Café Constant

Description:

• This is the least expensive of the trio of nearly adjacent restaurants established along the rue St-Dominique by megachef Christian Constant, whose mainstream, ultraluxe restaurant (Le Violin d'Ingres) is also recommended. Café Constant prides itself on fast service, fast turnover, and well-prepared but not particularly complicated cuisine that's a 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. 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 long.

• © Frommer's 2013

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Recommended 2010