Benoit
Paris, France; 20 rue Saint-Martin, Paris, 75004, France
Benoit offers a concentrated version of the traditional Paris bistro. Established in 1912, the rue Saint-Martin restaurant retains a richly detailed interior of wood, mirrors, copper and upholstered seating. The atmosphere is central to the appeal, giving the meal a sense of continuity with the city’s long history of dining out. The menu remains committed to classical French cooking. Pâté en croûte, calf’s head with ravigote and cassoulet are among the preparations associated with the restaurant’s current identity, while a millefeuille provides an appropriately traditional conclusion. These are dishes that reward technique and judgement within an established form, rather than depending on novelty. Now part of Maison Ducasse, Benoit is included in the current Michelin Guide. Its role in this selection is to represent a style of restaurant whose cultural value is inseparable from the food: a distinctive room, a recognisable repertoire and the pleasure of being looked after through a substantial meal. It ranks eighth because an informed visitor should have the opportunity to experience that tradition alongside the city’s more experimental kitchens. Come with an appetite for sauces, pastry and the detail of classical French dining.