Chez Janou

Chez Janou is so picture-perfect as the quintessential Parisian bistro that you suspect it was made just for show. Sure, with its location near Place des Vosges in haut Marais, tourists abound, but look around and you will see that locals love it too. The adorable teal striped awning and matching chairs flank three sides of a pretty building, giving way to a postcard-shot of an interior striped in warm shades of mustard and brown. Vintage posters line the walls. The food is excellent: comfort Provençal bistro favorites, traditional, rich-with-flavor dishes such as ratatouille, mussels, rabbit, and cod with vegetables, capped with a not-to-be-missed €9 saucepan of decadent chocolate mousse. Be sure to try one – or more – of the 80 varieties of pastis (anise-flavored spirit from Marseilles). The service matches the cuisine, warm and generous, like family. Prices are surprisingly comforting, given the restaurant’s popularity and location.