In this area of central Paris just one step away from the Luxembourg Garden and the Latin quarter is this traditional seafood restaurant which purportedly serve the best bouillabaisse in town.
In 1942, La Méditerranée opened its doors and achieved immediate international success, becoming an essential part of Parisian life. The maritime inspired cuisine, in which particular attention is paid to first-class ingredients, is influenced by the sunny South of France. House specialties include bouillabaisse, carpaccio of sea bass, and other seasonal catch.
French poet, playwright, novelist, designer, film director, visual artist and critic Jean Cocteau, a close friend of Jean Subrenat who was the owner at the time, designed the original logo, and Christian Bérard, a renowned painter, created the murals in the dining rooms.
Each year the Prix Médicis literary award is presented in its private rooms, and the place is constantly patronised by the literary luminaries. While that remains a constant, over the years many chefs came and went. Chef Pierre Sahut joined the restaurant in 2017. Originally from the south-west of France, he has adopted Mediterranean cuisine, notably thanks to his 8 years experience alongside Alain Ducasse in Paris and London.
Once seated, they would serve their baguette. While it was not reheated, the crust remained crispy, and inside moist and soft. I am going to miss these French baguette when I go back home. Together with their baguette, they also serve a plate of baby radish to munch on.
Our Lunch Menu
Carpaccio de Bar | Sea Bass Carpaccio
Menthe Poivrée, Sarrazin, citron | Peppermint, buckwheat, lemon
One of their specialty that was featured in the Michelin review, the sea bass carpaccio used very fresh line caught sea bass from the nearby coasts. Sea bass is known for its mild yet distinct flavour, with a buttery tenderness that practically melts in your mouth.
The dressing was extremely simple, just olive oil, sea salt, lemon drops and sublime touches of sour cream. And for texture, there’s the popped buckwheat. Unlike suzuki (Japanese sea bass), the European sea bass has a more robust taste and mouthfeel. The dressing did not overpower the fish, and let the freshness of the fish shone through.
Tempura de Sardines | Sardine Tempura
Houmous, sauce yahourt, coriandre | Hummus, yoghurt sauce, coriander
For those that have been following my blog know my infatuation with sardines in all forms – grilled, canned, fresh, pastry and now tempura. I didn’t expect to get sardine tempura in France, so I couldn’t resist but to order this as an appetiser.
The tempura sardine did not disappoint; the coating was just right, the execution faultless. And the added surprise was the hummus under the tempura. The slightly tangy hummus and eliminated the need for the yoghurt sauce.
La Bouillabaisse de la Méditerranée
Rouille et Croûtons
I ordered their piece de resistance, the bouillabaisse, a classic Provençal seafood soup with an enchantingly complex broth originating in the port city of Marseille. It did not disappoint. Three types of fish were served alongside some perfectly cooked Ratte potato. The broth was light but they gave us extra rouille to thicken the stock to our liking. Rouille is a thick French sauce spiced with saffron and forms the base of the bouillabaisse. I cleaned up the entire plate literally, mopping every last drop with the baguette that kept coming; they probably wouldn’t need to wash the plate afterwards.
Daurade Royale | Silver Sea Bream
Artichauts Barigoule, Lard paysan fumé | Barigoule Artichokes, Smoked Peasant Bacon
Dorade or silver sea bream is a small fish with tender white flesh and shimmering silver skin. The clean flavour and meaty texture of daurade royale compares to that of red snapper. The grilled skin is incredibly delicious, and the flesh stays moist because there is a layer of fat between the skin and flesh.
Classic interior filled with nostalgia. Service was somewhat slow, but correct. The food quality was sublime and affordable. Highly recommend this restaurant if you love seafood.
Restaurant La Méditerranée
2 Place de L’Odeon 75006 Paris
Tel : +33 (01) 43 26 02 30 (Reservation)
Visited Sep 2024
Michelin France Guide Bib Gourmand ?-2024
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