This spot is pricey, but if you’re on the lookout for truly excellent Japanese fine dining fare in Paris, it’s worth a second look.
Lazu is Quietly Achieving Bistronomic Perfection
This bistronomic restaurant is exactly what I hope for when I stumble across a little-known gem, with soulful, seasonal cuisine that surprises at every turn.
Bouillon Julien is Still Going Strong a Century In
Bouillon Julien is one of Paris’ original bouillons, offering inexpensive classic French fare. And unlike the néo-bouillons currently taking the city by storm, it’s far enough off the beaten track to avoid ultra-long lines or kitchen nightmares. And the Art Nouveau dining room so glorious.
If You’re Going to Eat on Place du Tertre, Do it at Chez Eugène
Is Chez Eugène a restaurant I would cross Paris for? Probably not – and especially not for its austere dining room, with its grey walls, black leather, and unflattering lighting. But I’m glad to know that at least one spot on the bustling Place du Tertre offers this lovely play of generosity and welcome, and I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to eat tasty food and drink delicious wines with an incomparable view.
Mokko’s Out-There Dishes Are Divisive in Their Creativity
Mokko may look like a run-of-the-mill neo-bistro, with tiled floors, bare wood tables, and a chalkboard menu. But there’s something so incredibly creative going on in the kitchen here, creativity so out-there that it can prove divisive. But when it lands, it’s pretty extraordinary.
L’Arpaon Blends Comfort and Voyage in a Refined Bistro Ambiance
L’Arpaon’s small, square dining room is at once cozy and expansive thanks to the open kitchen, mirror lining one side, and light wood furnishings, but the warmth comes too – and perhaps even more so – thanks to the friendly service, which seems truly kind, and the sense that nearly everyone in the space is a local.
Chantoiseau is Lovely – Especially If You Get the Lunchtime Prix Fixe
This restaurant on rue Lepic does lovely, fine dining plays on French classics with exquisite products, but the lunchtime prix fixe absolutely stole the show.
Trouble is Audaciously, Innovatively Delicious
This new small plates spot has gotten a lot of buzz, of late, and while I was certainly intrigued, I was also on my guard. Paris has no shortage of plates ticking the small-plate-natty-wine box. How would Trouble stand out from the others? The answer, it seems, is in the sheer audacity of the ultra-talented Stefano De Carli, previously of Verre Volé and Passerini, whose Roman background suffuses the border-bending menu with absolutely delightful combinations.
Le Normandie is a Prototypical Bistro in Montmartre with the Barest Handful of Modern Twists
I have a real soft spot for this pocket of a restaurant in the shadow of the butte Montmartre, where a very short menu of very reasonable prices is quietly shaking up the bistro category just enough to be creative and delicious.
Fellows’ Pasta Is Some of the Most Creative Out There
Fellows’ menu of reasonably priced house-made pasta is suffused with delicious international spins and flourishes, from harissa to za’atar to miso.