Le Comptoir du Relais Saint Germain Restaurant Review, Paris, France

Reviewer: Foodnut.com Le Comptoir du Relais Saint Germain 5, Carrefour de l'Odéon 75006, Paris, France, CA +33 (0)1 44 27 07 97 +33 (0)1 46 33 45 30 (Fax) Le Comptoir du Relais Saint Germain Website

Le Comptoir du Relais Saint Germain is a quaint Left Bank brasserie in the 6th that serves up classic French fare. It is connected to a 4 star hotel, The Relais Saint Germain and a couple blocks from the Jardin du Luxembourg. The owner, Yves Camdeborde, used to work at the famous Crillon restaurant. Lunch is bistro menu based, while dinner follows a more formal daily changing multi course prix fix menu. We had to wait about 20 minutes for a table during lunch. Dinner reservations must be made well in advance. This place is in many tourist guides like the Fodor’s and was on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations.

Decor, Vibe – Le Comptoir du Relais is a typical french bistro with sidewalk seating, cramped, and restrained decor. Huge mirror inside with today’s specials written on it. Hectic pace, lots of people watching, and crowded. The place was full of locals, and some tourists when we visited for lunch.

Menu Pictures (Click to zoom into any picture)

Full Menu Picture Set

Picks:

Melon au Jambon de ferme D’Eric Ospital (12€) – Prosciutto and Melon from Eric Ospital was a simple but refreshing dish for such a hot day. French cantalope melons have a better flavor than American ones.

Souris d’Agneau braise semoule (19) – Lamb shank braised with cous cous was a bigger dish with good strong flavors. The meat easily came off the bone. Nice cous cous with apricots, prunes, and raisens.

Pannacotta marmelade d’abricot (6) – Apricot Panna Cotta was very good. A very nice fruit flavor in combination with a silky smooth panna cotta underneath.

OK:

Salade de Burrata tomate et Figue (13) – Burrata salad of tomato and Fig had a very sour dressing which overshadowed the nice fresh figs and greens.

Pans:

Bouillon de Volaille menthe et carotte (12) – Chicken soup with carrots, mint was a simple soup with not much flavor.

Le Comptoir du Relais Saint Germain had average service with overworked waiters needing to be hailed. The food was very good but not as good as other bistros we visited, such as Josephine Chez Dumonet. All food was prepared by a small kitchen downstairs. This restaurant has lots of different wines on the menu. Prices are on the reasonable side, making this place popular. If you are nearby, give it a try, this is not a destination restaurant. Be sure to make reservations if you are going for dinner. No reservations taken during lunch. Metro : Odéon (lines 4, 12)

Restaurant Map: