665110 Fri Nov 06 01:09:50 -0800 2009 9 49 France 0 5160181 Yves Camdeborde (Mr. Bistronomy, formerly of la Régalade and now le Comptoir) has opened a new wine bar near Odeon. It is, in short, fantastic. To be clear: it's only a counter, serving inexpensive mouthfuls (tapas style) and a small selection of wine. But it's what every visitor seems to be searching for - a way to sample delicious things and be surrounded by fun locals without spending a fortune. Here are the rave reviews that have already come in: In English: Meg Zimbeck (that's me): http://megzimbeck.com/2009/11/was-there-life-before-the-counter/ The Paris Kitchen: http://www.thepariskitchen.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17:pig-out-at-le-comptoirs-hot-tapas-bar&catid=1:news&Itemid=4 Dorie Greenspan: http://www.doriegreenspan.com/2009/10/-its-not-that-i.html Serve it Forth: http://serveitforth.com/?p=680 In French: Figaroscope: http://www.lefigaro.fr/sortir-paris/2009/10/28/03013-20091028ARTFIG00016-l-avant-comptoir-.php My Little Paris: http://www.mylittleparis.com/lavant-comptoir.html?IdTis=XTC-DYUJ-VRVZD-DD-FJ6GP-D0PN Fri Nov 06 01:09:50 -0800 2009 1117463 megzimbeck 1 5161116 Meg, thanks for this tip. Do you know what hours they are open? (could not find via Google.) Fri Nov 06 10:04:22 -0800 2009 5160181 11773 shortstop 2 5161156 from 12pm (noon) to 11pm Fri Nov 06 10:16:44 -0800 2009 5161116 11828 Maximilien 3 5161189 Thanks Maximilien! Fri Nov 06 10:27:31 -0800 2009 5161156 11773 shortstop 4 5161509 Hi again - I'm looking at the business card and it says 9h à 1h du matin. Early morning to late at night - that's my kind of place! I'm guessing that the early morning is for crèpes, waffles and coffee. Half of the place is dedicated to these takeout goodies (sandwiches, too) and they even have a loyalty card (buy 10 value meals get one free) which I almost never see in Paris. Love this place. Fri Nov 06 12:10:30 -0800 2009 5161189 1117463 megzimbeck 1 5161167 Looks nice, and since it's really a "comptoir" it's perfect to drop in have a quick drink and a bite. Thanks. Fri Nov 06 10:22:00 -0800 2009 5160181 11828 Maximilien 1 5161265 Meg, it is good to see Yves has opened another great place. I, for one had never gone off Le Comptoir du Relais, although many others seemed to have moved on. I have read Yves is dropping its dual format approach at Le Comptoir (hard to get dinner reservation Mon to Fri, and no reservation brasserie at other times) to become a no reservation brasserie every evening. One idea behind L'Avant Comptoir was that it would be a waiting area for Le Comptoir. It will be interesting to see if this works; looking at your review it seems like the offspring could outshine the parent. Fri Nov 06 10:53:38 -0800 2009 5160181 64584 PhilD 1 5177233 I'm a bit confused...I've had this place address bookmarked not as a wine bar but as a creperie, hoping to have a sandwich or two later: http://www.lefigaro.fr/assets/pdf/classement_jambon.pdf Well, as long as they are still selling sandwiches... Thu Nov 12 17:08:33 -0800 2009 5160181 226923 kikisakura 2 5177375 It was a creperie (and not a very busy one). Yves decided to to turn it into a bar a few months ago, and it has just opened in its latest incarnation. Thu Nov 12 18:01:49 -0800 2009 5177233 64584 PhilD 3 5177887 Not a very busy one... or a very good one it was. Thu Nov 12 23:01:28 -0800 2009 5177375 96547 souphie