13/05/2026
PARIS BISTRO LIFE: 5 rue de la Main d’Or, 11th arr.
I’d been to L’Ami Pierre, the quirky and spirited wine bistro in the 11th arrondissement, a half dozen times without noticing what’s written on the window: A L’ANCIEN REBOUTEUX. That means that a bonesetter once occupied the space. Yes, bonesetter, as in back-cracker, neck-snapper, hip-popper and the such. So I asked Robyn about it—Robyn (right in photo below), under whose watchful eye this bistro operates between well-fed diners and well-oiled bar flies, between the thousand-timers who will chat with anyone and the half-dozen timers with friends in the neighborhood, and with the amiable and unperturbable service of Gilles (left in my photo below)—and Robyn explained the natural steps since 1937 from bonesetter to bar to the animated wine bistro that he’s run since 1991. For details, even as a first-timer, dare push open the door, enjoy hearty portions of excellent bistro classics, then saddle up to the bar for an after-dinner sip and ask Robyn yourself.
