With a name translating as ‘hillbilly’ in some regional dialects of French, it’s no surprise bistro Pedzouille has something of a rustic feel about it. Large wooden tables, crates hung on the walls and mismatched old crockery give the cosy main room an atmosphere reminiscent of a mid-20th century farmhouse, plates served in the middle of each table for all to share. Opened by two childhood friends who dreamed of opening a bistro with a particular emphasis on French produce, the restaurant was financed thanks to a highly successful online crowdfunding campaign, and the pair now work closely with local growers to source the best quality ingredients at this 10th arrondissement address.
To start, platters are composed using the day’s special produce, which when we go include smoked sausage, Camembert au Calvados, artichoke tapenade and a creamy vegetable soup. Mains, meanwhile, include dishes like traditionally cooked beef and duck (a tough call, they’re both sumptuous), each served with the house ‘pluches’ (chips, essentially, made using three types of twice-cooked potatoes), while the standout dessert is a lush mousse au chocolat. Drinks wise, the restaurant proposes a small selection of ciders, beers and wines like an excellent Côtes du Rhône, from the Château de Montfrin.
TRANSLATION: FLORA HUDSON