A lively standing-room wine bar for creative French small plates and natural-leaning wines; great food and energy, but service attitude and opaque wine pricing can frustrate.
L'Avant Comptoir du Marché delivers excellent small-plate cooking with creative French-tapas execution and knowledgeable wine guidance that justify a solid grade B. However, inconsistent service warmth, tight standing-room constraints, and occasional quality variation prevent higher standing. The lively market-adjacent location and expert staff-curated wine experience make it worth a visit for wine and small-plate enthusiasts, though the standing-bar format and service unpredictability limit broader appeal.
One caveat: Service tone can be brusque or rude according to multiple reports, especially when crowded