L’Avant Comptoir de la Terre

30 rue Gay-Lussac, 75005 Paris 

Probably our favorite “bar” in the world, if you can even call it that. It’s a pre (or post) dinner stand-up spot, where the menu hangs above you like little placards of appetizing dreams. They serve oysters with tiny sausages, they have perfect bread and a communal mountain of butter that hovers around the place like one of the regulars. Every bite is delectable, and I’m not ashamed to reveal that they served me the best fried chicken I’ve ever had in my life. If they have it the night you’re there, order two.

Exceptional wines of all varietals, but I would highly recommend whatever bubbly they have on tap that night to start. You think “you’re popping in for a quick one” and end up skipping your reservation and settling in for the evening. It isn’t polished. It’s loud, cramped, and absolutely glorious. It’s a local’s place, and you immediately feel like one of their own.