With white or country bread, garnished with Emmental, Gruyere or even Gouda, with butter or béchamel, the croque-monsieur or croque-madame (with a fried egg) is the favorite hot sandwich of the French. In the Marais and in Paris-Centre, Marais Mood went in search of this basic dish emblematic of Parisian bistros.
King of Spades Croque-Monsieur
This neighborhood bistro at the corner of Rue du Temple and Rue Pastourelle, with its excellent location and its cheerful team led by Valentin Besse, is a pleasant and lively establishment which is first distinguished by its fifties decor – royal blue walls and panels. in lemon yellow plexiglass.
As well as the small dishes which ensure with bistro dishes which reassure but not only that. Note the creative menu that is regularly renewed with surprises like a poke bowl, cheeseburger, salmon fillet, prawn risotto, haddock parmentier, fried frankfurters, carpaccio.
Here, Jean-Pierre, the chef, serves his croque-monsieur with homemade fries and salad. The bread arrives from the excellent bakery Tout environ du pain, rue de Turenne (3e) and ham, from the Chassineau workshop. The crumb, subtly spread with liquid cream which adds softness, is sprinkled with grated Emmental which perfects a standard version of the croque-monsieur. The merchants who come as neighbors and the tourists all come to this neighborhood bistro and enjoy it. Total: €7.
King of spades
126, rue du Temple, 75003 Paris
Monday to Friday from 6h30 to 2h
Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm
Sunday from 10h to 20h
Phone: 01 42 72 13 59
Restaurant In the heart of the Marais
Opposite the National Archives, this bar exudes the Parisian spirit. The waiters and Bastien, the boss, are attentive to the customers whom they always welcome with a kind word. All the Parisian bistro classics are there: omelettes, burgers, salads, quiches, and of course croque-monsieur.
Here, the “croque” is extremely simple and good, made from Poilâne bread, covered with béchamel, ham and just the right amount of Emmental cheese. Accompanied by fries or salad. If you want both, you must add €2,50 to the total which, otherwise, is €12.
In the heart of the Marais
56, rue des Archives, 75004 Paris
Every day from 9h to 17h
Phone: 01 48 87 94 68
Croque madame de Carre sandwich bread
Be careful, luxury product! Cut from sandwich bread with gargantuan dimensions (13x16cm) and unusual thickness (1,5cm), this croque-monsieur is intended for those who love the best and who have the means to afford it. In this temple of the sandwich, the flagship product – sandwich bread, therefore – toasted or not, is made on site by the house's master baker.
Alongside the Tonkatsu (toasted bread, breaded free-range pork, sliced cabbage €18), the Ebikatsu (toasted bread, fried shrimp, tartar sauce €19) or the BLT (toasted bread, bacon, lettuce, tomato €12), the croque-monsieur plays the star. It meets three qualities appreciated by Japanese gourmets: “motchi motchi” which is soft, “shittori” which is tender and finally “sakkuri” which provides crispness – on the outside. These qualities combined with French products (Prince de Paris ham, fifteen-month Comté, and parsimonious béchamel cream topping) do the job. Total: €18.
5, rue des Rambuteau, 75004 Paris
Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 19 p.m.
Phone: 01 44 54 92 73
PYRENEES WINES
Croque monsieur from Vins des Pyrénées
There is little doubt that Jim Morrison, who lived next door, frequented this century-old café-restaurant with its weathered charm. With the arrival in 2019 of Florian Cadiou, a wind of change – the tramontane, of course – blew through this address.
The “homemade croque”? Golden on the edge, it crisps and excites. Decorated with sourced products, such as Prince ham (the only authentic Paris ham), its secret and originality lie in its truffle farm gouda, dripping just the right amount. The artisanal sandwich bread comes from the Délices de Parmentier bakery (11e arr.). Served with a fresh and crunchy salad but unfortunately too small. Total: €17.
Pyrenean wines
25, rue Beautreillis, 75004 Paris
Tuesday to Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Phone: 01 42 72 64 94
MAISON PLISSON
Croque monsieur from Maison Plisson
On Boulevard Beaumarchais, the Maison Plisson restaurant usually offers healthy meals. But the appeal of the croque-monsieur was too strong: the “croque”, accompanied by a joyful hodgepodge of young salad leaves, arugula, red chicory, has become a classic on the menu.
Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, classic in style, it would deceive anyone. Here too, Prince de Paris ham is included. The cheese is a young Comté AOP. Result ? It's good, flowing, hot. Total: €15.
Plisson House
93, bd Beaumarchais, 75003 Paris
Monday to Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 21 p.m.
Sunday from 8:30 p.m. to 20 p.m.
1 71 18 19 09
Text: Katia Barillot
29.10.21
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