Anyone Been to Le Hangar?

[wittlejosh]

In the 3rd, in Paris.

[motdeer]

Yes. I just returned a couple of weeks ago from Paris. My hotel was only a couple of blocks away and they recommended Le Hangar as a good local choice for dinner. This is a small family owned and run establishment serving basic but well prepared French country food at very reasonable prices. We enjoyed the first visit so much that we returned for our last night.

[Parigi]

Hush ! indeed simple nice eats. And did you go into the lovely park? Again, hush !

[motdeer]

Hush?

[Parigi]

Don't let's tell others !

[Busk]

"This is a small family owned and run establishment serving basic but well prepared French country food at very reasonable prices."

Everybody likes that.

The name always turned me off. Is it named after the steak? Is it some kind of aviation theme sports pub with pictures of Saint-Exupery or Rolland Garros standing next to biplanes and propellers on the walls?

I guess it's not...

[Ptipois]

Hangar also means warehouse. It's not just for planes.
Onglet is not called hangar steak in French.

[PhilD]

Which I assume relates back to the original businesses in the area when there was a big produce market there.

[Ptipois]

Possibly. What puzzles me is that such a reputedly (I've never been there) small place bears such a lofty name.

[PhilD]

Same here, I guess location, close to lots of hotels and not a lot of competition.

[Parigi]

It is very well hidden, giggle, location-wise quite like the rose garden that Pti couldn't find. You really have to look for Le Hangar to find it. It is not something a tourist or local "chances upon".

[PhilD]

However isn't in lots of guides...?

[Parigi]

Better ask others. Being a local I don' read guides on Paris.

[aimeezing1]

I was there again in November 2010 for two meals - it is certainly a good choice in the neighborhood - food fresh, nice vibe, not too much english spoken by the clientele and very reasonably priced. Can still recommend it.

[Chase Langford]

We went there twice back in 2004 and was astounded by the superb food. it was the best food we had in Paris. Maybe we are just naive -- sounds like there are many more with this quality but we didn't find them. The ambience was lacking but the food....wow!
We'll try it again this July...can't wait.

[scratchal]

We went in September 2008. The place was very busy Saturday night but the very nice lady ensured we were seated within 10 minutes.
The Steak was superb and the Duck liver excellent. Very reasonably priced.

[plafield]

One of our favorites if you're in the area. Really good food at a reasonable price. Not worth traveling across the city for (there are many comparably good places in Paris) but I think one of the best values (quality/price ratio) in the area.

[biondanonima]

We went last night and had a delicious meal - bottle of house red, polenta with cheese, cream of lentils with foie gras, beef stroganoff and duck confit in a sort of mock Shepard's Pie. All terrific. We also had two desserts - saffron creme brulee and grand marnier souffle, both of which were okay but I've definitely had better. The bill was only 70 Eu, which I thought very reasonable for what we got. We were the only Americans in the place, and it looked as though most of the other customers were regulars.

[VivreManger]

It is around the corner from the friend with whom I regularly stay when I am in Paris. Since it is her neighborhood hang-out, I have been there quite often. I have to admit that I never get too excited about it. Perhaps because I have not found it as decadently heavy and rich as wittlejosh does. For an easy neighborhood nosh it is certainly worth a visit - - and since this is a neighborhood with a good deal of tourist traffic, being right next to the Beauborg - - it will get some attention, but it is not worth a detour. Given the options in the immediate vicinity, unless one wants to go whole hog and cheesy mashed potato at Ambassade d'Auvergne, this is a reasonable choice. Otherwise the 'hood is filled with street food for tourists.

However if you really want to do something exceptional head to Pain de Sucre on 14 Rambuteau and stuff yourself silly on elaborate beautiful to behold pastries and incredible caramels from Jacque Genin. Now that is a "meal" one cannot find even in New York.

[David W]

I'd like to second that Pain de Sucre recommendation...I keep a picture of the window display on my desk to help me make it through the day, and to remind me why my pants seem too tight.

[wittlejosh]

I've been there twice now (once in October, once last week). Excellent, honest cooking, with fresh ingredients that go well together.

THE BEST
• The salmon tartare was a million times better than the hackneyed versions offered most places: creamy, fatty chunks of fish with a healthy (or not so healthy?) dose of good olive oil and some fresh basil for an interesting kick, plus lemon.

• House-marinated artichoke hearts with mixed greens.

• Haricots verts salad with a simple (but masterful) vinaigrette

• Ravioli with an eggplant cream sauce, which was rich, decadent, and tasted much more interesting and complex than it sounds.

• Continuing down the decadence trail: Sautéed foie gras escalopes served atop olive oil mashed potatoes, drizzled with foie fat. Holy smokes---this is the way this stuff should be served! Forget the jams and sweet preparations!

I tried the chocolate soufflé that you had to order 30 minutes early, and I found it too eggy and unremarkable. But maybe it was just an off night.

Another note: The second bottle of Pouilly Fumé was slightly corked, and they replaced the bottle without so much as a grimace----something I'd expect in a huge corporate restaurant but was happy to see even in this small neighborhood bistro.

I will try to post pictures of the salmon and the foie gras.

[jsand]

Went there several times a few years ago and it was wonderful, smallish and quiet. Their dessert was an innovation at the time, a moelleux au chocolat, which you needed to order when you ordered the meal. It was well worth it.

[debkurt]

I haven't been but I plan on going next week. The place we've rented is just around the corner, and I've heard good in TimeOut and someplace else, too. It sounds too convenient for me to pass. I'll report.

[aimeezing1]

We ate there last night and found the food to be good and fresh, and the crowd French! Moderate prices-would certainly recommend.