I have to admit I was lured to the Karl bistro by the décor.

Call me superficial, but I’ll take design over content most days. Hidden in a part of Saint Germain that a lot of people wouldn’t necessarily see (despite being near the Sorbonne and the Cluny museum), I’d spotted the black painted front and dayglo green logo and that was it; I knew I had to eat there. I hadn’t seen the menu, or the prices. I just knew.

Once inside, it was apparent that things weren’t going to be quite as rosy I had been hoping. Indie rock music was coming from the stereo (good!), the waiters were trying to hard to be our friends (not good), the décor was ‘designer’ (could be good), but a little hackneyed (if I see another cheese grater light shade I’ll run my forehead up and down it).

Thankfully, the food did not disappoint. Flavoursome and ingeniously presented (lighting conditions meant that our camera didn’t really do them justice), the dishes reflect the philosophy of the restaurant, mixing serious food (the Karl Marx influence) with a playful side (the Groucho Marx influence).

Our ravioli main course came served in a jar rather than on a plate (too complicated for you? I liked it), and the risotto was handsome and tasty. Dessert was also a success: green tea ice cream turned out to be delicious and the huge raspberry and meringue dessert was overflowing with whipped cream (definitely the way to my heart).

As the food is so good, one can’t really complain about the prices; expect to pay under 30 euros for three courses, excluding wine. Popular with posers both young and old, but perhaps not as ‘revolutionary’ as the name would suggest, try this restaurant out and see if you give Karl full Marx.

Karl Bistro
22 rue du Sommerard
75005 Paris
01 43 54 52 34
M° Cluny – La Sorbonne

Photographs by JasonW : More Photographs of Karl Bistrot