Imagine a place where one owner tells stories propped up by the counter, while the other keeps refilling your glass of Tariquet white (€9.90 per bottle on during oyster happy hour) and a gang of party animals on the next table howls with boozy laughter. In short, this is properly lively Parisian bistro, where neon lights illuminate the red banquettes, retro posters adorn the walls and a pinball machine sits neatly in the corner. The real gem is the €1 Gillardeau oyster night, which takes place every Wednesday from 6pm until stocks run out. Perfect with a bowl of house frites or whelks, and perhaps one of their seventy bottled beers or thirteen beers on draught. Next time we find ourselves near Gare de l’Est, we’ll drop by Extérieur Quai for one of their €14.50 main dishes, like the potato tart or smoked sausage.
TRANSLATION: MEGAN CARNEGIE