Hoosta Magazine

by Cecile Jayet, editor of Hoosta Magazine.

Cyril Lignac has recently opened a restaurant in the 11th arrondissement, near the Grand Hotel Francais. Le Chardenoux, from 1908 and inscribed with historical monuments, is a real beautiful Parisian bistro as you have never (or almost). Renovated with passion by the new owner, it delivers lunch and dinner market cuisine, fresh and spontaneous in a friendly atmosphere.

How was the adventure of Chardenoux? Is this the place that inspired your kitchen like traditional cooking that led you to this place?

CL: It’s a bit of both, and above all, a nice coincidence. After five years at the Fifteenth, my first restaurant, I wanted to write a new partition. I was looking for a truly Parisian bistro, a kind of old timeless gem full of history, where the atmosphere “old style” might lend itself to a fine local cuisine. I have heard of an opportunity to Bastille (I was not particularly attracted by the 11th) was the Chardenoux. A magnificent hotel in its own juice, a rare gem, which reminded me of the old car I own for years. It was just an extension of my passion for antiques. I began to renovate the facility keeping everything that makes the charm of the place. It appealed to artisans Ledru Rollin Street to rebuild the old leather banquettes, we went to the Marché Saint-Pierre to buy fabrics for curtains, I conducted research at the BNF to find the vintage photos of Chardenoux (which are now under management in the restaurant), I unearthed some old coffee machines and cutting the ham. The Chardenoux is like my house.

You are here bistro cuisine, it is far from Cuisine Attitude du Quinzième …

CL: I love cooking gastrointestinal, because it is the absolute requirement, but equally I love the simplicity and usability of the kitchen bar. The Chardenoux is small (35 seats), intimate, confidential, glued tables, wine glass, a digestif at the bar that makes you want to linger. It’s a great bistro cuisine, or pork meat, or trend, with side dishes once served in silver pots qu’accompagnent the Laguiole my homeland. The Chardenoux calls this type of cuisine, simple, genuine, friendly products, like the beautiful white asparagus from the Landes egg mimosa and warm vinaigrette that I serve at this time. But, make no mistake, the link with my other restaurant since it is the butler who takes care of the Fifteenth of the cellar of Chardenoux. And then I let you imagine …

When talking about your cuisine, we often hear about “generous cuisine”. Where does this generosity come from?

CL: Being head over to me the doors of the kitchen, I need to be attentive to the customers to feel that I work in a real place to live. Eating is also talk, laugh, enjoy, even s’engueuler. This is one of the best pleasures of life, we must learn to be generous! Probably you are talking about generosity also comes from my upbringing, my house, we like large tables, my father who was loved craft material, touch, and my mother loved to listen to people and receiving. Today, I’m having to Chardenoux is my relaxation, I even do the service to assess the prevailing mood among the tables against a backdrop of French songs (Dutronc, Serge Gainsbourg …) and English pop. The relaxed atmosphere makes the natural mix between customers and the neighborhood clientele. Recently, we received an Australian couple from Sydney who had decided to reserve at Chardenoux to celebrate his wedding anniversary! Word-of-mouth, no doubt …

Speaking of word-of-mouth, what is your favorite food?

CL: The eggplant moussaka with lamb and cumin. Delicious, representative of the south, is used directly into the dish, eaten with a salad and dessert, a lemon meringue pie or caramel eclair, the perfect summer meal. I also create many seasonal dishes. I’m developing for the summer hamburger beef from the Aubrac to be made with bread from a baker friend of mine and served with a salad from my garden. This will be perfect for a lunch on the terrace, right?

And if you are fully-booked, could you recommend one or two places in the neighborhood?

CL: The cocktail at Pure Cafe is one of my favorite haunt in the neighborhood. I also have neighbors who make a beautiful kitchen like the Bistrot Paul Bert. I love the kitchen of Chez Mamy, a real kitchen of Grandma with the place that goes with it, the bar for cocktails and Rounds of family or friends. Throughout the neighborhood, you feel like home.

Le Chardenoux
1, rue Jules Valles
75011 Paris
France
Tel. 01 43 71 49 52
Open daily.
Valet parking at night.

Address recommended by Si Zyad Si Hocine, owner of Grand Hotel Francais (Paris 11th arrondissement).

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