What are the highly awaited restaurants for the new season? Which are the most coveted tables by food critics this year? A super foodie short list of the new trendy restaurants this year!
In the “Japanese” category
The hot spot: OGATA.
It’s the buzzing event of the new season: the opening of a place as inspiring as it zen and spectacular by designer Shinichiro Ogata, a cult figure in Japan. A real genius, he has chosen a private mansion in the Marais to inaugurate a first “international” address conceived like a temple of Japanese culture, installed on 3 levels between the boutique dedicated to the art of tea, wagashi pastry, a deco space around craftsmanship, a contemporary art gallery and a tea salon… Highlight of the show: a gastronomical restaurant on the last floor where all the foodies already want their reservation. Installed at the bar or at a big table in a quasimonastic atmosphere, the refined kitchen showcases Japanese tradition, more contemporary than ever: starting at €45 for the lunch menu and €65 for dinner.
Ogata, 16 Rue Debelleyme, Paris 75003
In the “instagrammable” category
The hot spot: Mon Square.
The new socialite brasserie and the heated garden terrace that is making the 7th arrondissement vibrate, this is where it’s happening… Having trained with the Costes brothers, Quentin de Fleuriau hit the bull’s eye by turning to architect Florence Lopez for a grandiose scenography, including a monumental tree overlooking the large central bar central featuring the paintings of Sacha Floch Poliakoff on the walls of the Salon Rose… In addition, Mathias Kiss conceived a private salon covered in mirrors. Totally glam! À la carte: terrific chic classics appealing to the local clientele: risotto with lobster, tartare of knife-cut beer and profiteroles with salty butter caramel.
Mon Square, 31 Rue Saint-Dominique, Paris 75007
In the “bouillon” category
The hot spot: L’Épi d’or of Jean-François Piège.
After La Poule au Pot, which celebrates bourgeoise French style cuisine, Élodie and Jean-François Piège have invested in the rehabilitation of another great Parisian institution of Les Halles, about to open at the end of January: l’Épi d’Or. Same successful recipe: the couple preserved the DNA of the place and the bistro tradition of the Roaring Twenties: walls dressed up with vintage plates, still-lives on the walls, mosaics on the floor, leather banquettes, glass paste lamps and large bar in zinc. A highly popular and accessible revival, in the bouillon spirit of Paris around dishes such as steak tartare, pâté en croute, croque-monsieur or 7-hour lamb.
25 Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Paris 75001
In the “foodporn” category
The hot spot: Mokoloco.
A serious addiction is spreading over Paris. The cause? A burger with breaded beef balls and an anchovy sauce that’s very hard to give up … The dealers have been identified: Moko Hirayama & Omar Koreitem, the gourmet baddies of Mokonuts, the buzzing table in the 11th (awarded the 2017 Prix du Fooding). Right next to the mother house, the team has opened a sandwichery in a former laundry—and here you have 3 daily sandwiches that allow you to reach nirvana in a club or buns version, served non-stop from 11am to 5pm.
Mokoloco, 74 Rue de Charonne, 75011 Paris
In the category “cocktails bar”
The hot spot: Dragon by Cyril Lignac.
Success has come full circle on Rue du Dragon with the chic and glam’ potential of Lignac. Open right across Aux Prés and Bar des Prés, Dragon, the new address decorated by Studio KO (the famous setting of Chiltern Firehouse, that’s them...) is the new fave of Parisiennes in a low key atmosphere with Asian inspirations. The concept is simple: great cocktails such as “Baiser du Dragon” with Zubrowka vodka, shiso, lemon grass, aloe vera, house vanilla syrup and lemon juice (€17) served with small plates of mortadella with truffle (€10) or duck foie gras (€18). An ode to happiness before the inauguration in March of the chef’s first Italian table in the 15th: Ischia.
Dragon, 34 Rue du Dragon, Paris 750006
In the “reopening after renovation work” category
The hot spot: KGB.
The fire at the “bis” restaurant of William Ledeuil enabled the chef to freshen up the decor and highlight his admirable starred cuisine at the heart of his accessible bistro, installed a skip and a hop from his flagship aka Ze Kitchen Gallery. The signature of KGB? His Zors d’œuvre, tiny ultra fragrant appetizers platters —bouillon, carpaccio, mouthfuls…— a little like mezzés for a taste of everything and his amazing dishes that often twist a good dose of Asiea such as his Sardegna gnocchi, bouchot mussels, shellfish broth or squid, sweet potato, green curry of fennel. Count €30 at lunch time and €55 for the evening menu.
KGB, 25 Rue des Grands Augustins, Paris 75006
In the “eat-in cellar” category
The hot spot: La Parade.
Rush over there before it gets too crowded! Aldwin Beets started off at Alain Passard, Alain Ducasse, as well as Guy Savoy, before becoming the boss, with Elliot Lefevre, of La Parade, an incredible address which bobos in the Eastern part of Paris and Fooding buffs adore. Scene of the crime? Goncourt, could it be otherwise? Cantina at lunch time with the slate formula, brunch on the weekend and eat-in cellar in the evening with of course a great selection of natural wines (selection by sommelière Raphaëlle Campion) as well as cocktails prepared by mixologist Anthony Zamora, founder of Xaman Bar, elected best bar in the world by Big 7 Travel.
La Parade, 2 Rue des Goncourt, Paris 75011
In the “bistronomic revival” category
The hot spot: Dupin.
The future is assured in this cult bistro of Sèvres Bab’ that now highlights a vegetal cuisine. Renamed Dupin, this bistro is now run by young chef Nathan Helo, who has taken over after François Pasteau. A successful challenge also in terms of the decor which was maintained and where you can enjoy old-fashioned minced veggies with cooked duck and figs, butternut-chestnuts-mushrooms and scallops with the tart of the day by the meter (menu starter-dish and dessert €42).
Dupin, 11 Rue Dupin, Paris 75006
In the “stylish Italian” category
The hot spot: Zola, at the heart of Passage des Panoramas.
Pastalover or pizzamaniac? This is the existential question that comes up reagarding the new address of charismatic restaurateur Jean Valfort (Farago, Astair) who is totally into Social Food and generosity at the heart of Passage des Panoramas... All the ingredients for the efficient gathering of buddies are gathered and enjoyed by those sitting together: good Italian products, a great decor, and perfectly mastered classics at affordable prices: spritz, margarita, incredible gnocchi, pizza with truffle, chocolate fritters. No doubt, the Italian winner of the new season.
Zola, 62 Passage des Panoramas, Paris 75002
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