chez Louisette - Saint-Ouen

I was shopping with friends on Sunday morning in the flea market. I was pulled into this restaurant by Louis Armstrong's sounds. He singed when the saints went in March. I just had to look. When I arrived, the musicians smiled at me. There was a keyboard player and a accordion player. There were different singers who turned on the microphone. I met a lady who had been there since 1960. She took me a picture. The food was delicious. I enjoyed everything. The servers were nice. My friends thanked me for eating. The place was filled with locals not tourists. It was just packed and standing. Everyone sang and clinged to the music. It was great! We were so happy.

Recently there had lunch at the visit of the Marche au Puces. A truly unique experience. It has been for many years: in France it is necessary to say that they do it right. The tables are beaten, but the ambience is fabulous, due to the... decor and the music/singen. Think Edith Piaf/Charles Aznavour with great accordion/keyboard support. Have a loose change to tap it at the end of each session. The waiting staff (family? are fun and efficient, and the food (traditional diocese well with large portions.

This is in the middle of the markets and is tiny. We went in purely to listen to accordion and have a glass of champagne. It’s a restaurant not a bar but in this occasion they let us have a drink as we explained we...had unfortunately just eaten. It was very busy with long trestle tables and everyone squashed in. The food looked basic but plentiful at reasonable prices from 20 to 25 euros for steaks chicken and fish. They had an amazing accordion player there and an older lady singing. What ruined it for us is that we got hassled by the lady singer who stuck a cap out at us for money for her singing. We explained that we had only come in for a drink and her last song and she was more than icy cold about that. Everyone in the restaurant was intimidated to put money in her cap. NOT HAPPY JAN!! You are paying for food and the experience you shouldn’t be hassled to pay the singer and tip the waiter. Won’t be back. Smacks of touristcrip off again!

My last Sunday afternoon In Paris, after celebrating my 75th birthday for 16 days, before heading home, my friend and I metro’d up to the flea market. Found some great things, of course, but mid afternoon, as we were walking around we heard music coming...from the cafe. We decided to stop in and have some champagne and cheese. We were very pleasantly surprised when we walked in the door to find the place packed with people, eating fantastic food, and music playing! Live music. Every fourth song or so, the lady (clearly the proprietor) would take the mic and sing a tune. Very french, very entertaining. Well, I sing, a lot, and my friend wanted me to sing a song. She asked the lady if I could sing and we immediately knew there was a language barrier (no french here, no English there). However, music is universal, and she was very, very gracious and did allow me to take the mic and sing Summertime. It truly made my day. I have been wanting to sing on one of my visits to Paris.... I go at least once a year... and this was a wonderful experience for me. I am looking forward to my return to Paris in the spring of April, 2020, and you can BET I will return. Not just to sing, but enjoy some more of the wonderful food and hospitality. Curious about my singing? Go to youtube and type in my name, Sharon Turrentine. I have several songs there. Meanwhile... vive la France! Go to Chez Louisette, you will not be disappointed.

Visited the flea market in Paris and stumbled across this restaurant. Lots of noise, singing and pretty much every seat taken. We managed to squeeze in but be warned no English is spoken so go prepared! Singers stand up and belt out some old...time classics and then wander around collecting cash as tributes. Food appears fine. We had cheese, saucisson and a bottle of Sancerre. All was good. Service is without a smile if you’re not local but that’s probably part of the charm. Go and experience it. And look out for the Christmas Decorations and disco ball.