Frenchie

Frenchie is the restaurant of chef Grégory Marchand, who earned the nickname while working in kitchens in London and New York before returning to Paris and opening on Rue du Nil in 2009. The small dining room, with exposed stone, brick and an open view of the kitchen, sits on a short pedestrian street in the Sentier district.

The restaurant serves dinner only, with a five-course carte blanche tasting menu that changes with the seasons. The cooking is French at heart but shows the influence of Marchand's years abroad, with bright flavours, careful sourcing and occasional international touches. Many of the ingredients come from the specialist producers and grocers who supply the restaurant, some of them based on the same street. Wine pairings and a non-alcoholic pairing are available, and the wine list has a strong selection of French natural and small-producer wines.

Frenchie suits food lovers, couples and small groups looking for a polished but friendly dinner, and it is often booked for special occasions. The room is intimate, so it is less suited to large groups. Mention dietary requirements when booking, since the kitchen prepares a set menu each evening.

Bookings are taken online, and tables are released in advance and fill quickly, so plan ahead if you have a particular date in mind. Allow around two and a half hours for dinner. The room is small and the kitchen works to a set rhythm, so arriving on time for your booking helps the evening run smoothly. Smart casual dress is fine. If you cannot get a table, or want something more casual, Frenchie Bar à Vins is across the street at 6 Rue du Nil, serving small plates and wine in a more relaxed setting.

Sentier station on metro line 3 is about three minutes' walk away, and Réaumur–Sébastopol and Bonne Nouvelle are also nearby. Rue du Nil is just off Rue Montorgueil, a pedestrian market street with bakeries, cheese shops and cafés, including the historic pâtisserie Stohrer. The covered passages of the 2nd arrondissement, such as the Galerie Vivienne and the Passage des Panoramas, are within a short walk, making the area worth exploring before dinner.