Quoi de neuf à Paris? Recommended Restaurants and Food Events

   4882  
Quoi de neuf à Paris? Recommended Restaurants and Food Events

“Cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education.” –Mark Twain

RECH (since 1925)

Alain Ducasse and Jacques Maximin, a friendship of thirty years. So, at the invitation of Monsieur Ducasse, chef Maximin will helm Rech, one of the finest fish restaurants in town. “The market dictates what we’ll put on the menu,” explain Maximin and Executive chef Hiroyuki Kanazawa.

From the tiny, first floor, open kitchen they’re sending out fish, seafood and huge silver platters of coquillages and crustacés from the Atlantic and Mediterranean – and rest assured everything’s super sustainably harvested.

Alain Ducasse, Jacques Maximin, and Hiroyuki Kanazawa. Photo: Margaret Kemp

Created by Adrien Rech in 1925, the address became what the French call an “institution”– the only place to eat fish and seafood while greeting like-minded friends. Three signature dishes saw them coming back: La raie aux câpres, Le Camembert, and the Giant Éclair, still on the menu today.

Eat on the terrace, the ground floor bar/brasserie or climb the stairs to the bright white space, “inspired by a bistro I discovered in Santa Monica”, admits Monsieur Ducasse. The walls are punctuated with “Banc d’Anchois” extraordinary art work, by Brittany based painter Jean-Pierre Guilleron, using the Japanese technique “gyotaku”.

Drink Champagne Brut Alain Ducasse, “Clos Capelune” Château Saint Maur, Côtes de Provence, 2018 and/or “Cuvée Columelle” Domaine Richeaume I.G.P Méditerranée 2014 chosen by “Mr Wine” Gérard Margeon and presented with panache by directeur du salle Frederic Vandenelsken.

Rech. Photo: Margaret Kemp

MOF chef Maximin recommends the first scallops (Saint Jacques) beginning October and Tempura de langoustine and courgette flowers “en papillote”. “Nothing compares to the flavors and intense emotion that escapes when the paper is cut open”, he says, tapping his nose.

“And, nobody leaves until they’ve tasted the Eclair XL!”

62 avenue des Ternes, 17th
Tel: +33 (0)1 45 72 24 47
Metro: Ternes
Valet Parking. Lunch formula €36-€44 + wine. A La Carte about €80 + wine.
Closed Sunday-Monday – Gone Fishing!

Le Sergent Recruteur

Historically speaking, Le Sergeant Recruter used to get young Parisians drunk here in the bar, then sign them up for the Napoleonic army!

So, with souvenirs of his “service militaire,” chef Alain Pegouret recently acquired the Sergent Recruter restaurant set in the beating heart of the Île Saint Louis, no passport required.

“I’m like an artist with a blank canvas,” admitted the Cannes born, former chef at Laurent, the iconic restaurant on avenue Gabriel in the 8th. “After 18 years I feel the time’s right for a change,” he reflects.

Le Sergent Recruteur. Photo: Romain Zarka

Five years ago Pegouret discovered this ‘hood and Sergent Recruter restaurant, where the imposing medieval man in armor stands guard in the window, during a dinner with friends. “This area forms a culinary bridge between the right and left bank, rich in architecture and history – I feel at home here.”

To the right, there’s the bar, perfect for a chat, aperitifs, and a few amuses such as Pegouret’s spin on crispy prawns with basil; seared n’ spicy baby cuttlefish; and a flute of champagne (Billecart Salmon Brut Reserve for €19).

Then try the sweet onions, confit and caramelized, topped with caviar. Veal sweetbreads browned, sprinkled with basil, paired with New Zealand spinach and chanterelle mushroom salad, drizzled with artichoke poivrade sauce. Whole lobster’s roasted in a butter crust, with stuffed zucchini, green beans, peach and almonds infused with ginger and lemon grass. Desserts include the intriguing ginger infused chocolate, cacao & lime sorbet, under a veil of gold leaf.

Alain Pégouret. Photo: Stéphane de Bourgies

We drank, by the glass, Petit Chablis 2016 (€12) and Saint Joseph 2017 (€15) Domaine du Montrellet.

The space has original white painted beams, subtle mixes of contemporary art punctuate the long mirrored room – the open kitchen is run with military precision.

41, rue Saint-Louis en L’Île, 4th,
Metro: Sully Morland/Pont Marie
Tel: +33 (0)1 43 54 75 42
Closed on Sunday & Monday

Anona. Photo: Guilhem Touzery

Anona

Anona’s owner, the environmentally sensitive chef Thibaut Spiwack, is worried. “My concern is: what can we do to improve what we didn’t do yesterday for the planet?” Following five months of work, Anona opened (the name refers to a tropical sugar apple), replacing El Picador cantina, with the mission statement “100% ecological products.” That’s induction hobs with green electricity, materials sourced in the Ile-de-France region. Add draft beers, microfiltered water, house made breads and juices, waste food used for compost, water saving machines etc.

“I grew up in Gif-sur-Yvette (a suburb southwest of Paris) in the middle of lush vegetable gardens and, subsequently, traveling through 40 countries, I witnessed nature deteriorating before my eyes which made me aware of the dangers our planet is facing.”

Anona. Photo: Guilhem Touzery

Here’s a location to soothe the palate and your simmering anxieties about the planet’s impending doom at the same time.  “The future,” insists Spiwack, “is in our hands. We must respect not only our bodies but our agricultural lands. Sustainable development is essential in your kitchen and mine – n’est ce pas?”

Discovery menu €75 (with wine pairings + €45) Tasting Menu €95 with wine pairings +60€ A La Carte about €39 + dessert trolley €8.

Anona

Need to know :
Anona’s next door to the Théatre Herbertot. From October 3rd, 12 Angry Men (In French of course)– a powerful production.

80 boulevard de Batignolles, 17th
Metro: Rome
Tel: +33 (0)1 84 79 01 15
Closed Sunday & Monday

Bistrot Valois

Bistrot Valois

A stone’s throw from Richelieu’s Palais Royal — and the courtyard that showcases Daniel Buren’s black and white columns — Laurent Chainel (Maître-Restaurateur, creator of Cafe Tournon (6th) and Verbalon (13th) is a “valeur sure” bistrot. You’re in the former stables of Louis-Philippe and the Orléans family, a secret address, always a magical experience.

Inside, order at le zinc bar, admire the original stones, exposed brick, fabulous photos, or relax on the terrace.

Bistrot Valois

Consider, l’Andouillette AAAAA de Troyes. The ladies who lunch share the generous, tasty “Autour du Saumon” (smoked, rillettes, tarama, tartare), then Baba au Rhum or tarte du jour to finish. An eclectic selection of wines includes “Le Pur Fruit de Bistrot Valois” from the Cahors region.

Choose a little/large snack, or a hearty meal, and don’t rule out a planche of charcuterie by Maison Laborie et Fils, warm crusty bread from Master Baker Jean-Luc Poujauran.

Bistrot Valois

Try Le Hambourgeois pommes grenailles, an uptown burger made with goat’s cheese, paired with a well dressed salad. Market fresh blackboard “plats du jour” could be un petit salé aux lentilles, un dos de cabillaud sauce citron estragon, wok de legumes, un bon roast Gigot de Sisteron et son gratin dauphinoise. Average spend €35-€45 + drinks.

1bis, place de Valois, 1st
Metro: Palais Royal Musee du Louvre
Tel: +33 (0)1 42 61 35 04
Closed Sunday

Mordu Saint Germain des Prés

Mordu Saint Germain des Prés

Underneath the arched arcades, following a makeover, the covered Marché Saint-Germain market is the left bank go to bistro/brasserie hotspot. You’ll love Mordu’s vibe – a luxurious funky space that boasts beautiful volumes, wrap around terrace (for “pipole spotting”) replacing J’go (find J’Go in the 9th, 4 rue Drouot). Begin with le #saintgermain cocktail by Johann Bouard, made with tequila, cointreau, and lime.

Mordu Saint Germain des Prés

This all day eatery is the concept of Nicolas Paradis (Ô Château, Caves du Louvre) Bastien Leclerc, and, heading the kitchen, Baptiste Trudel, (ex-Yard Bistro in the 11th, Le Grand Vefour, Senderens, Bar Liberty, Melbourne).

Dishes include Fried eggplant with ponzu sauce; apricot pork terrine, spinach and wild curry; grilled octopus, kimchi and yogurt; veal tartare with Thai condiment and puffed rice. Mop up with warm Ten Belles sourdough. Petit Propositions €7-15 – Mains from €17 – Desserts – €9-11

2 rue Félibien, 6th
Metro: Mabillon
T : +33 (0)1 42 39 89 27
Closed Sunday-Monday open 7/7 from November 2019

Mordu. Photo: Margaret Kemp

Save the Date, Pastry Fans!

Yann Couvreur invites top Dutch pastry maven Frank Haasnoot to showcase three of his exquisite award winning creations: La Tarte Chocolat, Le Piedmont, and La Choco Coco from 20th-22nd September (10 am- 8 pm) at the Yann Couvreur Pâtisserie, 23 rue des Rosiers, 4th.

Frank Haasnoot’s creation for Yann Couvreur

Tous Au Restaurant

Celebrating the 10th year of Alain Ducasse’s concept, your guest is our guest (called a Two-Fer (2-for-one) in the USofA
From Monday 30th September-Sunday 13th October, 2019.
Booking opens 24th September, 2019

Tous Au Restaurant 2019

Lead photo credit : Rech. Photo credit: Pierre Monetta

Previous Article Book Review: “The Flight Portfolio: A Novel” by Julie Orringer
Next Article Les Puces de Saint-Ouen: A Celebration at Paul Bert Serpette Market


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 !

Comments

  • Vigneronne Bio
    2020-01-22 11:05:36
    Vigneronne Bio
    Can I recomand a beautiful wine that I tasted few month ago in a beautiful restaurant in Paris. I think it was a Pic-Saint-Loup.

    REPLY