Visit Bistrot des Amis, the tone is set right from the moment you’re welcomed: here, The meat is cooked over an open fire and the wine is poured by hand. This traditional French bistro The restaurant in the centre of Fontainebleau serves up hearty, no-frills cuisine, which prides itself on organic and locally sourced produce and a cellar dedicated to fine wines. The sort of place you come to just as easily for a proper weekday lunch as for a leisurely dinner with friends.
Chunky cuts from the butcher with real character
At the heart of the map are the butcher's cuts, and they certainly don’t do things by halves. You’ll come across a Troyes andouillette AAAAA with whole-grain mustard, some veal kidneys in red wine, a lamb shoulder confita duck breast from the South-West with thyme juice and a an entrecôte weighing over 300 grams with its béarnaise sauce. For two, the rib of beef is best enjoyed with homemade chips, and the tartare cut with a knife It can be ordered freshly prepared or pan-fried.
Starters just like in the good old days
To start the meal, the menu ticks all the boxes: Burgundy snails with parsley and garlic, country-style terrine and its pickles, foie gras gingerbread and fig jam. A special mention for the’egg from the Galaches farm, in Seine-et-Marne, served with homemade mayonnaise: a classic dish that perfectly illustrates the restaurant’s commitment to local producers. The charcuterie and cheese platters, served with gherkins and farmhouse semi-salted butter, are perfect for an aperitif with friends.
Fish, vegetarian dishes and small portions
Everyone finds their place at the table. The back from a fishing trip, broadcast live from the fish market, offers a fish and chips made with fresh saithe and one salmon seared on the plancha served with homemade ratatouille. Vegetarians have their dedicated plate, the mixed salads make for a lighter lunch, and a children's menu means you can bring the whole family along without a second thought.
What’s the occasion?
It’s the perfect table for to introduce people to French-style bistro cuisine to friends who were just passing through, after a visit to the château de Fontainebleau or a day out in the Forest of Fontainebleau. The venue says so itself: seats sell out quickly at peak times, and Booking is still the best idea, especially for groups. And as the menu changes with the seasons and as new stock arrives, regulars always have a good reason to come back.
