Le Bistrot Cent16 – Paris (75013) en

A bistro that I would never have spotted if one had not told me. It is only open for lunch which is a good sign, I went there a Thursday, it’s couscous day, I was amazed by the quality of the dish. I do not comment on the other specials of the week cause I do not know them.

How I found out?

I had an appointment in the neighborhood, I was ahead and I wanted a nice terrace, sunny, but there is not that much, especially at lunchtime where seats on the terrace are reserved for those who eat. I walked and fell on the Daviel coffee that has one of the most beautiful terraces in Paris. True macadam poetry.

While I was drinking my coffee, I heard my neighbors talking, they were criticizing the Trocadero Aquarium which is actually overpriced and I felt they were some true connoisseurs of Paname (slang word for Paris), as they can be typically found in the 13 . Then one said to the other: “hey it’s time to go eat couscous?”, I took up the ball and I asked them if they had a restaurant to advise the neighborhood.

“Well there’s the Cent16 which is now owned by Algerian and they make a couscous every Thursday which is great.” Perfect!

So here I am.

As it was sunny that day, the person who accompanied me would have liked a terrace but there is not here, however there was so much sun that came inside the result was the same. Seats are comfortable.

There was a rather nice waitress, she apologized for having spilled water on the chair although there have been only two drops on my wallet.

However she had a bad relation with the chef, at one moment they had a quick verbal fight then it was kind of over. But it was not dramatic, I mean the atmosphere in the restaurant was good otherwise.

I think they were serious from a professional point of view, it was clean dishes arrived on time and so on.

I came for the couscous, so I have not asked what were the specials of the rest of the week.

What I liked is that they chose to put less meat but good quality, no industrial chicken : the kofta, merguez (not fat) were very good and a special mention to skewer beef .

The semolina was fine, not dry.

The vegetable broth had a beautiful ocher colour

The result is an excellent couscous

One coffee and the bill and we’re good.

Very good tip for thursday lunch, especially in that area where I don’t know so many good restaurants.

Now we should check what’s served the other days of the week.