Le Parisien French restaurant adds small plates and “nasty bits” to menu

by Carolyn Ali on November 1st, 2012 at 1:09 PM

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Since Le Parisien opened at 751 Denman Street six months ago, owner John Blakeley has noticed a difference between diners in Kitsilano and those in the West End. At his Bistro Pastis restaurant in Kitsilano, diners like to linger over a traditional meal, while West Enders enjoy a more casual experience over drinks.

So while Le Parisien is keeping its popular bistro items like steak tartare and roast chicken for two, it has added a new selection of small plates, meant to be eaten tapas-style. At a recent media event, Blakely and executive chef Tobias Grignon previewed these Petit Plats, which are priced at $3.50 each and include items such as oyster Rockefeller, pork rillettes, and smoked herring with warm potato salad.

Below, Carolyn Ali photos.

Smoked herring with warm potato salad.

The restaurant has also introduced a new emphasis on “the nasty bits”, or dishes made with offal or less common cuts of meat. These are appetizer and main course specials that change every two weeks, such as dishes like duck heart tourtière and tripes à la provençale, as well as small plates. So if you want to try a less familiar dish like beef tongue, the small bites are a low-committment way to ease in.

Crispy braised pig’s trotter with lentils, frisée salad, and ginger vinaigrette.

Le Parisien has also changed up its menu to add more rustic dishes for the cold weather. These include items like boeuf Bourguignon and choucroute garnie,