Ever since meeting at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, Marie-Anna Delgado and Olivia Brunet have been inseparable. After sharpening their respective blades for a few years, the chef (the former head chef at Le Dindon en Laisse) and the cabinetmaker (several of the restaurant’s shelving units were crafted by her) decided to team up and open their own place near Belleville in Paris. The result of their union? Paloma, a darling bistro (retro tiling, vintage furniture, a sign designed by Studio Mieux) that’s winning over the neighborhood! The day we went for lunch, seated on the huge terrace, we had all of the following: an incredibly fresh tomato, cucumber and ricotta salad; a huge shredded beef spring roll with pickled red onion, crispy chickpeas, steamed carrots and a carrot purée; before a homemade fig and almond cake, served with a huge spoonful of vanilla whipped cream. At night, make way for delicious snacks: cuttlefish and smoked bacon pâté en croûte; whiting-pout ceviche with fresh herbs, fava beans and preserved lemon; fried smelt with tartar sauce; beetroot carpaccio with a lemony haddock cream… // Juliette Delmas
FEELING THIRSTY? Highly natural bottles of wine (a Vendée white from Jean-Marc Tard at €6 a glass, an Aveyron red from Pauline Broqua at €27 a bottle…), along with a few Normand beers from Les Deux Amants (€5 for 330 ml).
PRICE: Prix-fixe menus €15 (lunch), plates €7-12 (dinner).
