Brother restaurant to my favorite haunt Martin, Robert is an 11th arrondissement staple with Chef Peter Orr at its helm… usually. This past Saturday, Orr welcomed Andy Oliver et Mark Dobbie from London’s Som Saa for a six-handed prix fixe lunch – which ended up playing out more like a block party with excellent Thai food and was the perfect way to kick off the summer.
We started things off with drinks and milling about in the sunshine: Thai beer, natural wine, and more.
Next, we took to our tables for a series of hors d’oeuvres.
These rice cakes topped with spiced, shredded chicken were the perfect one-bite appetizer: richly flavored and just spicy enough.
These fried oyster mushrooms were a bit milder and, in my book, not quite as interesting as some of the other things that appeared on our table, but they boasted an intriguing and moreish texture and crunch.
This fermented pork, however, was my favorite of the three: the perfect balance of sweet, salty, hot, and umami with a tender, moist texture.
Next up, we tried three different mains to share: this beef shin curry with tons of fresh vegetables.
This hot and sour soup with mussels, clams, and a coconut-scented broth.
This raw fish salad with a funky, oniony, sweet-and-sour dressing and a nice touch of spice.
And this ultra-rich shrimp paste and coconut cream relish, served with raw veggies and my absolute favorite dish of the day (and unfortunately my worst photo, too…).
We finished things off with this light dessert of peaches in a spiced, iced syrup – a bit sweet for my taste, but positively gorgeous.
I loved this event, not just for its exquisite food but for its social, casual ambiance and reasonable pricetag – just 40 euros per person for all of the day’s dishes. I will definitely be returning the next time these talented chefs grace the city – or Orr decides to cook up Thai food on his own.
Robert – 32, rue de la Fontaine au Roi, 75011