Offering traditional French cuisine in the heart of Paris for over a century, Bouillon Chartier is a popular restaurant recommended by a lot of YouTubers and bloggers. Famed for its budget-friendly menus and authentic flavors, the venue was originally a beloved lunch spot for blue-collar workers, but now it’s frequented by tourists around the world. My friend visited this place two years ago and gave a good review on their duck confit, which I couldn’t wait to try when we were heading to Rue du Faubourg-Montmartre in the 9th arrondissement. However, the experience was a bit disappointing.

It’s usual to see a queue outside the restaurant, but when we arrived at noon, the Art Nouveau-style dining space was quiet. Though only a few tables were occupied, we were rejected to switch to other seats that look more comfortable.

The prices on the menu were reasonable with seemingly a lot of choices, except the signature dish I was craving – duck confit. Not being able to believe my eyes, I reread the menu from top to bottom several times and even reconfirmed with the waiter. (I later found out in another restaurant that there is a shortage of ducks due to the H5N1 strain of bird flu in France.)

It’s a shame that duck wasn’t available, but what made me down in the mouth was the white wine, which was served at room temperature. It is unacceptable!

The food was not bad. For starters, we had two dozen snails with rich garlic butter sauce. And for main courses, we shared oven-baked bream with boiled potatoes and roasted free-range chicken with French fries. Though the plating was minimal, the fish was soft and smooth, while the chicken was tender with a mild dressing. However, the fries were obviously cooked and put aside for longer than they should be.

With affordable prices and a convenient location, I could understand why Bouillon Chartier is packed with guests. But if you’re looking for a dish to remember, I believe there’re many other options in Paris, the food paradise.

Here’s a video of my day in Paris!