July Restaurant Buzz: Where to Eat in Paris

On July 14th, Paris is the focus of crazy celebrations commemorating 1789’s Storming of the Bastille. It’s all about Liberty, Egalité, Fraternity, as the military parade starts at L’ Arc de Triomphe and marches towards Place de la Concorde. Watch aircraft soar through the sky over the Tuileries Gardens and the Esplanade des Invalides. There’s fireworks, concerts, firemen’s balls, and more. Then, where shall we eat? Here are some delicious ideas. Vive La France !

Chez L’Ami Louis 

Acquired by LVMH – who vow not to change anything!- this authentic Parisian gem was launched in 1924. It only has 14 tables (average spend €100+), and the glittering clientele includes The Beckhams, Roger Federer, Kim Kardashian, Brad Pitt, Margaret Kemp, Bill Clinton, and, I suppose, Bernard Arnault! The cuisine de grandmère includes signature snails, foie gras, roast chicken and thin cut chips, raspberries and cream. Match with Château Cheval Blanc, 2008 (a mere €1,260).  

DETAILS

32 rue de Vertbois, 3rd 
Metro: Arts et Métiers, 
Open Wed-Sunday lunch and dinner. Closed Monday-Tuesday 
Tel: +33 (0)1 48 87 77 48

Ritz Paris Le Comptoir 

Bravo ! “La Liste distinction rewards three exciting years, rich in exchanges and daily sharing with the Comptoir teams and with French and international clients who come to discover our patisseries and creations. I’m proud and happy that Le Ritz Paris Le Comptoir have won this coveted prize, making it shine throughout the world,” says François Perret. 

DETAILS

38 rue Cambon, 1st 
Metro: Tuileries 
Open Monday-Saturday from 8 am – 7 pm

Pouliche

Amandine Chaignot, a former pharmacy student, cooked with Christopher Hache at Le Crillon, then Hotel Raphaël on avenue Kléber, before leaving for London and The Rosewood. Today, back in Paris at Pouliche, rue d’Enghien, Amandine’s delighted to be chosen as one of three top chefs who’ll  feed and nourish athletes at the Olympic Village, alongside Alexandre Mazzia and Akrame Benallal. And chez Pouliche, there’s not only warmth, happiness, and buttery cooking, but also “Veggie Wednesday” at lunch and dinner. 

Amandine, a former Masterchef jury member, has also cooked in collaboration with the Chantzios brothers, Yaya and Kalios, of Eleni Group. In parallel with the gourmet Olympics, we’re delighted to rediscover Amandine’s bucolic Café de Luce, nestled on the Abbesses side, at the foot of Montmartre hill, named in homage to Amandine’s grandmother. Check it out on Place Charles Dullin, next to the Théâtre de l’Atelier; here’s where Amandine creates her re-interpretation of French classics. Book a table on the terrace, bask in the sun (the house fresh lemonade is fragrant), and taste dishes like the egg mayonnaise, guinea fowl supreme, beef tartare, caramel cabbage and whipped cream. 

DETAILS

11, rue d’Enghien, 10th 
Metro: Château d’Eau 
Tel: +33 (0)1 45 89 07 56 
Monday-Saturday lunch & dinner. Lazy Sunday Lunch €35 

Restaurant David Toutain** 

Aficionados predict this chic, left-bank maison is a serious contender for a third Michelin star. Toutain, from Normandy, trained chez Bruneau in Caen, worked at Veyrat, chez Alain Passard as sous chef, then Mugaritz, Spain, and Corton, New York City. His interesting menus evolve with the seasons and bear the name of a plant, one of the signatures of the chef’s cuisine, along with acidity and bitterness. At the time of writing, choose from: Menu Lierre Terrestre €298, Queen of the Meadows €248, Lemon Balm Menu €188, and Menu Berce €158. Food & wine pairing €80-€180. Soft alcohol-free pairing €80-€180.

DETAILS

29 rue Surcouf, 7th 
Metro: Invalides 
Tel: +33 (0)1 45 50 11 10 
Closed Wednesday lunch and weekends, open lunch & dinner Monday-Friday. 

Quelquepart – Les Abysses

Fish aficionados, this achingly chic, unique, address is worth your attention.

Quelquepart? – Somewhere!  We’re feeling the sea, enjoying our romantic culinary fantasy. Having worked with the brigades of L’Auberge de l’Ill** (Illhaeusern) and restaurant Daniel** (New York), among other Michelin-star experiences, you’ll remember Grenoble-born Florian Barbarot from Season 10 (2023) of Top Chef. Florian acquired, via these experiences, a sublime mastery of products, tastes and innovative style cuisine. His expertise has today become the basis of marvelous menus, where the known and the unknown, acidity and sweetness, respond in a brilliant balancing act. You can’t do this at home! This is restaurant as theater, especially downstairs in the “basement.” This space invites guests to spend a “special moment with the chef.” Chef chooses the products – at the time of our visit, scallops – bridging the gap between kitchen and dining room. As for the mouthwatering desserts, pastry chef Pierre-Henry Lecompte explains passionately: “Before creating, I need to understand how my ingredients grow, and I only use seasonal produce.

DETAILS

Dinner – Wednesday-Sunday / Lunch – Saturday & Sunday 
From €40-€155
1 rue Ambroise Thomas, 9th 
Metro: Poissonnière  
Tel: +33 (0)1 83 97 22 65 

L’Entente – Le British Brasserie 

“Get thee to L’Entente immédiatement.” – British Vogue 

L’Entente, by British chef Oliver Woodhead, situated near the Opéra, sends out top quality British cuisine to mostly French diners! (The wine card lists only French wines.) The décor’s by Woodhead, and there’s a lovely outside terrace to watch the world go by.  I want everything! Fish & Chips, sauce tartare (€24). Shepherd’s Pie (€22). Onion & Stilton Tart (€26). Prune & Rabbit terrine (€14). Welsh Rarebit (€14). English cheeses from Neal’s Yard. Sticky Toffee Pudding (€11). Double Baked Chocolate Cake (€9). Wicked! 

DETAILS

Open 7/7. Sunday Brunch A La Carte (9 am – 4 pm) 
Le Sunday roast from 5 pm
13 rue Monsigny, 2nd 
Metro: Opéra 
Tel: +33 (0)1 47 42 92 35 

Pagaille 

Don’t be phased by the name (translation “chaos”) this is an interesting address… Here, the products are impressive; it’s where chef Louis Robergeau respects fresh seasonal market ingredients. His natural vision of cooking involves fermentation as he cultivates his pots of garum and miso. No waste here, surplus daily bread is mixed, roasted, then mixed into “roasted bread ice cream”,  a subtle and surprising taste! In the kitchen, Chef Louis cut his teeth at Mirazur, Menton, has fun with the products and concocts beautiful dishes, influenced by Italian, French, Portuguese and Spanish trends.

DETAILS

46 rue Ramey, 18th 
Metro: Barbes Rochechouart 
Tel: +33 (0)9 78 80 89 42 
Lunch/Dinner 7/7. Brunch & Oysters weekends 
From €19 

NHOMe 

Odd name for a restaurant! “The explanation of NHOMe comes from the term “home”, the N refers to the term “nomad” (constantly on the move). It’s a bit like the nomad who sleeps in me”, explains Michelin * chef Matan Zaken. “Thus the name of Nhomade, our catering service!” he adds. This is a chic, cool basement where Zaken suggests, “book your chair, not your table”. There are 20 chairs and guests gather around one table, discussing the wines with somm Johan Demeulemester. (Découverte – 5 glasses – €85 – Exploration – €105.) 

Our Nomad chef Maten Zaken has traveled, from whence comes his inspiration, cooking as private chef to top fashion houses, with time spent at Frenchie, London, Le George V, Paris with Christian Le Squer and Saturne with Sven Chartier.  

Chez NHOMe just 20 diners are seated at the custom-designed table creating a unique setting for dishes – served as a blind tasting- with a multi-course menu that changes daily. Welcome NHOMe! 

DETAILS

41 rue Montpensier, 1st 
Metro: Pyramides  
Tel: +33 (0)1 89 33 48 43 
6 course tasting menu €105 – 9 course Tasting Menu €130 
Closed weekends. Tuesday-Friday dinner only 

 

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La Condesa 

Chef Indra Carrillo’s gorgeous address, located in the heart of the 9th arrondissement, is a voyage. Born in Mexico City, brought up in a loving family where food took center stage in their hearts, Chef Carrillo’s culinary journey began at an early age. His parents, both connoisseurs of traditional Mexican cuisine, inspired in him a deep appreciation for the art of cooking and the importance of using the best ingredients.

Indra Carrillo’s path eventually led him to France, honing his skills in prestigious culinary addresses such as: Institut Paul Bocuse’s à Collonges, Le Meurice, Paris, L’Epicure au Bristol, Paris, Pascal Barbot’s L’Astrance. As soon as you push open the door, you enter the chef’s domain with all that characterizes his audacity and creativity and won him a Michelin * in 2019. The food highlights influences from his world travels (Mexico, USA, Spain, England, Denmark, Japan).  

“At La Condesa I’m committed to taking my guests on a journey, giving them culinary emotions”, he says.

DETAILS

13, rue Rodier, 9th 
Metro: Cadet/Anvers 
Tel: +33 (0)1 53 20 94 90 
Dinner Tuesday-Saturday, from €85-€160 
Lunch Thursday-Friday, €68 

Bateaux Mouches (created in 1949) 

Always a good idea! Consider a dinner cruise with unique views of the City of Light, and on July 14th, the fireworks! During the Olympic Games, Le Port de la Conférence and Mademoiselle Mouche are the place to enjoy the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, with specially constructed grandstands.  

Tour d’Argent Ice Cream Truck 

It’s parked in front of the Boulanger de la Tour, featuring artisanal ice creams and sorbets made in the Lille workshops of David Wesmaël (a Meilleur Ouvrier de France Glacier), using fresh, mainly French products. Try the new tangy orange version, “Mademoiselle” sorbet with orange and vanilla from Madagascar, in homage to the Mademoiselle crepes, emblematic dessert of La Tour d’Argent. A boule – €4.50 – 2 boules €7.50. 3 boules – €10.