Datil is a plant-driven restaurant in the Marais taking a sincere, mindful approach to excellent sourcing… and thankfully, for once, I didn’t feel beaten over the head by this (laudable) philosophy. Instead, the story is shown on the plates, which marry a wonderful generosity that I think people often fear plant-based food will lack with judicious touches of sweetness and acidity.
Author: emiglia
Juveniles is a Great Wine Bistro Steps from the Louvre
If you want your own plate of good meat, good potatoes, and a glass of excellent wine, this is the place for you.
The Butcher of Paris is a Temple to Great Beef
This contemporary butcher shop is known for its dry-aged beef, which it sources from just two farms – one in the Morvan, the other in the Aisne. Both farms raise a specific breed of Salers crossed with Angus for beef that’s richly flavored and far more well-marbled than most traditional French beef. The team dry-ages the beef right in the market in a massive dry-aging fridge, and you can either purchase cuts to prepare at home or dine on-site.
Brigat’ is My Favorite Pâtisserie in Paris
It’s rare that I find a boulangerie that also does great pâtisserie, but the Italian brothers behind Brigat’ in the Marais manage to excel in all three French baking categories – bread, viennoiserie, and pastry – with a keen, particulalry astute understanding of when to innovate and when to leave well enough alone.
I Like Kodawari Ramen Tsukiji Even More Than Its Big Brother
The more-is-more décor and truly delicious food make this ramen spot a no brainer near the Louvre.
Pluto is So Much More Than a Museum Café
Pluto is technically a museum café, given its location within the Lafayette Anticipations gallery in the heart of the Marais. But to describe it as such seems almost criminal, given the delicious creativity coming out of Chef Thomas Coupeau’s kitchen.
PleinCoeur Deserves the Accolades
If you stick to the true pâtisseries at this Batignolles pastry shop, from award-winning, palace hotel pastry chef Maxime Frédéric, it’s hard to go wrong.
Le Tout-Paris Offers Good Food and Some of Paris’ Most Amazing Views
Le Tout-Paris retains some of the coldness of a hotel restaurant, which means that while I liked it – a lot –, I did not quite fall in love. While the food here is quite nice, the ambiance, with its technicolor décor, does not scream Michelin Guide. If I return, it will be to sit on the terrace in fair weather to enjoy one of Frédéric’s pastries and the majestic views.
A l’Épi d’Or is a Fine, Expensive Restaurant Masquerading as a Bistro
A l’Epi d’Or’s prices merit a better mastery of its food, but the ballet of service and beautiful dining room may well make it worth a stop.
Le Fumoir is an Unsung Lunchtime Destination Steps from the Louvre
This excellent-value prix fixe restaurant overlooking the back end of the Louvre offers delicious, creative, slightly lighter French-Swedish fare, served by efficient and smiling servers in a gorgeous dining room. In short: I’ve found you the perfect lunchtime destination in central Paris.