Chez Mezig

Meaning 'chez moi' or 'at home' in old school French slang, Chez Mezig is a popular lunch spot with offices along the Canal Saint-Martin, and on sunny summer days the tables outside are fit to bust with punters who forgot to pack a picnic. Inside, the sizeable room with its standard-issue wooden tables and chairs is lifted by fabrics in kitsch floral patterns and a couple of snug alcoves that on quiet evenings are a gift to solo diners. Lunchtimes there's a chalkboard menu with set formules (starter/main or main/dessert for €12), which changes regularly but might offer things like a prawn and avocado tartare, duck terrine, pasta, chocolate cake, fruit tart­ – nothing out of the ordinary, but all done well. In the evenings, the à la carte menu has more substantial things like entrecôte with Roquefort sauce, duck confit for gratin dauphinois, or a sweet and spicy lamb tagine. The easy-going team handle everything smoothly, including the sale of the pieces by local artists that adorn the walls. A worthwhile neighbourhood address.