Le 37 m2 (CLOSED)

[Note: This review only covers the venue's weekend brunch menu]

In 2010 Aurélien Jegou (an actor and director) and Costya Chen (a painter) embarked on a culinary adventure with Taiwanese pastry chef Yi Lin Leballeur, who had previously worked with Guy Savoy. Today, Le 37 m2 boasts a loyal customer base and excellent press reviews. But despite the restaurant’s growing reputation and a rather modest space, you won’t have to endure a half-hour queue to enjoy the exceptional Franco-Taiwanese brunch. The décor is smart and airy, and complements the food – starting with an unsalted bun served piping hot with homemade jams (blackberry, raspberry, mango), accompanied by a perfect oolong tea from Taiwan. (The restaurant styles itself as a tea room; other welcome surprises include green or bubble tea with black tapioca that forms spongy bubbles you need a straw to try to catch.) The dishes themselves are creative and well balanced – like the beef sautéed with vegetables, basil and green pepper, or prawns on a bed of tofu and stuffed zucchini served with tasty rice, mixed salad seasoned with peanuts, a few slices of perfectly runny omelette and a fresh fruit salad. The desserts are equally accomplished and include a gourmet coffee that we can’t recommend highly enough (never mind the extra €2).