JLP: It’s very fashionable, guinguettes
Completely. I did some research for you, and (be careful, I’m going into Stéphane Bern mode, secrets of history) the guinguettes were born in Paris in the 18th century and take their name from “Guinguet” the white wine with a pronounced taste of cirrhosis that were served there. The guinguettes were, as still today, friendly places where you could drink, eat, dance, and where you had to show yourself.
JLP: seasonal places if I’m not mistaken
And you’re not mistaken because indeed, these are open-air places, it’s much less pleasant in winter…it rhymes, I write octosyllables because syllable’elle weather of this day is maintained, we will be able to take advantage of the poetry of these places of relaxation on the banks of the Charente. (I think this paragraph is well written, I fussed over it a bit, did you see?)
JLP (…ahem ahem embarrassed…)
JLP: And these guinguettes of Parisian origin, we have quite a few in the area
And yes, La Rochelle is a bit like a little Paris (there will soon be so many traffic jams)(clearing of the throat fine as coarse salt). But if not, to come back to the guinguettes, we have the Staysail at La Rochellebehind the Lantern tower, their cod accras are an explosion of spicy flavors with the sweet smell of bacalao, I just hope they find enough oil in the midst of this shortage to fry them for us.
We also have the Good Planquette, Rue Planquette along the Rompsay canal. An absolutely magical place that reminds us of Feu, the immense, much-missed Belle du Gabut.
JLP: we have a great offer in our two Charentes
Yes! Olivers cook in Rochefort, Sophie’s guinguette in Saint Severin, the Chaniers guinguette near Saintes, I would like to be able to name them all, and even better, test them all, but how can I tell you that I have two children, two jobs, and 8000 hours of late sleep.
JLP: what do we like about guinguettes compared to a traditional bar?
Very often it’s big, so we almost always find a table, it’s outside so we can come with children, they can play hide and seek, eat daisies, without bothering anyone, it’s festive, music and small jaja, and then you feel free there because you come and go, people move around, gather tables, meet a bit like in the fantasized times of yesteryear. As soon as you pass the door of a guinguette, you have the impression that everyone is your friends, you chat, you smile, it doesn’t have the same effect everywhere, when you enter a gastro for example , you have the impression that everyone is an examination board, it’s not the same conviviality.
Conclusion ?
Conclusion, are the guinguettes good to frequent, it’s up to you to decide!
Chicken from Bresse