A hop, skip and a jump from Filles du Calvaire metro is Pasdeloup, complete with kitchen sit-up bar, a back room cocktail bar and a more intimate area ideal for birthdays. Take a drink recommendation from the staff, formerly of Experimental Cocktail Club and Candelaria. A delicate crab meat, hazelnut oil, Pink Lady apple and potato emulsion (€12) goes perfectly with a glass of white Amalaya (€6.50) and satisfies us during the wait. The staff are wonderful but a little thin on the ground, so come patient.
All this will be forgiven once the cocktail pairings arrive. The Fisherman's Vice is a green cocktail of Aquavit, Lillet blanc, sugar, lemon, fresh coriander, coupled with a cod green curry and coconut milk, full of flavourful spice offset by the dreamy rice. The cocktail is to die for too – fresh and light, just how we like it. It’s gone in a few sips. A chicken breast stuffed with 18-month aged Comté cheese and chanterelle mushrooms is accompanied by a Wino; Sablet white wine, savory (a peppery herb similar to thyme), lemon, Laphroaig whiskey and soda. The combination is equally delectable – these chefs know what they’re doing. The final bill isn’t cheap, but it does nothing to dent the mood as we leave this gastro, friendly joint.
TRANSLATION: MEGAN CARNEGIE