Le Casse Noix 56, rue de la Fédération, Paris 15, Paris 01-45-66-09-01

Le Casse Noix, a new bistro located in Paris 15th arrondissement not far from the Eiffel Tower, was a great discovery on my most recent trip to the City of Light. Chef Pierre-Olivier Lenormand, who has cooked at the celebrated La Régalade in the 14th and also at such temples of gastronomy as Jamin and the Crillon Hotel, turns out excellent seasonal creations, all at a very reasonable prix fixe.

The cabillaud et pommes de terre parfumé au piment d’Espelette (the recipe for this roasted cod on a potato gratin appears in my Market to Table section on my website this month) was delicious as was a winter pot au feu (slow cooked beef and vegetables). Sweet conclusions included a delectable fresh pineapple and mango crumble topped with scoops of fromage blanc sorbet and a traditional but very lovely île flottante made with mounds of meringue floating in custard sauce, all showered with toasted almonds.

The ambience is warm and cozy, and the staff helpful and polite. I went twice in January, and can’t wait to return on my next visit.