Brasserie Bofinger

Brasserie Bofinger was opened in 1864 and has a reasonable claim to being the first of the Parisian brasseries.  It was quite tiny in those days, not much larger than a bar serving draught beers and charcuterie.  Today it takes up the whole street of rue de la Bastille with bright red awnings embellished with a large gold "B."  The rich dark woods, shining brass and banquettes are remarkable, but the focal point is the intricate glass dome above the main dining room.  Bofinger seats 300 and each day a staff of around 100 serve over 800 dinners.  Although tourists have found this brasserie, it has a reputation as a place where French writers, academics and politicians frequent. 

I was taken with the fine wood doors and lace-curtained windows,

allowing only a slight glimpse inside.

Brasserie Bofinger,

5-7, rue de la Bastille

75004, Paris