My most recent visit to Treize au Jardin was not my first. Nor was it my second. In fact, if I’ve never shared my experiences at Treize with you all before, it’s not because I’ve never been – nor because I didn’t like it. It’s because my visits have always felt atypical, and I wanted to wait until I had something to say about the food that Treize is known for: the Southern American breakfast and brunch plates, the pulled pork, the biscuits. But I’ve been silent long enough.
I love this place, despite my propensity for ordering anything and everything but the things that have made Treize famous.
Treize au Jardin is a massive café with a kitschy-chic interior and a gorgeous view of the Luxembourg Gardens. It doesn’t take reservations, a policy that usually sends me fleeing further afield (in addition to my father’s penchant for owning only enough cutlery and cups to feed myself, I have also inherited his hatred of queueing), but with the enormity of its sidewalk space and all of the tables within to boot, I’ve never found myself waiting when I stroll up to this 6th arrondissement staple just up the block from one of my favorite bookshops in Paris, the Red Wheelbarrow.
With its all-day service in the central 6th arrondissement, Treize is the perfect address to have up your sleeve, no matter what you’re looking for. Want cocktails? They’ve got craft choices hot and cold, including a stellar amber chili mule. Need coffee? The filter is tasty and unlimited. Feeling homesick? You can get brunch all day, from a breakfast plate with fried eggs and potatoes to eggs Benedict to pancakes to fried chicken and French toast. Or you could opt for lunchier offerings like pulled pork, pimento cheese, or biscuits.
On this most recent visit, we opted for lighter fare: granola comes with yogurt (and seasonal fruit… if it’s, uh, in season).
This “salad” of roasted broccoli was served cold and included roasted tomatoes, pecans, and marinated feta cheese.
It’s hard to beat lunch with a view of the Luxembourg gardens, and luckily, in this intemperate weather, they offer cozy blankets to keep you warm.
I’ll be back: for some of that Southern fare and for the smoky sausages I smelled frying; for cocktails, for lemonade in summer, and for the ambiance that feels like home – wherever home may well be.
Treize au Jardin Р5 Rue de M̩dicis, 75006