Le Bistro d'Hubert

Bistro d'Hubert restaurant in Paris' Montparnasse quarter will transport you to a pretty country bistro somewhere in the south of France - though one decorated by an extremely chic designer. The bottled preserves behind peached wood and glass doors, the supersmart gingham tablecloths and napery, the sophisticated colours all adds up to rus in urbe in style. The Hubert says he has retired, but seems to show up weekly in the wide open-plan kitchen, creating innovative dishes inspired by the Southwest but filtered through his own active imagination, like duck leg nougat with foie gras and pickled tomato with curry cream and szechuan pepper. The terrace - indeed the entire restaurant - is extremely popular.