Laurence Mahéo – a fashion designer – took over the family oyster business a few years ago, and her Gavrinis have been served at some of the city’s top tables. Now she has a table of her own, offering not only her famous bivalves, but a wide array of fruits de mer, some raw and some delicately cooked (with a light Japanese touch) in an airy blue and white room that will take you from Batignolles to the Brittany coast.
The specialty at Gaya is seafood, but if you’re seeking grand platters of shellfish or sole meunière, look elsewhere. Gaya, run by Pierre Gagnaire, is a throroughly modern affair.
The neo-classical pavillion off the Champs-Elysées that houses Ledoyen is owned by the city of Paris, which seems to make sense given that this is one of the city’s oldest and most grand restaurants.
At this small, contemporary bistro near the Centre Pompidou, Chef Mickael Gaigner shows off his skills — honed in high end kitchens — at reasonable prices.
Joël Robuchon’s empire expands again with the opening of another Atelier, this time on the Champs-Elysées. Expect deft use of global ingredients, pristine products, pretty people, and a wait, unless you nab reservation for lunch or the first dinner seating; otherwise, it’s first come, first served.
Since 1992, chef Katsuo Nakamura has been impressing Parisians with formidable skill and quiet rigor at this tiny Ile Saint-Louis sushi bar. French critic François Simon recently called it “toujours le meilleur de Paris…”: Still the best of Paris.
Take a seat at the counter of this slick little sushi bar and watch chef Aroun Tanovan turn out pristine sashimi, riotous rolls of pink and green, and salads of seaweed, ginger, and yuzu. The wine list is uncommonly thoughtful, and desserts are by a former Ritz pastry chef.
This seafood restaurant Rech, around since 1925, is now part of the Alain Ducasse bistro collection.
Gael Orieux’s menu at the polished and posh Auguste is all about seafood.
This historic spot, poshly decorated and poshly priced, is known for oysters and grand platters of fruits de mer, as well as its classified, Louis Majorelle – designed art deco toilettes. No kidding.
Régis’ fantastic oysters come from the Marenne-Oleron and are available for dégustation on the spot in the sea blue dining room, to to take home. Take note: Like most oyster bars, Régis has a long summer closure.
Once a haunt of the left-bank literati, Le Dôme, with its sparkling platters of fruits de mer, remains an address for power lunches and tourists looking to rub shoulders with Hemingway’s ghost while getting their fill of zinc and iodine.
Francis Dubourg grows his oysters in the Arcachon basin and brings them direct to Paris for tasting in this adorable room outfitted to feel like a seaside shack (cabane). Charming.
La Rotonde is a classic Montparnasse café and brasserie, serving standards like onion soup and steak tartare all day, along with oysters and other seafood in season.
Find a Bite
Find us on Facebook
Forum Chatter
Game On!
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Suggested Books by our Gang of PbM Contributors
Recent comments
- La Tache 1962 on Our Guide to Paris: BigarradeNot in 2012, but I promised to do so when they have the Coutume coffee. Which they will be tasting monday I...
- Meg on Our Guide to Paris: BigarradeYou make a compelling case, my dear Tache. Have you been back to l'Astrance lately? It's been ages since I read anything...
- Meg from Paris by Mouth on Restaurant Radar: Paris food news & reviewsDear GP, Thanks for taking the time to respond, and I will gladly accept your word when you tell us that you...
- Gilles Pudlowski on Restaurant Radar: Paris food news & reviewsSorry... for you, but I'have payed the bill at the marvelous Albion and I was guested by a friend at Fish. But,...
- Steve Zimmerman on Our Guide to Paris: A la Biche au BoisI'm commenting on my own comment. We returned to Paris in Sept. 2011, dined at Biche twice. Still the same wonderful food...
A Year in the Mouth
