Vino e Cucina
‘Tis the week before Xmas — and this one for anyone who is (admittedly) half-Grinch about it all and wants to indulge in some of this season’s jolly cheer, without going full jingle.
How you may ask? Well, that’s elementary my dear Watson. Why — just add JAZZ.
Yep! Now that we’re out of character, let’s get to the good stuff.
Once upon a time, there was a charming little Italian wine bar called the Vino e Cucina on the Rue Saint-Sauveur, in Paris’ 2eme arrondissement.
Push open the door to its candle-lit, sandstone-walled interior and cellar room, and there you would be met by a warm, welcoming, well-dressed crowd, good food, great wine and a few little plates, cool staff, class acts – and a jazz group every odd Monday.
In short, as they describe themselves: to come here is to “let yourself be yourself be transported into a world of elegance, combining modernity and tradition. As a New York revisited boudoir, you will be attracted, according to your mood, by a chesterfield enveloping a meridian, a bench seat Louis XV, a black tiled bar and our two large tables and Breakfast, located in a vaulted cellar dating back to the XIX.
“In the space of an evening, transport yourself to the other side of the Alps, taste the best wines, sublimating modern Italian cuisine.”
There’s not much else to say about this beautiful spot; other than – while they may not know much about English translation & copywriting (that’s really more our jam) it IS an absolute gem of a find for a night out/swanky vino meet-up joint with lots of ‘pep’ in its step — even amongst the many myriad wine bars, Italian trattorias, jazz bars and everything in-between that Paris has to offer – and, for those reasons, it’s definitely worth checking out.
Even more so, and especially if you’re into great bars, good wine, exquisite small plates (think: Beignets de Fleur de Courgette Farcie/Ricotta/Pistache di Bronte; Bruschetta Fontina/Jambon Blanc a la Truffe/Pesto d'Estragon); Balanced mains with soul (Linguine Aux Cepes d'Auvergne/Noix; Epaule d'Agneau Confite/Patate Grenailles/Pleurottes); delicate desserts (Tarte Sablee Framboises/Rhubarbe/Glace Mascarpone; Tiramisu Della Nonna)... and jazz.
That last one is really a key draw of this insolite hot spot.
Almost every Monday night (check their FB: Paris Jazz Sessions for event times & for table/bar reservations) there’s a new jazz band which graces the front of the bar from either France or abroad and fills the room — and the cute, lamp-lit cobblestone street outside — with beautiful, soulful, snazzy music which genuinely delights and inspires.
This Monday, December 23, particularly, they’ll have a special Xmas performance — by a swingin’ jazz band with sax, piano, trumpet, double-bass and drums — and a whooole lot of sass — so don’t be a grinch and diss it.
Yes — they WILL play some Christmas compositions, but if it’s done right and in the proper ambience and with a funky twist, then we think we can handle it, and so can you.
Do it!!! Enjoy! :)
Merry Christmas all! Joyeux Noël, Feliz Navidad, and happy holidays from us all at The Ink Collective :)
Perfect for: A Monday night vino & jazz night with friends, a classy, low-key first date; or any time you just want to unwind after-work with some funky music, in cool, cosy surroundings, and with great food & good company.
What to order: Great Italian vino. They have it in spades. And... the homemade Gnocchi* with gorgonzola cheese and truffle trimmings — IF it’s on special. *Disclaimer: Had it once, and it was DELICIOUS — but it’s not always available on the menu.
Address: 22-24 Rue Saint-Sauveur, 75002 Paris (Google Maps)
Trading hours: Tuesday-Sunday: 6PM-2AM.
Website: www.vino-cucina.com
Insta: @vinoecucinaparis
FB (Jazz Sessions): @parisJAZZsessions
Special Event
PARIS jazz SESSIONS présente le Mat Najean Jazz Band
Swingin' Christmas compositions !!!
Mathieu Najean - tenor sax
Bastien Brison - piano (Bastien Brison Jazz Pianist)
Noé Codjia - trumpet
Edouard Pennes - double-bass
David Paycha - drums
Pour réserver, ou poser des questions, appelez: 06 76 33 27 82.
Le concert est gratuit et a lieu chez le resto-bar à vin bistronomique **
