Le Garde Robe calls itself at “cave a manger”, making the point that it is first and foremost a “cave” or wine shop. And as a wine shop its offering of organic (or “bio”) and natural wines is impressive. However, there is a lot more Le Garde Robe than wine. During the course of the day, it is also a cafe, a wine bar and a petit restaurant, which is where the “manger” or “to eat” comes in. The kitchen is tiny and the menu very limited. But everything is impeccably sourced, from local farms or artisans, organic and well prepared. Charcuterie, cheeses, a few salads, a plate of crudites (or raw vegetables) served with basil pistou, and tartines make up the bulk of the menu. A few daily specials make up the rest. The day we were last there, these included a butternut squash soup, house smoked and air cured beef, and a cocotte of boudin noir with apples.
Quality ingredients, prepared without pretension, at a fair price. And at lunch, there is no corkage when you select a bottle from the wine shop.
Le Garde Robe (Two locations):
41, rue d’Arbre Sec, 75001 Paris 01 49 26 90 60
4 Rue Bridaine, 75017 Paris 01 44 90 05 04