PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY A FEW MONTHS AFTER OUR REVIEW, THIS RESTAURANT HAS SUDDENLY CLOSED AND IS NOW A THAI RESTAURANT: MADAME SHAWN

The area around the Canal Saint Martin is forever changing. Numerous restaurants have opened recently and tourists come more and more frequently to this newly-hyped spot. Late last year we were lucky enough to try out a restaurant that we really wanted to tell you about because it brings together all the qualities we like when going out to eat: nice surroundings, good welcome, great service, an inventive menu and food with TASTE!

“Et dans mon cœur il y a” (And in my heart there is..) is definitely close to our heart. What a great name for a restaurant!

photos: jasonw

We have to admit to being a little dubious about the place to start with. From outside, the decor looks a bit dark and the prices seemed rather high. However, for a special occasion (a birthday) we decided to chance it, and we were glad we did.

The restaurant used to be a standard bistro that had tried to relaunch itself without success. After another lengthy, complete makeover, it reopened just over a year ago. Keeping the original features (wood, spiral staircase) was definitely a good idea.


The lighting is quite intimate and the ambiance is cosy. We advise you to try and get a table in the back room if you want an extra romantic dinner away from prying eyes.


The staff are very professional, are what initially seems like stiffness or standoffishness is quickly shrugged off, as the team are really quite friendly ad look after every detail.

The waiter will give you what looks to be a little leather-bound book which is actually the menu. There’s plenty in there to explore, as well as daily specials marked on the blackboard.

Knowing how rich the main dishes are, we decided to skip the first course, even if what we saw on neighbouring tables made our mouths water (next time eh?!)

If you like cocktails, try out those on the menu. Their American-sounding names remind one of films from the 50s.

Vegetarians are in for a rare treat here. It’s not often that the chef of a Parisian restaurant looks after them so well. We tried the risotto wish fresh peas and grilled hazelnuts. The chef really know his herbs; each mouthful brought a different flavour. Absolutely excellent…

The “marmite du pêcher” (seafood hotpot) smelt great but came without many vegetables. Thankfully, it didn’t really matter and the end of the meal saw it completely finished right down to the last morsel and dribble of sauce.

We chose a pitcher of organic red wine (Languedoc), heady and fruity, but the rose looked great too, very clear, perfect for a summer evening. The restaurant uses a filtering system to serve tap water either still or fizzy with a fresh taste.


Although we weren’t really hungry any more, we couldn’t resist having a dessert each (and why should we?!). Ah, the white chocolate and rosemary risotto! And the wonderful melt-in-the-mouth eggy bread (from a family recipe)! They were both amazing!


As you may have gathered, we very much enjoyed our meal and our time at the restaurant. It would be great to become regulars, but at around 70 euros per person (if you decide to order three courses, wine, water and coffee) we may have to keep it for special occasions only. Note that in the summer a small number of tables are available outside.

Et dans mon cœur il y a… is at 56 rue de Lancry, Paris 10th arrondissement. Métro Jacques Bonsergent (line 5). Open for lunch from Monday to Friday and for dinner from Monday to Saturday. Tel. +33 (0)1 42 38 07 37