La méduse

Done out in open brick walls and simple lighting for an understated vibe, La Méduse (‘jellyfish’ in French) does well to draw in customers by the Canal Saint-Martin, whose banks are already packed with trendy bars and restaurants. Mixing the drinks here is Hamza Saïdi – formerly of the Mary Céleste oyster bar in the Marais – and he really wows with concoctions like the Soupe Aztèque (mezcal, pineapple juice, lime and agave syrup infused with thyme), which is fresh, heady and smoky in equal measure. From the kitchen, the organic Scottish salmon gravlax and Jerusalem archichokes are wonderfully delicate and slip down well with one of the fine selection of natural wines.

TRANSLATION: HUW OLIVER