Situated on the fringe of Copenhagen’s trendy Vesterbro district, Bistro De Paris is somewhat of a hidden treasure amongst the city’s bustling restaurant scene.
The city is home to an exotic mix of international cuisines, and whilst Copenhagen is no stranger to French cuisine, Bistro de Paris steps in like the humble underdog, taking its loyal customers by storm.
Authenticity is key
Tucked away at a location no bigger than the average city apartment, the classic Parisian-style bistro is a relative newcomer on the city’s restaurant scene. But don’t let its petite size deter you – Bistro de Paris offers authentic French food and wine at affordable prices, with a charming atmosphere to match.
We arrived to a welcoming scene. Quaint decorations and dim candlelight set the tone for the evening, transporting us right into the heart of Montmartre. I half expected a man with an accordion to step out onto the scene, serenading us in a beret and braces with a rose in his mouth.
Of course, this didn’t happen, but head chef David more than sufficed instead. David encapsulates all the redeeming qualities that I picture in a chef – he’s loud and charismatic, flamboyant and, above all, French.
Raised in the Champagne region, David has worked for three Michelin star restaurants (amongst others) in the past, and his passion and flair for food is more than evident in his striking gastronomical creations.
World-class wines
As with any good restaurant, the wine at Bistro de Paris is certainly not overlooked. The restaurant’s sommelier, Mathieu, is the mastermind behind the all-class menu. A self-proclaimed connoisseur, Mathieu is responsible for handpicking a selection of the best French red and white wines from areas such as Languedoc, Roussillon and Provence.
We tried a glass of the Domaine du Colombier Cotes du Rhone Rouge, a plush red that came highly recommended by our waiters for the evening. This was paired perfectly with our starters, for which my friend and I shared the equally delicious Foie Gras and salmon tartar.
Dreaming of duck
Our main meal for the evening was the stuff of dreams: a classically French confit de canard that I fell deeply, madly in love with at the first forkful. I can say with confidence that Bistro de Paris has mastered a dish that so often falls by the wayside, ending up as a greasy, fatty mess. The crisp textured skin combined with the aromatic flavours of the marinade and the creamy mash almost made me forget just how much duck fat I was actually ingesting.
But it was the desserts that impressed us the most. We were served a tasting plate with six delicious cakes, including a mango and passion fruit cake, lemon and meringue pie, black forest cake and, best of all, a rich chocolate mousse cake that made my stomach pang with guilt and self-indulgence. Nevertheless, it was delicious, so I decided to brush it under the table under the guise of a ‘cheat day’.
Slice of Paris
And whilst the food was an outright success, I was most impressed by the restaurant’s genuine ambiance. Everything about it feels authentic: from the food and wine to the atmosphere and the service.
We may be hundreds of miles away, but Bistro de Paris truly feels like a little slice of Paris in its new and impressionable Nordic setting.
Bistro De Paris
Vesterbrogade 19, Cph V;
open Mon-Sat 17:00-22:00 and from 08:00 for breakfast;
starters 89kr, mains 99-175kr, desserts 65kr, menu changes every week; 3333 8222, bookingbistroparis@gmail.com;
bistrodeparis.dk
