There are days where everything just falls into place. Like the Saturday morning not long ago when I had invited my husband to a surprise lunch at Chez Janou. I’d read about the place: Lovely terrace and good olives, down-to-earth atmosphere and small fried fish like in Marseilles. We just had to try it.

The restaurant was humbly placed on a corner behind Place de Vosges and our spirits were raised already when we saw the front. Sort of like a garden pavilion with green twining plants, sunblind, colored lamps and lots of people closely seated drinking rose wine in the sun.

Photo Helle Moos

We got the last table outside. The waiter, a big, happy strapping fellow, was joking with everybody and before we knew it we were chatting away with the American archaeology professor and his assistant at the table next to ours on one side and the two young Parisian women on the other side.

All around, people were commenting on each others food, toasting, smiling and laughing. A wholly uncomplicated atmosphere, which is otherwise rare in Paris.
Vi had sword fish on skewers with lemon rice, the special of the day, and even the chef must have been an easygoing man, because, oh, it was so light and delicious. Simple, honest food.

Inside, a fine old bistro with mosaics on the floor, yellow walls and shelves full of good wine emerged. So even on a winters day, it’s nice to be Chez Janou.

Chez Janou, 2, rue Roger-Verlomme, 3. arr. Metro: Chemin-Vert

By Louise Sandager, extract from the travel guide PARIS mon amour!, published by Gyldendal.