“Fleur de Pavé”, a one-Michelin-star restaurant located in the Opéra district—my favorite area, where I always try to stay.The restaurant specializes in dishes that blend French cuisine with innovative techniques. The menu is inspired by the chef’s travels and his love for Japanese flavors.At first glance, the restaurant looks completely ordinary. The kitchen is in plain sight, and you can see all the action happening. There are only a couple tables on the ground floor, while the main dining area is upstairs.There are two menu options: a four-course lunch menu and a six-course tasting menu. Interestingly, you don’t get to choose your dishes—you simply pick the number of courses. Intriguing!To start, they served bread and two tartlets: one with carrot and cheese, slightly spicy, and another with more pickled notes.The first appetizer was thin slices of raw cauliflower with Madagascar vanilla. Very light and interesting—I prefer starters like this, ones that don’t overwhelm you right from the beginning.The second appetizer featured Japanese squash with an egg yolk in the center. A soft purée with hints of orange and lemongrass—delicate and beautifully balanced.For the main course, a chicken breast with mushrooms, baby potatoes, and a side of purée. In my opinion, it’s quite difficult to make chicken truly surprising—you need a remarkable sauce to elevate it. The dish was well-executed, the chicken was tender, but for those who frequently visit Michelin-starred spots, it won’t be a revelation.Dessert was a piece of chocolate cake with hazelnut praline, topped with vanilla ice cream. I’m not sure the ice cream was necessary—the flavors were already incredible: rich and sweet (in a good way). Small bits of fresh herbs added an unexpected touch of greenery, momentarily separating you from the main dessert.As a final treat, they brought a complimentary selection of sweets: lime marshmallow, macaron, and a coffee truffle.I reccomend to visit this restaurant
Written July 31, 2025