Lynn is still away so I went to Monjul with my friend Pascal, the Marais expert besides myself, from the popular website Paris Marais.
Monjul is a hip restaurant in the Marais with modern, inventive food, which I appreciate as sometimes I want to be surprised rather than rely on the staples most French restaurants have. At lunch they offer three courses for 20.50 euros and it is a set menu changed daily, so no need to be overwhelmed by too many menu choices. The space is contemporary but warm with a stone wall on one side and a soothing, gray-beige painted one on the other, and there’s a great table with a comfy banquette in the front that has a floor to ceiling window.
Paying attention to summer, the first course was a swordfish, watermelon, and cantaloupe carpaccio presented in layers like a mosaic. Visually appealing, it was also appealing to my palate, which was craving a light summer type of salad with fruit. For our plat, it was calamari, swordfish(I guess swordfish was the catch of the day and they wanted to use it in every way), and shrimp over risotto. The trio was nicely cooked with the skin crispy on the outside of the swordfish and the dish was reminiscent of the clean food in New York I used to have that I miss sometimes in France. I didn’t mind having swordfish in both courses because swordfish is not served very often in French restaurants. With the menu being so light, dessert didn’t seem decadent at all, in fact I can justify it was needed.
Well the extravagance of the dessert was merited but luckily it wasn’t a huge portion. It was white chocolate mousse and dark chocolate mousse with a layer of genoise underneath. I loved the tone on tone, minimalist presentation of a white square and an oval of yogurt sorbet with jasmine. It turned out the extravagant dessert was light as a feather and the perfect complement to the meal. The only flaw was the yogurt was a little bland and watery.
Pascal is friends with the manager, who was pleasant and attentive. I have been to Monjul a few times for lunch and it has not disappointed. They also have a reasonable dinner menu for 33.50 euros for three courses and there is a tasting menu for 50 euros with 2 entrees, 2 plats, and 2 desserts. (I’ll have to try that, the two dessert menu was made just for me).
28 rue des Blancs Manteaux, 75004
Metro: Hotel de Ville or Rambuteau
Open Tuesday to Saturday
Tel. 01 42 74 40 15
http://www.monjul.com/
I am happy to announce the sale of a new set of prints of my Eye Prefer Paris Photos. I am offering 20 of my most popular and iconic images for sale including my doors, architectural details, statues, and monuments. They will make great gifts for all your Francophile friends, relatives, and colleagues but don't forget to buy some for yourself.
Click here to see photos and for full details including sizes, prices, and shipping. Here is a sample of some of the photos.
New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotte's professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday,Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.
Tours cost 195 euros for up to 3 people, and 65 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com