Café du Clown

After putting on a brilliant show at Oberkampf, Café du Clown is turning everything upside down on the Left Bank with its caffeinated acrobatics! Under the marquee, you’ll find Rikako Kobayashi (ex-pastry chef at Maison) and David Benichou (former sommelier at Vivant, A.T and Brutos) performing in a traditional Parisian atmosphere (bistro tables, a marble bar, old-fashioned tableware…). The other day, all of the following was gobbled up at snack time: a crispy Plaq chocolate millefeuille served with vanilla ice cream drizzled with Profil Grec olive oil; and a sort of rhubarb crumble-rhubarb cake hybrid that was both crispy and tender at the same time. Plus a handful of plump madeleines, brilliant mini kouing-amanns and crisp shortbread cookies. Those with a sweet tooth, beware – the bill can get pretty salty… // Henriette Ma 

FEELING THIRSTY? Coffee galore, with Manhattan Coffee Roasters and L’Arbre à Café coffee prepared with an Origami filter or in a V60 (€7 to €16 each though), or iced coffee (€6). Pair them with Provencal fruit nectars from La Table des Lutins (apricot-rosemary or blueberry-heather, €9).  
PRICE: Desserts €8-12, cakes, viennoiseries and shortbreads €1.50 to €7.50.