¡Arriba! Things are heating up on Rue des Cardeurs in Perpi City, where chef Mathieu Perez (who came from Bar Brutal in Barcelona) is speeding down the culinary highway! His vehicle of choice? The one he’s borrowing for his residency at Damien Teixidor’s Todos Contentos y Yo También – who also runs Native, located just a few minutes away. The chef sent out all of the following the night we went: sardine butter with freshly toasted rye bread, to get your engine purring; two types of plump asparagus caught in a joyful traffic jam with grey shrimp, all sprinkled with mustard seeds; perfectly grilled octopus intensified by garlic cream and fresh peas; tender spinach lasagna; before a stellar Catalan flan infused with coffee. There’s no doubt about it, this guy has earned his stripes! // Carla Fouti
FEELING THIRSTY? A natural road trip through the Occitan: a Grenache from the Domaine Léonine (€4.50 a glass), a Macabeu from Nada (€30 a bottle), a Muscat from Zulu Wine (€28)…. There’s also a democratic selection of beers to choose from (€2.50 a bottle).
PRICE: Small plates €4-12, desserts €4-5.
