Garance , Paris 75007

This restaurant opened a year ago and quickly became one of the “in” places to eat in Paris because of its inventive cuisine, excellent wine list  and friendly atmosphere.  The pedigrees of the owners, Guillaume Muller, the sommelier and Guillaume Iskandar, the chef,  probably had something to do with it  too,  as both of them were formerly at Alain Passard’s Arpege (the restaurant which is absolute top of my wish list to try!)

The rue Saint Dominique is an unusual place to open a restaurant – mostly Government Ministries  and lawyers, and you really have to go there specially – result:  very few tourists and lots of serious eaters.

On the ground floor as you come in you find yourself face to face with the kitchens, which are behind a 6 seater open  counter and a wonderful place to eat if you are on your own or just a couple.  Upstairs is a modern dining room, decorated in black and red,   and on the way up you pass the wine collection, which is housed in glass cabinets above the stairs.   But fear not, the glass is specially designed to keep out ultraviolet rays and protect the precious bottles, which are one of the great attractions of this restaurant.

On our visit we chose the 3 course lunch menu at Euros 34 and it was superb.  We started with a choice of carpaccio of veal, celery broth or shrimp with peas and caviar.  I chose the latter and it was delicious.  Then came filet of yellow lieu with asparagus or chicken with anchovies (a product much favoured by the chef) .  The desserts were thyme sorbet with ricotta cheese and blood orange sauce or a coffee parfait.

The wines by the glass varied in price from Euros 6 to 20 and the wine list was extensive , including several small producers , and at acceptable prices.

The  5 course menu in the evening is Euros 65 and is apparently well worth the price. Eating a la carte works out at about Euros 60.

A great new restaurant and I wish them every success.