Le Basilic

Gigot d’agneau, or leg of lamb

Le Basilic
2, rue Casimir Périer, in the 7th Arrondissement.
01 44 18 94 64. Open nightly for dinner; lunch, Mon–Fri only.
A friend invited me to dinner in the 7th Arrondissement last week. It wasn’t a restaurant I knew, so I did a quick scan on the Internet for some information, and there wasn’t much to be found. So it was with some trepidation that I joined her at the Paris bistro Le Basilic. I’m tempted to keep it off the radar, but it was such a delight that I must share.
Le Basilic may hold onto some of its mystery by being tucked away on a small, quiet street behind the beautiful Church of Ste. Clotilde, not far from Les Invalides. The have a good-size terrace for enjoying the serene atmosphere, and the dining room is also a nice, bright space with a mix of 1930s and Basque influences. Art deco light fixtures with warm cherry-wood bases illuminate the cheery mirrored room while Spanish bullfighting pictures line the walls.
We started with the ravioli, which were tender bites of the freshest pasta wrapped around aged Comté, finished in a light cream sauce with basil and herbs. It was sweet, salty and divine.

The menu calls their burrata famous, so we were game to try. It was indeed lush, with the proper soft consistency and slight give. It was served with the traditional accoutrements of cherry tomatoes, fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. The chewy bread was a must—we needed it to scoop up every last bit of this perfect springtime dish.
My friend ordered tripnedos and received a round, tender medallion of beef with her choice of sauces. She went with the béarnaise, and this was a wise decision, both for the steak and the thick-cut frites that accompanied it.
The little information I did find on Le Basilic talked about their famed gigot d’agneau, or leg of lamb, so I was excited to try it. The meat was well cooked (with a little pink showing) and surrounded by a light, slightly sweet tomato sauce, which spilled over from the side dish of meaty beans from Tarbes. The scattering of fleur de sel from Guérande brought all the flavors to the forefront, and long-roasted heads of garlic added a little additional sweetness. It was a very well-made dish.
The pinot noir from Burgundy played well with the meat and sauces, and was a good value at 26 euros.
In a nutshell: Le Basilic is a cheery neighborhood bistro serving classics on a quiet street in the 7th.
Price check: Plan on approximately 30–45 euros per person for dinner.
If Le Basilic sounds good, you’ll also like Philou. Read the review.
Philou
12, ave Richerand, in the 10th.
Tues–Sat, lunch and dinner. 01 42 38 00 13.
Related Links
Le Basilic
Church of Ste. Clotilde
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