Before coming to Paris I asked a whole bunch of Paris-lovers where I should go. I mean, I have been here many times before but I don't think I've ever really explored the food scene. I know. Bad tourist. But hey, I'm making it up in full force this time. I've been exploring pretty much every nook and cranny within the Paris limits to find the best bistrot's, restaurants, boulangeries, patisseries around (you get the idea).
Bistrot Papillon outside the metro stop Poissonniere is a real special find. Out of the way of most people who just wander along the Seine, Bistrot Papillon is a hidden gem that will be a place that I will revisit time and time again with each time I come to Paris. Highlighting the best of French food in a modernesque style, this place really mixes the art culture and the food that you find in the city. They have a short menu but it doesn't seem as such as your eyes bounce from one dish to the next. You have the option of ordering each dish by itself or you can do a combo of appetizer/main, main/dessert or appetizer/main/dessert. Of course, we went with the latter.
Since we were 2 people, we could try twice the number of dishes together. Starting off with the Oeuf Mollet, a soft boiled egg nestled a bed of braised leeks to create a nest like artistic piece. From the way it looks to the taste, it was one of the most mind boggling, crazy things that I have tasted all in such a fantastic way, that I could really have 3-4 of those. We also went for the Presse de canette which has foie combined with meat into a gelatin type dish. I totally butchered that description but it doesn't change that it was a wonderful dish that I was truly astounded by.
Our main courses were a chicken breast cooked to perfection that was perfectly moist on the inside as well as a onglet de vache that was omg so juicy and sweet. You really should get it medium rare. Any more cooked and you'll lose the flavors of the dish. And to end the meal we were originally going to go with the St Nectaire which turned out to be cheese. Looking for something sweet, I chose the Espirit du Mont Blanc and the Cremeux Chocolat. The Espirit du Mont Blanc is a blast of taste and textures that really give you a neat sweet experience. It's more the fun of eating it than specifically wowing you with the flavors. The Cremeux Chocolat was the perfect balance to that that it was mostly a single texture but a burst of flavor. Starting at the top is a chocolate moose on a bed of foamed Earl Gray infused foam on top of a chocolate ice cream. Amazing.
We shared a carafe of red wine (50 cl) which was the perfect cherry on top of it all. The decor of the restaurant was amazing. If you arrive right when they open, no reservation is necessary. French casual is the dress (no shorts and tasteful dress). First you get the tourists early in the evening but you start to see the French come in closer to 7:30 and 8. The place is bustling by then so get in early! read more