to be made into paté (not included on the  menu).

The restaurant, founded by three actors in 1963, takes up several  rooms in the pointed end of a triangular building at the end of the  block-long Rue de Lanneau, a block east of the Sorbonne not far from  the Rue des Écoles.

The entrance is framed in lush green vines, a great background for outdoor dining, unless you prefer to be inside which, after February 2007, will be completely smoke-free (as, in theory, will be all the restaurants in France). It’s interesting that over the years I have always requested non-smoking and been told there was no such thing at  the Coupe-Chou, yet the last time I was there in the summer of 2006  there was a no-smoking sign on the mantel. In fact there were never  many smokers.

What makes this place stand out, besides the food, is the charming seventeenth century interior. The rooms are cozy and comfortable, on several odd levels, many with fireplaces. Floors are stone or tile,  the ceilings are low and heavily beamed, bathrooms are in the  basement and there is a winter garden.

Cold and hot entrées range from a salad with tomatoes, lardons, croûtons and poached egg (11 €) to foie gras (18 €) and of course  include escargots (six for 12 € and quite good, too). Main dishes  include standards like Bœuf Bourguignon, Steak Tartare, duck confit,  salmon, and rack of lamb, and range from 18 to 23 €. I’ve found the  house wines quite good and reasonably priced, but there is an ample  cellar for oenophiles. Desserts are delicious, including perennial favorites like Île Flottante. Fixed menus are 22 and 32 €. All  prices include service and tax.

You can reserve on line at their informative web site as well  (available in English and French):

www.lecoupechou.com.
Restaurant Le Coupe-Chou
9 & 11 rue de Lanneau
75005 Paris
France
01 46 33 68 69

This article is republished with the authorization of Paris Eiffel Tower News - a great guide for a Paris vacation.