Left Bank – Right Bank: Two Addresses With Summer Attitude

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Left Bank – Right Bank: Two Addresses With Summer Attitude

Recently opened, Juvia (meaning “full of joy”) replaces the Bar 105 with cool colonial style decor by Bettina Irlandini. In the kitchen is Guillaume Delage– who you may remember from his time with Michelin-starred chefs Michel Bras, Pierre Gagnaire or Fréderic Anton at Le Pré Catalan.

The restaurant is divided into four areas: the shady terrace with Kryss de Skargaarden chairs, the restaurant/ zinc style bar, and downstairs for “the after work” club style lounge bar with NY speakeasy undertones.

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Courtesy of Juvia

“For Juvia, my menu’s based on French tradition, enhanced with Asian and Anglo-Saxon influences,” says chef Delage. (Average spend from 35-76€ + wine and mixologist cocktails). Like Fish and Chips deliciously revisited, or Le Tigre qui Pleure – marinated beef, grilled Thai style – so spicy even a tiger would cry! There’s also traditional Beef Tartare or Entrecôte à la Plancha (pair with the Red Burgundy Pinot Noir, Domaine Caillot 42€-9€).

Crusty Bread by Jean-Luc Poujauran matches the generous starters, presented on hand carved wooden boards, of charcuterie, cheese or smoked salmon, smoked tuna, tarama, ceviche – Terrine de campagne maison.

For the ladies who lunch there’s the “Detox”– made with Quinoa, crab, romaine, and Granny Smith apples. Or tuck into the salad César “Juvia style.”

To finish, order the Café Gourmande which could include a taste of perfect Pistachio Strawberry Tart with artisan ice cream. Or, forget the calories and try the giant Profiterôle “Juvia” or  Rum Baba or Tiramisu. Celebrate summer and replace the coffee with a glass of chilled rosé from Château Saint Maur (45€ – 11€). The service is bright and welcoming, they actually look pleased to see guests – look on Facebook for details of the DJ.

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Courtesy of Juvia

Resturant Juvia, 105 Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 8th. Tel: 09 66 82 41 08, Metro: Saint Philippe du Roule. Closed Saturday lunch & Sunday

Truffes Folies

Courtesy of Truffles Folie Paris

Courtesy of Truffles Folie Paris

I’d just popped into Truffes Folies for a bottle of black truffle oil (10€) and I don’t know any where else to find Ketchup à la Truffe Noir (fantastic with an omelette, for 9.50€).  It was lunchtime and the charming Cyril Bocciarelli (ex-La Maison de la Truffe) said why not stay for lunch? Cyril recently launched his tiny jewel box (only 10 tables + 2 at the bar) restaurant specializing in the black and white jewels of the earth. It’s located just off the blessed and fabulous street of retail therapy – all hail rue Saint Dominique.

I begin with a cocktail Kir Royal aux Truffes (14€) and am eager to taste the just arrived Australian truffles (the season is from June-September). “This means we can serve fresh truffles all year round,” explains chef Nicolas Orlando.

For a fast – and great value- lunch, try the (17€) generous truffled dish of the day with perfect baguette – annointed with house truffle oils left on the table – by Artisan baker Nelly Julien (85 rue Saint Dominique), plus the Café gourmand.

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Courtesy of Truffles Folie Paris

The Truffes Folies summer signatures are chilled velouté of cépes with truffles and truffle sorbet. Truffled oeuf en cocotte and Burrata (fresh daily) – roquette salad. Foies gras and carpaccios feature (and can be taken away so can many dishes which can be ordered ahead). Mains include the sublime flash-fried Saint Jacques (scallops) on a bed of purple vitelotte potatoes and fresh baby vegetables. Don’t forget the risottos, pastas and truffle cheeses (Brie – Pecorino – Chévre): a good excuse for more crusty baguette!

Match dishes with a glass of red Bordeaux Truffes Folies (bottle 21€-glass 7€); Rosé Château Saint Maur “Saint-Tropez” (32€-9€); White Pouilly fumé (49€-11€). And leave room for Créme Brûlée, le tiramisu, Brioche façon Pain Perdu caramel beurre sale or vanilla ice cream – punctuated with truffles, bien sur!

Need to Know:

Summer Truffles (tuber aestivum) from May-October

Black Truffles (tuber uncinatum) from October-December from Australia from June-September

White Alba Truffles (tuber manatum pico) from October-December

I can’t wait to return – I may have a truffle addiction!

Truffles Folie, 37 rue Malar, 7th, Tel: 01 44 18 05 41, Metro: La Tour Maubourg
Lunch – Closed Sunday, Dinner – Closed Saturday-Sunday. Note : Open 7/7 in December, Traiteur – Epicérie Fine from 11h-22hrs

More in cocktails in Paris, French chefs, French cocktails, French cuisine, French food, Left Bank, Paris cocktails, resturants, Right Bank, truffles

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Born in Hampton, Middlesex, UK, Margaret Kemp is a lifestyle journalist, based between London, Paris and the world. Intensive cookery courses at The Cordon Bleu, London, a wedding gift from a very astute ex-husband, gave her the base that would take her travelling (leaving the astute one behind) in search of rare food and wine experiences, such as the vineyards of Thailand, 'gator hunting in South Florida, learning to make eye-watering spicy food in Kerala;pasta making in a tiny Tuscany trattoria. She has contributed to The Guardian, The Financial Times Weekend and FT. How To Spend It.com, The Spectator, Condé Nast Traveller, Food & Travel, and Luxos Magazine. She also advises as consultant to luxury hotels and restaurants. Over the years, Kemp has amassed a faithful following on BonjourParis. If she were a dish she'd be Alain Passard's Millefeuille “Caprice d'Enfant”, as a painting: Manet’s Dejeuner sur l’herbe !