Café du Parc

Du Parc is one of the best bistros in town, a place for French fare devoid of embellishment but ripping in honest, strong flavors and deceptively simple preparation. The mussels and beef tartar may be the best in the city, which would be reason enough to visit, but the calf liver, kissed perfectly by the pan and a drizzle of shallots, olive-crusted local rockfish and crisp shavings of pork belly make us want to pitch a tent on the terrace. Which is a good spot for outdoor dining, by the way. Breakfast here is lovely – a nice blend of American and Continental dishes – and presents the opportunity for politico spotting.