Best bar d’auteur Guide 2017
This old Benedictine storehouse firmly anchored on the Quai des Chartrons was converted into a sophisticatedly unfinished bistro by a foursome of warriors from other establishments (Sherry Butt in Paris, Pied à Terre in London). It draws in cocktail lovers from 7pm onwards with drinks like a curative Medical Grappe made with grape and CBD syrup, lime juice, sake, Fernet Branca and cachaça, or a flammable Zombie Gris Gris with passion fruit, rooibos, allspice, grapefruit seed extract, passion fruit Byrrh, two types of rum and Pernod absinthe – wow! At night, people pile into the speakeasy-style backroom as chef Félix Clerc gets the party started: a flavorful lemon and ricotta (from the Burdigala creamy) ravioli quartet, sprinkled with piment d’Espelette and paired with a lettuce and radish cream; sublime yellow chicken supreme with adzuki beans, sweet tooth mushrooms and roasted heirloom vegetables; and some divine dessert duos, including an herbed fontainebleau with almond crumble, a plum-ginger jelly and poached fruits, or an incredible chocolate and triple malt Bellevoye whiskey tart with salted caramel, cocoa crumble and homemade whipped cream. From Monday through Saturday, there’s a hearty lunch set menu starting at €15. // A.D.
FEELING THIRSTY? In addition to the cocktails (€11-13), there’s Symbiose beer (€6 for 330 ml) and some good wines: a Côtes-du-Roussillon white from Maris Delmas (€5.50 a glass), Fruit, an opulent Bergerac red from Le Jonc Blanc (€30 a bottle) and a few bottles for when you’re aiming to impress, like the Saint-Émilion grand cru from the Château Daugay (€60)…
PRICE: Menu €15-27 (lunch), à la carte €31-36 (dinner).
