I’ve been hearing about Yard for a long time, but it wasn’t until a few weeks ago that I finally made it there for lunch. I went with the knowledge that some former stalwart fans were disappointed with the new management and menu, but I have to say, without knowing what Yard used to be, I’m a pretty big fan of what it is.
After all, Yard ticks all of the boxes for what has currently become my favorite Paris restaurant: seasonal, market-driven cuisine, innovative flavors, and natural wine, including this lovely glass of skin-contact orange wine I enjoyed.
The lunch menu features two appetizers, two mains, and two desserts for under 30 euro. On the day of my visit, these squid croquettes with piquillo pepper coulis were an absolute dream.
Yum.
My dining companion opted instead for this bright green gaspacho-style soup which, while vibrant, unfortunately didn’t tick all of the flavor boxes.
The mains, however, more than made up for this small misstep. The steak and fried potatoes was served with a plethora of herbs for a bright, light flavor perfect for summer.
I opted instead for perfectly cooked fish topped with a cascade of plump orange mussels and served on a bed of baba ghanouj-style eggplant purée.
My dessert aversion led me to stop there, but this simple bowl of fromage frais topped with braised rhubarb and thyme almost changed my mind.
While we enjoyed our meal on the narrow (and slightly uneven) outdoor terrace, the interior dining room is lovely, especially as you get to see the chefs at work in the open kitchen.
All in all, it’s a great address to have on-hand, particularly given that it’s just a few steps from one of my favorite places to wander in Paris, Père Lachaise.
Yard -Â 6 Rue de Mont-Louis, 75011
