🍷 Paris | A Time-Honored Bistro in the Marais for 17 Years

A great spot for wine in the Marais district of Paris, here's your guide 👉 🔖 Every time I wander around the northern part of the Marais, I tend to get lost because I don't like to check maps, thinking that in such a small area, maybe by wandering around, I'll discover something new and exciting. 📍 Le Barav was a serendipitous encounter during one of my lost wanderings, but actually, a friend had taken me here years ago. It was an evening for a second round of drinks, and I remember the wine we had, but my memory of this place was somewhat vague. 🍴 This time, as soon as I arrived, memories came flooding back because this little shop has hardly changed in nearly a decade. The atmosphere is still as great, and it's packed even before meal times! The selection of wines is still wonderful, and the bottle my friend and I drank back then is still being sold on the shelf. How could I miss out on this familiar yet strange feeling and not stay for a drink! 🍷 What felt slightly different this time was the addition of some wine regions outside of Europe to the wine list. Wanting to try a few more, by the glass was definitely the way to go. So, I chose a glass of Chilean natural wine, which was very clean. The lightly macerated Muscat grapes exude an enchanting aroma of citrus, passion fruit, and white pepper, with a slight tannin and soft acidity, making it the perfect choice for Happy Hour. Looking at the menu, I felt overwhelmed with desire. Fried octopus is a common bistro dish, but the way it's prepared here is the best I've had outside of Spain. The little suckers are fried to a crisp, and the olive oil is of great quality. Simple seasoning with salt, pepper, and lime brings out a mouthwatering freshness, paired with a glass of House Champagne, bright and refreshing. The red by the glass was a Frappato from Sicily, ripe and exuberant, sweet and delicious, so I ordered a cold cut platter to go with it. Before I knew it, I had enjoyed an afternoon of drinks and snacks right into dinner time! On the wine list, there's an option to challenge a blind tasting for 6 euros. Choose red or white, and if you guess the region, variety, and vintage correctly, you get your drink for free! #Paris #ParisLife #ExploringTheCulinaryVibesOfACity #GlobalFoodAndDrinkSquad #FoodDiary #Mellow #DailyDrinking #MarionExplores #ParisMarais #ParisBistros