Le Stella Brasserie — Traditional But Chic

By DAVID DADOUN

This Tony establishment, in the bourgeois 16th off of Avenue Victor Hugo and Rue de la Pompe, is on a corner with tables for outdoor seating three seasons of the year and oysters shuckers with their fisherman caps outside busily preparing large platters of oysters, crab, langoustine and large shrimp. Le Stella is a true Parisian brasserie – you won’t find tourists here – just the upper crust of Paris coming for a relaxed family meal.When we came with our two boys, we were ushered upstairs and, to our surprise, Le Stella was full of families like ours, with children munching on Entrecôte, frites and other grown-up plates, as there is no separate children’s menu. Don’t be intimidated by the waiters in black bow ties either – they are friendly, if not busy – and the clientele come dressed down in jeans and maybe polo shirts (just don’t be surprised if the women are also wearing Jimmy Coho six-inch high heels, with a fur coat -except in the summer).

The food is terrific, with classic dishes such as Escargots, Steak au Poivre, and Sole Munière to choose from. For desserts, we tried Profiteroles, which is vanilla ice cream served in a light pastry puff. The waiter has a pitcher of extra rich warm dark chocolate sauce that he pours on top which easily satisfied the four of us.

I love Le Stella for its ambience – not too fancy or stuffy – but still rich in detail with elegant service and fine food at average brasserie prices. Open seven days a week, reservations are not necessary.
Address: 133, avenue Victor Hugo, Paris, 75016

Phone: 01-56-90-56-00