a simple but good place near Bastille

[Radiothomas]

From a colleague who wants to take a friend to dinner around the Bastille... 11e or 12e arrondissement, but perhaps somewhat close to the place.

"Where should I take my dear friend xx to supper--some ethnic joint or bistro that doesn't have *** or ** or * but is good to chat in on a monday or tuesday evening? She lives in arrondissement xii near Place de la Bastille."

I rarely ate around there, so I don't know many places... ideas?

[Fuffy]

Am I the only person that has been terribly disappointed in Biche au Bois? We went in late September so there was no game. We had a pate and a terrine to start with - both dreary, different forgettable meats as main courses with OK French fries. We had read so much praise on Chowhound.
We quite like Bistrot du Dome and Bofinger (a little less except for decor)which are v close to Bastille but a little more expensive. Perhaps about the same quality is a cheap and cheerful place called something like Vins aux Pyranees - in rue Beautreillis ten minutes walk exactly along Rue St Antoine. I'd say those three are OK, variable, but not great.
I believe that Au C'Amelot is closed at the moment.
I haven't tried them, except for Villaret, which must be about 25 minutes from Bastille, but I believe (from what I've read) that the recommendations from PBSF, above, must be reliable.

[vcdarty]

It's Aux Vins des Pyrenees, and it's indeed cheerful, not to say raucous. Food's OK, just, and service last time tended toward the negligent. Won't go back. But the Bistro du Dome nearby is a winner. We had a decent, good value dinner Au C'Amelot (some of the best venison ever), though in the evening it's positively dreary.

[George]

Biche au Bois is definitely a favorite. (Game in season, venison and wild boar)
Repaire de cartouche, fantastic bistro walking distance, more or less, north of the place de la Bastille
Astier: you won't want to walk it, but really, really good. I'll be there next Friday!
Cafe de l'industrie i usually would only eat in for lunch, but the food is not entirely bad.
Bistro du Peintre is a personal favorite, near the rue Keller.
It's a cafe, with some great food, with a changing menu, in an art nouveau space--it's just really good (but not at level of a true bistro).

[auberginegal]

i know you mentioned bistros, but thought i'd throw this in just in case:

Cafe de l'industrie (16-17 rue St-Sabin, 11e)
--love the atmosphere. i know people that live in the area who like to go there for a bite and to chat. i've personally not eaten there, but have gone for coffee or drinks.

have also heard great things about "A la biche au bois"

[potterstreet]

A personal favorite -

A la Biche Au Bois - 45 Ave Ledru Rollin, comfortable, homey, welcoming and delicious food. i got tipped off to this place on chowhound a few years ago. it's great.

[sfdoc]

Had lunch there on our last trip 4 years ago and loved it. We were too full for dinner that night, but it is the real thing. Plan to go agin on our trip this month. Not cheap, but not expensive and good value.

[rjkaneda]

Try le Bistrot du Dôme
2, rue de la Bastille
75004 PARIS

It's an off-shoot of the Dôme in Montparnasse. Fish-only menu in a cheery setting. It's on the same block as Bofinger, very near the Bastille. Prices are reasonable.

There's another Bistrot du Dôme, at 1, rue Delambre, 75014 Paris, in Montparnasse, just across the street from the main Dôme.

[PBSF]

The Marais has many great cafes and informal places but not too many excellent bistros.
Le Dome du Marais
53 b. Francs-Bourgois 4e beautiful dining room with good food but not as good as those below.
The following are near the Marais, all have very good food at moderate prices. Some are closed on Mondays.
Le Repaire de Cartouche
8 Blvd Filles du Calvaire 11e
Le Villaret
19 r Tenaux 11e
Astier
44 r Jean-Pierre Timbaud 11e
Au C'Amelot
50 r Amelot 11e, set menu with only a choice among two main plat
Au Bascou
38 r. Reamur 3e