14 bd. St-Germain
The Quartier Latin
Paris
Tel. 01-43-54-30-23
Cuisine: Bistro
Location: Quartier Latin
Metro: Maubert-Mutualité
Opening Hours: Dinner: Tues-Sat; Lunch: Tues-Fri; Closed Sun, Mon, Christmas Week, and Aug
Credit Cards: Visa, M.C.
Prices: Inexpensive-Moderate
Chez René is a classic bistro located at the foot of Boulevard St. Germain. They serve good, classic renditions of boeuf bourguignon, coq au vin, cuisse de grenouilles and other Burgundian standards that are becoming harder to find as more modern fare comes into favor. Although ownership has changed, the authentic bistro favorites have not, at least they were still in place on my last visit. Due to the fluctuating inconsistencies of the restaurant business, one who attempts to write about them and those that read their words, must keep in mind that nothing is cast in bronze and what was true a day ago might not be so now; and that is why I lean toward more of a comment-style than a review-style when reporting on restaurants. These dishes may not be exactly in vogue today, the contents on the plate are not stacked to form a tower and damn it, on occasion it is quite pleasing to have everything on the ground floor as after all, this is bistro cooking not haute cuisine.
The wine list is dominated by wines from the Mâconnais and Beaujolais regions, which as it happens is your best bet.