(Pictured: Thoumieux)

Last month I spent a little fun in the sun in Paris… and by sun I mean winter’s sun of about 45 degrees. Still Paris can sizzle no matter what the temperature, or whatever strike/protest happens to be going on at the moment.

This trip I hit two very popular restaurants – Maison Blanche and Thoumieux. Maison Blanche’s piece de resistance is its amazing view of the city – a whole wall of windows that at night provides a magnificent view of every arrondissment. Too bad the view didn’t match the food. I didn’t think it was possible to get cheesy potatoes like you give your kid in Paris, but guess what? Now you can experience that at a five star restaurant! Service was not only less than attentive, what was to be had was banal. And call me crazy, but when my sommelier comes out wearing a butcher’s leather apron, it makes me a little bit nervous.

Thoumieux on the other hand was a complete 180. Started by former Hôtel de Crillon chef (and a Ducasse protégé) Jean-François Piège he has recently joined forces with Hotel Costes hipster Thierry Costes to create probably the hippest and most comfy brasserie you’ll ever set foot in. It is nouveau, it is baroque, it is well…just straight up chic…and that’s just the decor. The food is beyond magnifique, from the pizza souffle, to the frissee aux lardons, to the simplest – yet most delectable cheese plate you’ll find in town. Coming soon:
A chef’s table where Piege and crew will cook up a storm, right in front of you and your guests.

Thoumieux, Address: 79 rue St-Dominique, Trocadéro/Tour Eiffel, Paris, 75007 (7th Arrondissment)
Phone: 01-47-05-49-75