verrePhoto: linternaute.com

What is it about France that makes me feel like it’s OK to drink an entire bottle of wine at midday? I guess it’s the fact that there are so many places that make it easy—almost impossible not—to do just that.

My hands-down favorite spot in Paris for a boozy Sunday lunch is Le Verre Volé, the quintessential Parisian wine bar and living proof that simplicity is the secret to happiness—and deliciousness. There’s nothing better than a leisurely lunch of shared small plates and an interesting bottle of wine, followed by a drunken amble along the Canal St. Martin (I have yet to fall in!), most likely followed by a nap. Afternoons like this make me wonder, “Does life get any better than this?” and I always come to the same conclusion: nope.

people-1Photo: Flickr

Le Verre Volé is no secret, but its sheltered location (just off the canal in the 10th) ensures that it’s far enough from the tourist trail to avoid being overrun. In addition, the chalkboard menu is in French—though the servers are affable and happy to interpret for English-speaking clients. The Verre Volé is part of a recent culinary trend in Paris: the wine shop – restaurant hybrid. The walls of the tiny space (it seats only about 18 people at a time) are adorned with diverse bottles from the far-flung corners of France. You can buy one to take home, or you can buy one to go with lunch or dinner (in which case, you pay a 7€ corkage fee). You can also get wines by the glass.

The wines are carefully selected from France’s major regions and from small producers in villages you’ve probably never heard of. The variety and creativity that has gone into the selection is refreshing, but even more refreshing are the prices. Bottles start at around 6€ and increase from there. Servers are happy to guide you towards great value. A friend and I once splurged on a 25€ bottle of St. Joseph and spent the rest of the day in a state of syrah-induced rapture.

bottlePhoto: Panoramio.com

But there’s more to this place than good wine. The food is seasonal, simple, creative, and just what I want every time I go. You can choose from a variety of small plates (between 5-8€) or main dishes (between 12-14€) and sharing is encouraged. How liberating to break free of the traditional 3-course meal structure!

I usually end up ordering the “petit creux” of hand-selected cheeses from various regions of France. Over the course of a few visits, other highlights have been an heirloom tomato salad, baby clams in a lemon vinaigrette, a subtle but balanced salmon tartare, a silky veal carpaccio, and a perfectly cooked jambonneau (I didn’t find out until later that jambonneau means pig knuckle…). After indulging in such creative fare, you’ll be shocked to know that the kitchen consists of a refrigerator and a hot plate. There is literally no actual “cooking,” just a skilled use of fresh, seasonal products and the creative combination of flavors and textures on the plate.

And finally, Le Verre Volé is terminally hip without being over-hip. It’s casual and friendly, but when you’re here, you know you’re in the right place at the right moment. This is one spot that manages to strike a perfect balance between creative cuisine, exceptional wines, hip but cozy atmosphere, and more-than-reasonable prices. I can’t wait to go back… is it noon yet?

Le Verre Volé
67, rue de Lancry, 75010
+33 (0)1.48.03.17.34
Métro: Jacques Bonsergent

To check out what food blogger David Lebovitz has to say about Le Verre Volé, click here.

Edited by Tory Hoen for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

WRITTEN BY

Tory Hoen

Tory Henwood Hoen has been published by New York Magazine, Vogue, Condé Nast Traveler, Bon Appétit, Fortune, and others. She was Creative Director of Brand at M.M.LaFleur, where she founded the brand’s digital magazine, The M Dash. Her debut novel, The Arc, is available in bookshops near you and online.

18 Comments

  1. Thanks so much for the tip! We had a boozy lunch with amazing fish, a delicious Macon for a boozy afternoon! Love it! 🙂

  2. I loved this entry, and I cannot wait to try this restaurant! I’m going on Saturday night as part of a belated birthday celebration. Thanks for the menu tips!

  3. Great post Tory! Le Verre Vole is a terrific wine bar in a quarter that is so worth exploring, particularly on Sundays when the Canal St. Martin area is car-free. I love the wine selection at Le Verre Vole, they pick some very interesting small-scale producers to accompany that good food on offer.

  4. Hi I just came over from Megan’s blog Bella vita in Liguria…where she has done a post about you 🙂

    I love Paris and have a few friends that live there, and I have just spent nearly three weeks there, looking after my friends cats for her. It was amazing as it was my first trip on my own, ever, I did have the comfort of having all my other friends around in Paris, and with the phone ringing and it was for me, made me feel like I lived there. I was staying near Invalides, and Rue Cler, which was fantastic. I walked and walked, met up each day with everyone and went to different areas, some that they had not been to either. I did go to Canal St martin, it was amazing, I know that we walked and walked for miles and the weather was brilliant.

    Your apartments look so great , hope to get back over soon, so will be on the look out for places to stay.

    1. Thank you for the wonderful compliments! We hope to have you stay with us at Haven in Paris in the future. Yes, Paris is a wonderful city to walk and walk and walk!! A bientot – Erica

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