Our first (and last) bouchon

Following the recommendation of none other than Michel Roux Jr as well as a friend of Has and Kristina’s we booked a meal at our first ever bouchon – Chez Paul.

Bouchons serve traditional Lyonnais cooking – which has earned the city the title of the gastronomic capital of France.

Bouchons – rumoured to be named after the straw that was hung outside to advertise their business to travellers – serves, it seems to me, a lot of meat and offal. So we thought we were at least prepared.

But it was still a bit unexpected to be given an enormous bowl of bacon to share and then the calves feet – pieds de veau.

The flavours of most things seemed to me to very vinegary and even the main courses were very basically presented. The desserts were a big bowl of prunes and apple purée and creme caramel which felt a bit school dinner-y.

I did get the chance to taste another local delicacy – cervelles de canut – which is silk workers’ brains. The dish is actually made of fromage blanc and chopped herbs. It wasn’t for me.

Not sure we’ll be back anytime soon but at least it was an experience.