Paris Wine Bar: Le Mauzac

[Vinotas]

I decided to visit a wine bar that had been recommended to me, Le Mauzac, for lunch the other day.

After a long walk through the beautiful February weather, I finally arrived at 7, Rue de l'Abbé de l'Epée, a quaint, tree-lined block with a few outdoor cafés and an old toy store selling honest-to-goodness wooden toys. Here, hidden behind some planters, was Le Mauzac. Walking in, it looked all the world like a traditional bistrot, with a hand-written wine list above the zinc bar, and rickety tables crammed one on top of the other. The clientele was overwhelmingly French, with just one table of loud Englishmen. Empty bottles lined a shelf on the ceiling, reminders of fun dinners gone by. Wine is the emphasis here, as the base of the bar is lined with sculptures of grapes and there's a ton of old decanters sitting around. On one side of the room, the painted trunk of a tree rose from a hole in the floor to the ceiling above. OK, well now that was interesting...

The welcome was warm and friendly as I sat down next to the tree trunk. Still slightly jet-lagged and dazed from hunger, I never did ask about this strange sculpture; had it always been there, was it real or art or both? Who cared, I was hungry!

The waitress presented me with the hand-written chalkboard menu and wine list, which showcases artisanal, non-interventionist winemakers. I quickly singled out what I was in the mood for: magret de canard in a trompette de la mort mushrooms sauce with a potato galette. With this I chose a pichet of 2001 Cahors, Clos Triguedina, a winery I'd never heard of. The wine was quite nice, showing earthy black fruits on a plush structure that had some nice acidity. As it breathed, it emphasized more of the earthy side of its black fruits, but it was perfect with the duck breast. This had been cooked just as rare as I like it (ie still quacking), and was quite delicious.

Coffee after lunch was a nice espresso, something I am finding to be rare these days in Paris. Comfortably numb and fortified against the mid-afternoon chill, I left Le Mauzac, a silly grin covering my face.

Pics are HERE.

Next: Willi's Wine Bar and Caves Le Grand.

Cheers!