L'Avant Comptoir

You can't find a more convenient, nor friendly, place to prop yourself up against the bar and order a glass of modest but good French wine to go with any one of your delicious small plate snacks, than here. It's located at Carrefour de l'Od� which puts you right in the heart of St. Germain. There are no chairs here so it's always standing-room only. Indeed, most early, and late, evenings it's difficult even to jackknife your way in to squeeze a spot along the wall or along the counter. The draws here are the friendly conversation with anyone you happen to stand next to at the bar, the delicious Chef Camdeborde-inspired small plates that include a smattering of specials of the day along with the regular offerings, and, of course, the wines. The wines are by the glass and usually come from the southwest region of France.