Penny Lane

Here on Rue du Faubourg-Poissonnière, Penny Lane will have you questioning the very notion of a lunch break! What should you expect? A tiny space combining exposed stone walls and a plant-covered ceiling, with Johann Barichasse (Manon Fleury’s former sous-chef at Le Mermoz) running the kitchen. He stews up three different dishes a day, in addition to small Mediterranean dishes which you’ll want to wolf down without moderation! For us, the day we went for lunch: a crazy sabich – an incredible Levantine sandwich filled with fried eggplant, hard-boiled eggs, potatoes, tomatoes and cabbage, in a soft Turkish bread spread with hummus, tahini and a mango sauce; delightful beef meatballs over an incredible bed of rice with caramelized onions, lentils, cumin-spiced yogurt and tender cranberries; a lablabi soup like you’d find in Tunis, with day-old bread, chickpeas, harissa, olives and a runny egg; before a mouthwatering mouhalabieh (Lebanese flan) infused with cardamom and fig leaves, topped with blueberries cooked in their own juice and toasted almonds – yum! // A.H.

FEELING THIRSTY? Organic brews: Bella Lula lemonade, Uma iced tea and ginger beer (€3.90 for 330 ml).

PRICE: Sandwiches starting at €9.90, mains starting €12.90, set menus €14.90 to €18.90.