Ferdi

Known as a haunt for fashion designers, Ferdi is one of those down-home restaurants that are so anti-trendy they become trendy. The sliver of a space on the Rue Mont-Thabor is known for the old-fashioned cooking and bonhomie of owners Alicia and Jacques Fontainer. Named for their son, Ferdinand, Ferdi is a family affair, with Alicia cooking simple favorites in the back and Jacques welcoming diners. A note on the door warns that good cooking takes time, so be patient, as you would at a friend’s. The menu, too, resembles that of an unpretentious hostess, strong on homey cuisine.