The Hype of Chez Gladines

  For months we've heard about the amazing meals at Chez Gladine's and how fun it is to eat there. It's a Basque restaurant located in the 13th, an area we don't frequent that often. We tried to go for a goodbye meal back in July, but when we got there, it was closed for renovations. This time around, it's open again and still very popular. We got there just after 9pm since we were told that it gets less busy the later you go.  

Paul went inside to put our names in for a table. This is what the inside looked like-still very busy.

Here's the crowd outside waiting for tables that got there before us. Our friends arrived about half an hour after us and put their names down for a group of 6. We finally had our names called about 45-50min after we got there, and decided to ditch our friends to be able to eat. We were seated at a tiny table for 4 by the window with another couple next to us. 

We ordered quickly from the menu and got our drinks right away. We were between the front room and the back room right next to the bar, so there was a lot of entertainment to keep us occupied. The best entertainment though, was right next to us at our table. We were next to a french couple in their 40s who were probably on a date. They obviously knew each other, but the guy was trying very hard to impress her and she was not very interested. He talked a lot. When our food came, she blazed through her salad while he chatted away and never finished his meat plate. 

When we weren't eavesdropping on our neighbors, we enjoyed our dishes and realized how nice it was to have a night out. I had the "Poulet Basques", which was chicken with ratatouille style vegetables on top with potatos and a mini salad. At only 10euro, it was really good and very filling.

Paul had duck with Roqueforte cheese melted on top with the same potatoes and salad. His was 12euro and he said it was amazing. We finished quickly, but had to wait for our table partners to finish and then for someone to notice we were ready to go. Even with 20 people waiting outside, they didn't have enough working there to turn the tables over quickly.

Our friends got seated as we were leaving, around 11pm, but I would not have made it that long. For 30euro, it was a really good meal and drinks, but not amazing enough I could wait until late at night very often. It made sense there were a lot of students and young 20-somethings there. So basically, you're going for the atmosphere and the affordable food, not for quiet conversation. Maybe we'll try going again right when they start serving dinner earlier in the evening.