BUZZ Extra: Little B by Dominique Bouchet, Paris 8th

Little B, Paris 8th Dominique Bouchet (ex-Le Crillon) launched his eponymous neo-bistro six years ago and has been playing to full houses ever since. His delicious Michelin-starred food and the relaxed atmosphere means you have to book well ahead.  What is it about these ex-Crillon chefs? Christian Constant and Jean-François Piège seem to get off on taking over the streets where they cook! At No. 9, Bouchet’s got his Wa – Bi Salon, a beautiful Zen space showcasing the alliance of Japanese and French cuisine, flower arranging, wines and sake. Little B opened recently next door and it’s always buzzing. Bouchet’s haute couture fast food concept is a bright contemporary red and grey space.  “It’s the premier self-service gastronomique à Paris,” he explains. So you grab a bespoke made silver tray, take cutlery and glass and head for the self-serve line and the welcoming open kitchen. Only the best: note the tableware from Guy Degrenne and Montgolfier. “It’s self-service pour les gastronomes pressés,” says Bouchet. On a plexiglass board, the daily fare: Soupe, say, Crème de Topinambour, Bavette sauce échalote, Joue de Porc coquillets, Truite de mer, sauce beurre blanc. Or, a black lacquer dish of O Bento filled fresh daily by a Japanese chef: omelette japonaise, porc laqué, makis. All to eat in or take away. “At last, an authentic O Bento in Paris,” says Noriko, from the Japanese embassy. Dessert includes salade de fruits or the very French, epic baba au rhum, clafoutis aux pommes, etc. No wonder the food’s so delicious: in the open kitchen you’ll find Christophe Luzié (ex-Crillon) and Sébastien Guillot, chef at Dominique Bouchet. Gaëlle, his adorable daughter, is en salle, discreet and efficient. It’s so chic, darling. PRACTICAL INFORMATION Little B Tél: 01 4563 4047 11, rue Treilhard, Paris 8th Métro: Miromesnil Open: Mon-Fri lunch only and Open Thursday night for dinner with table service: 3 courses 38€ includes wine Plat du Jour 12.80€ Starter/Main or Main/Dessert 16.50€ 3 courses – 21 50€ A La carte about 17€ + wine Order online to take-away – Tél: 01 45 63 40 47 Margaret Kemp is a British-born Cordon Bleu graduate who traveled the world and worked in the kitchens of the world’s top chefs in Australia, Asia, the USA and France before becoming a food and restaurant writer. Her Sunday BUZZ columns feature interviews with prominent chefs plus the latest restaurant and entertainment news published exclusively for BonjourParis Premium Members. You are reading an excerpt from PREMIUM CONTENT sent first to Premium Members who read our Sunday BUZZ column for the latest top chef news, restaurant openings, trends and happenings in Paris, London, Nice, Cannes, New York and other international destinations. If you’re a culinary traveler, please consider an annual Premium Membership with exclusive content and members-only benefits. Would you like to propose a story? Submit an article or story idea. Subscribe for free. NEW: exclusive content for subscribers only. Search our library with 7,200+ stories. BonjourParis has been a leading online France travel and French lifestyle site since 1995.   Thank you for using our direct link to Amazon.com every time you shop the world’s largest online retailer. View our Top 100 Bestselling Amazon.com Items. (Please wait for Amazon.com widget to load) Want more? View our recommended France-themed books & items. Most recent listings at last pages.   Direct airport transfer service PARIS SHUTTLE is a leading Paris airport transfer service. Book your airport transfers in advance online for direct to-your-door service and check the current discount available to BonjourParis readers who book using our link.