Vesper

Want to party like they do in the 7th arrondissement? Head to Vesper (“evening” in Latin) where, after Fitzgerald and Abstinence, the serial food entertainer Guillaume Bénard (Fitz Group) has opened a new cocktail-focused restaurant for glamorous feasts. There, you’ll find luxurious decor (House of Hackney wallpaper, spectacular chandeliers and velvet banquettes) by the Barcelona based Studio Lazaro, a female-forward soundtrack, and an explosive mix of Japanese and Peruvian flavors from chef Alaeddine Zitoun (ex-Balagan). Served à la carte are the incredible sushi and sashimi by master chef Mitsuo Miyauchi, along with incredible dumplings, ceviches, tacos, and, for us the night we went: flavor-packed glazed duck gyoza bobbing around in a lovely Peruvian curry broth with Japanese sauce vierge; incredible soft-shell crab tempura (pinch me, I’m dreaming), fried whole and served with spicy jalapeño mayonnaise; gourmet strips of wagyu beef cooked on the Robata grill (a miniature Japanese BBQ) with a thick béarnaise dipping sauce, and paired with (optional) miso eggplant. To round out this Lima-Tokyo trip, a very chocolatey black sesame mi-cuit with yuzu sorbet or, for something less exotic but incredibly satisfying, a fresh berry plate with rosemary syrup and strawberry sorbet. // Albert Gredinbar

FEELING THIRSTY? Cocktails that go down easy shaken up by Victorine Forget (€12-20), like the Date Night made with Original Dark rum, passion fruit, dates, mezcal and Rum Fire (€16) and wines from France and abroad: a torrontés from the Adentro winery (€9 a glass), a Chablis from Billaud-Simon (€8 a glass or €60 a bottle), or beautiful bottles to drain your bank account, like the 2009 Montrachet grand cru from La Fontaine Gagnard (€880)…
PRICE: Prix-fixe menus €29-38 (weekday lunch), à la carte €60-120, brunch €48.