Café Constant (Paris)

Cuisine FRENCH
Hours Tues-Sat noon-2:30pm and 7-10:30pm
Address 139 rue St-Dominique, 7e
Location 7th Arrondissement (Eiffel Tower/Musée D'orsay)
Transportation Métro: Invalides
Reservations Reservations accepted only for groups of five or more diners
Phone 01-47-53-75-34
Prices Main courses 12€ ($16) each
Credit Cards DC, MC, V

Frommer's Review

This is the least expensive of the trio of nearly adjacent restaurants established along the rue St-Dominique by mega-chef Christian Constant, whose mainstream, ultra-luxe restaurant (Le Violin d'Ingres) is also recommended. It prides itself on fast service, fast turnover, and well-prepared but not particularly complicated cuisine that's good value within this posh and expensive neighborhood. Within two separate dining rooms, one on the ground floor and a smaller one upstairs, you can order starters, each priced at 8€ ($10); main courses, each priced at 12€ ($16); and desserts, each priced at 7€ ($9.10). Examples include a terrine de kako, made with pork and foie gras and served with lentils and vinaigrette sauce; a tartare of oysters and salmon, flavored with ginger; veal scallops "Cordon Bleu," which are layered with ham and cheese, breaded, and fried; and quenelles of whitefish. Desserts are simple, including chocolate tart and rice pudding. Since reservations aren't accepted except for large groups, most potential diners are asked to wait at the wood-topped bar for a table to become available. Waits are usually not very long.