Allard’s holiday suggestions: celebrate Christmas in a historic bistro

Each year, as the festive season approaches, Allard comes alive with an atmosphere even warmer than usual. Dark wood paneling, red banquettes, and timeworn mirrors once again set the scene of a place where people love to gather. There is something almost timeless about our bistro: a place steeped in History—and in little stories too—where conversations mingle with the aroma of simmering dishes, and where the generosity of the welcome matters just as much as the quality of the ingredients. It is in this authentic spirit that, this year, we are offering special festive suggestions created especially for the end-of-year celebrations. A gourmet interlude, simple and sincere, designed to celebrate Christmas in a historic bistro. From December 15 to 30, some of our classics take on a festive note. If you are thinking of booking a table at Allard, we invite you to discover here a selection of dishes and wines chosen to make this time of year truly memorable. A festive and tempting suggestion As the holidays draw near, we are keen to preserve what defines our restaurant: sincere bistro cuisine rooted in tradition, yet always attentive to the pleasure of the moment, without excess or artifice. Above all, we love to offer dishes with character, prepared with the utmost care and served in an atmosphere that naturally encourages sharing. For this festive season, one product quickly stood out as an obvious choice: beef Rossini, served with truffled mashed potatoes. An emblematic dish of the season—generous and comforting—where precision of cooking and the quality of the meat are essential. We have conceived it in the purest tradition, with a festive touch added at the very last moment: fresh truffle grated tableside at the moment of service. A simple yet elegant and precise gesture, allowing each guest, according to their desire, to intensify the experience thanks to an optional truffle supplement priced by the gram, bringing a truly seasonal and festive dimension to this classic dish. Between December 15 and 30, this beef Rossini will exceptionally replace the usual beef dish on the Allard restaurant menu. A way to mark this special period and to offer our guests an even more memorable moment, while remaining true to the bistro spirit that defines us. We conceived this suggestion as a way of bringing the spirit of Christmas to the table: a generous dish, bold flavors, and exceptional products prepared with simplicity and indulgence. A “festive bistro” that is both warm and elegant. A place where one simply feels at ease. A selection of wines by the glass specially curated for Christmas To accompany these festive suggestions, our sommelier has created a limited-edition selection of wines by the glass, designed exclusively for the holidays. A concise list, carefully chosen, bringing together references selected for their ability to elevate a particular moment or dish. The journey begins with Ruinart “R” champagne, a cuvée our sommelier likes to describe as a true gateway to the festive season. Generous and luminous, with a lively character that immediately sets the tone for a celebratory meal. Offered by the glass at €30, this great champagne brings a distinctive spirit to the table—one of an elegant and joyful beginning. Next, we have selected a 2023 Puligny-Montrachet from Domaine de la Vougeraie. A white wine of remarkable precision and elegance, which our sommelier readily describes as a “sanctuary of great Chardonnays.” This wine embodies what we love to share at Allard: estates that cultivate excellence without ostentation, and a true expression of terroir. Served by the glass at €38, it pairs beautifully with a starter or a sauce-based dish, or can be enjoyed on its own, simply for the pleasure of tasting. Finally, to extend the experience and accompany our beef Rossini, we are exceptionally serving Carillon d’Angélus 2016 by the glass. A deep wine with silky tannins, where dark fruit notes intertwine with hints of forest floor. It is a natural, almost self-evident pairing, allowing a dialogue with the richness and power of the Rossini. This red wine is offered by the glass at €55—a rare opportunity to enjoy a cuvée usually served by the bottle, and one that perfectly embodies the delicacy and depth of a great festive wine. Through this selection, wine becomes a true companion to both the dish and the moment. Giving the gift of Allard: gift vouchers for a gourmet Christmas For those wishing to introduce their loved ones to the spirit of Allard, we offer gift vouchers delivered directly by email. An original idea for a refined and gourmet present, and a thoughtful gesture for those you cherish. Above all, it is an opportunity to introduce family, friends, or your significant other to an authentic bistro, attentive service, and a cuisine that transcends time without ever losing its soul. Our gift vouchers allow guests to discover an address where one feels at home, where dishes tell a story, and where time is taken to savor what is on the plate—as well as what happens around the table. They are also an elegant way to offer a gastronomic dinner without hesitation: a gift that creates memories while leaving the choice of timing. A simple way to share the spirit of Christmas, with warmth and generosity.

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Velouté de chataignes - Bertille Chabrolle
When autumn arrives at the bistro: Allard celebrates seasonal flavors

Chestnut, quince, mushrooms… How gentle our autumn produces are! With pleasure and complete naturalness, the chef of our restaurant welcomes them onto her menu this season. A tribute to the spirit of Marthe Allard, the “nourishing mother” who built the reputation of this emblematic bistro in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. A look back at the seasonality that makes the heart of Maison Allard beat. Autumn, an inspiring season for French cuisine Each season has its own charm, scenery, and atmosphere… As days grow shorter and coats and scarves return from the wardrobe, our cooks delight in the comeback of fine autumn produce. It is a particularly inspiring season for those who know how to respect nature’s rhythm. At Restaurant Allard, this philosophy has been present since its founding nearly a century ago. Cabbage, Swiss chard, chestnuts, figs, quinces, apples: it is time to enjoy the best of autumn. Delicious aromas waft from the bistro kitchen, enough to whet the appetites of guests who come to enjoy a generous dinner in a warm, welcoming setting. Chestnuts, quinces, mushrooms: the bistro’s autumn treasures Chestnuts gathered by the handful during a forest walk, mushrooms carefully selected from a secret spot kept jealously guarded, or perfectly ripe quinces just fallen from the tree, enjoyed raw or as jam… Autumn produce offers so many emblematic, flavorful treasures, each with its own preparation. For the chef, cooking these ingredients is an act of homage: she treats them with simplicity, respecting their authenticity. Throughout the menu, chestnut meets porcini, quince pairs with foie gras, and Swiss chard accompanies Aveyron lamb. On the Allard restaurant menu, autumn is celebrated in every dish and every bite. Sweet notes: figs, apples, and quinces in the spotlight In traditional bistro cuisine, those with a sweet tooth are never forgotten. At Allard, tradition is upheld, and with the arrival of autumn, seasonal fruits take pride of place on the menu. Served in a cookpot or baked into a tart, figs, quinces, apples, and blackberries are, of course, part of the experience. A chance to end lunch or dinner on a comforting sweet note, evoking in just a few bites the simplicity of desserts from days gone by. The spirit of Allard: between heritage and sincerity A zinc counter, intimate dining rooms where friends and families gather, tiled floors that have stood the test of decades: the bistro spirit of Maison Allard is present in every detail. Founded in 1932, the restaurant is a true emblem of the Parisian bistro. Nearly a century separates Marthe Allard from our chef, and yet the latter keeps the soul of the restaurant alive and vibrant, with the same sincere and generous cuisine. A cuisine that celebrates the cycle of the seasons and the fleeting passage of time. A neighborhood bistro turned Parisian institution Booking a table at Allard, means tasting the spirit of transmission that has turned a neighborhood bistro into an essential address in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. It means treating someone to a dinner that is both creative and generous, in the great tradition of French cuisine. It is a reminder that, despite the frantic pace of contemporary life, some things never change: when autumn returns, nature offers us delicious produce each year, in all simplicity.

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Bannière Big Fest
Allard at BigFest 2025: a look back at a Parisian culinary gathering

Recently, the restaurant Allard took part in the third edition of BigFest, a festival dedicated to gastronomy and live music. It was an opportunity to present one of its signature dishes to the many visitors. A look back at a highly successful edition. A festival of chefs at BigFest at La Felicità A few steps from the François Mitterrand library, not far from Place d’Italie, lies another little corner of Italy: the food court La Felicità. This year again, the iconic venue transformed itself for a weekend, as BigFest took place there from 19 to 21 September 2025. On the programme: gastronomy and live music. On the music side, names included Étienne de Crécy, Bon Entendeur and Julien Granel. For food lovers, several restaurants from the Ducasse Paris group took part in the event, with chefs present throughout the three days of the festival. Éric Azoug, executive chef of La Felicità, knows Maison Ducasse Paris well, having been head chef at Benoit for several years. Kelly Jolivet, current chef of the restaurant Benoit Paris, was also present at BigFest, along with Maison Allard and its chef Lisa Desforges. Allard’s duck with olives, a signature dish at BigFest Our bistro found its place perfectly within La Felicità’s trendsetting event. Lisa Desforges, who has led the establishment for two years, embodies both the energy of a new generation and the continuity of this venerable house. Festival-goers were able to enjoy one of the signature dishes featured on the Allard menu: roasted Challans duckling with green olives and duck jus. A generous dish, faithful to the recipe imagined by Fernande Allard nearly 80 years ago. To delight visitors, the chef and her brigade selected, as always, local and seasonal products. Meaningful encounters centred around gastronomy Like La Felicità itself, BigFest was a decidedly joyful and convivial event, giving chefs real moments of exchange among themselves and with the public. Among the restaurateurs who answered the call: the team from restaurant Allard, of course, but also Maison Benoit and restaurant Sapid. All are part of the Ducasse Paris Group and all share the intrinsic values championed by Alain Ducasse: authenticity, respect for the product, and a value that cannot be “tasted” but can be deeply felt when one looks at the paths of chefs who have trained under Alain Ducasse: transmission. Quite naturally, this shared culinary identity allowed the teams to support one another and share memorable moments during the festival. On Saturday 20 September, BigFest welcomed Alain Ducasse himself. Always inclined to share and to pass on knowledge, the chef engaged in conversation with our restaurant team and with visitors. A look back at the signature dishes from Alain Ducasse restaurants For BigFest, all restaurants went above and beyond, adapting their classics to the setting: visitors were able to enjoy a gastronomic meal in a more urban environment, aligned with the codes of street food, far from the standards of traditional Parisian brasseries. At Allard, as mentioned, the Challans duckling with olives was served. If you wish to book a table at Allard, you will surely be able to enjoy this house classic. At bistro Benoit, chef Kelly Jolivet and her brigade offered crispy Rossini-style beef cheek on toast. As for restaurant Sapid, led by Mélanie Milesi, it offered a remarkable radish and raspberry ceviche. The 2025 edition of BigFest once again lived up to expectations: bringing the excellence of gastronomy to unexpected places. A moment for the Allard team to share warm and convivial experiences with a broad audience.

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Allard X Benoit: exceptional 4-hand dinner

On Thursdays July 4 and 11, the two bistros Allard and Benoit Paris join forces to offer you two exceptional four-hands dinners. For the occasion, our young Chefs Lisa Desforges (Allard) and Kelly Jolivet (Benoit) have created two menus that brilliantly celebrate bistro cuisine, a symbol of French gastronomy, while adding a contemporary touch. Born of their immense complicity, these menus invite you to (re)discover the sincere, generous local cuisine so dear to the hearts of our Chefs. To enhance the experience, each dish will be accompanied by wines carefully selected by our Executive Chef Sommelier, Bernard Neveu, and a refined cocktail concocted by our Cocktail Chef Margot Combat!   Menu for Thursday, July 4th 2024 - at Allard Beef cheek ravioli, spicy broth Cucumber soup with gold caviar - Small spelt cookpot, primavera vegetables Zucchini flower stuffed with lobster, lobster reduction - Turbot confit, chard greens and whites, cooking juices Sautéed veal sweetbreads, artichokes en barigoule - Profiteroles, hot chocolate sauce Peach Melba   Dinner menu for July 4, 2024 - Chez Allard 135 € per person (excluding drinks) 220 € per person (with wine pairing)           Menu for Thursday, July 11, 2024 - at Benoit Paris Burgundy snails, garlic purée, parsley Paté en croûte Benoit - Fricassee of chanterelles, candied egg yolk, Beaufort emulsion Pan-fried duck foie gras, roasted peach and dolce forte - Roasted monkfish, spring garnish and pod jus Beef Wellington - Profiteroles, hot chocolate sauce Fontainebleau with strawberries and tagetes   July 11, 2024 dinner menu - Chez Benoit Paris 135 € per person (drinks not included) 220 € per person (with wine pairing)          

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Welcome back home, Laëtitia !

Allard is pleased to welcome once again the chef Laëtitia Rouabah ! After 6 years as chef at Benoit New York, Laëtitia is making her comeback as head of Allard's kitchens for an exceptional pop-up for a few months, where she already officiated from 2013 to 2016. To mark her arrival, Allard is renewing its menu... If the atmosphere of the restaurant remains the same, the chef will introduce you to some of her favorite New York dishes. On the menu, the Spiced crab cake, sweetcorn soup , the American-style blue lobster, the Beef chuck flap and sweet delights such as the Cheesecake or the S’mores... Typically American dishes executed with the verve, generosity and talent that we know the chef has. Don't worry, Allard's must-try dishes like frog legs and Duck from Challans with olives will of course continue to be offered on the menu ! A few words about Laëtitia Rouabah's background... Laëtitia Rouabah began her career with Alain Ducasse in several of his starred establishments : In 2004, she started at the Relais Plaza with Philippe Marc before joining Jocelyn Herland in London at Alain Ducasse at the Dorchester ! In 2008, Laëtitia worked at Jules Verne, the restaurant of the Eiffel Tower, where she became assistant chef to Pascal Féraud. In 2013, the chef took over the reins of Allard for a few months. From one bistro to another, she landed in New York in 2016, with the mission of gently refreshing the image of Benoit, one of Alain Ducasse's two addresses in the United States with Rivea in Las Vegas.

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