This is one of my favourite Japanese restaurant in Paris, in a city where it’s really hard to come by good Asian food in general. Akasaka is a very good traditional restaurant that has great sushi and sashimi, but also tempura and more sophisticated seafood dishes. I used to go every week back when I was living in Paris. I totally recommend it, and try also their crab salad in summer, it’s great.
Just back in Paris, and what is better than heading to L’Arpege for dinner? Nothing. The restaurant just reopened after a couple months of being closed due to a fire and renovations (mostly downstairs). It was my most fantastic meal at this place since my first one, which blew me away, back in March 2006. The room was full, even though it was Monday night, Alain was smiling and going to every table, chatty as always, which made the atmosphere amazing that night. When it’s good, it is, for me - by far - the best place to eat in Paris. Hence the world (but my Tokyo trip has changed this vision a little bit I have to admit). My dad and I had the tasting menu and I don’t know if it’s the season or the forced holidays Alain took, but it was absolutely phenomenal. Even more than usual if that’s even possible. Every single dish. And the desserts are what desserts should be in a restaurant of that level: simple yet tasty and not an attempt by the pastry chef to show that he exists, by making some weird geometric shapes with too much sugar. Of course it is not cheap, especially “a la carte” but the tasting menu is worth every penny. The wine list has some good picks, even though overall it’s super expensive. But if you go to Paris, and have to choose one 3 Michelin star restaurant, then go. Make sure you have an open mind about it, as some people do find it underwhelming, but if you know what to expect, then it can only make you fall in love with its truth. Big word but totally deserved.
I was really excited to go back to Le Chateaubriand, after a somehow average meal in September. I knew it could be great, but that night it just wasn’t. This time I took my friend Jean-Philippe, who had never been and is a very good amateur cook, knows his food and likes to “analyze” it too. Inaki’s cuisine is very intellectual, and it’s very easy to miss his point if you don’t focus and if you expect a classic bistrot fare. It’s not that AT ALL. That night it was on. Oh so on! Truly amazing. What it should have been in September. Great combinations. Extremely smart dishes. Crazy ideas that worked. This guy has a whole future ahead of him, and I would love to see him work his magic with a higher price tag, with fantastic produce. But for now, run there!
After having showcased Jeff Koons’ art last year, the Chateau de Versailles continues on its contemporary art path and there is now an exhibition of Takashi Murakami, a very famous Japanese artist that you might know for his Louis Vuitton collabs. I love the contrast of modern art with the grand rooms of the castle, and I really think it’s great to do that because I wouldn’t have gone to see Versailles again if it wasn’t for Koons and Murakami’s exhibitions. Looking forward to the next one, maybe Damian Hirst?
He is the king of vegetables. You can buy his jewels every Saturday and Wednesday at a market in Paris. Going there is really inspiring! Such beautiful colors, and you just know you’re going to get the best. He provides vegetables to all of the great restaurants in Paris, including Aida and L’Astrance for example. If they were to award Michelin stars to providers, Joel would get three for sure!
This was maybe my most anticipated meal of the Paris trip. I had never been, and heard a lot of good stuff about this place. It was as good as expected. It’s very much in the style of Le Chateaubriand, very intellectual cuisine, especially if you want to understand it fully. Peter Nilsson is a great chef, part of this new generation who doesn’t really care about stars or being in a more posh area to attract a different crowd. It is full every night, and it’s well deserved. Some combinations were extremely interesting, but you have to read between the lines in order to decipher them. The wine list is ok, not amazing in my humble opinion. And the room is extra dark, which helps create a really cosy atmosphere but prevents from taking great pics. I did my best.
This little “cave a manger” is located in the 1st, next to rue du Louvre. I did not know it at all, but passed by it and I just knew instantly it was going to be great! You can just say a wine bar will be good when it stocks all the usual suspects of the natural wine movement. And man this one did not disappoint! We had a classic Fleurie 07 from Foillard and then, still thirsty, we tried a Chiroubles 08 from Descombes. They also make a mean foie gras. A really good address, also considering it’s not in the middle of nowhere like the other famous “caves a manger” in town.
Lobster killing at Aida
