Open for the last two months, Pepe Grill took the place of the old Hippopotamus, which wasn’t the best restaurant back then. Visiting in 2014, I left shocked by such a French quality. Now renewed into a warm decor blending a French Brasserie and American grill, Pepe welcomes you for a gourmet lunch inspired by the villages of France and the beyond.
Start with the tataki salmon; half-cooked and sprinkled with black sesame on a bed of crisp sucrine lettuce. A sweet sauce comes to add a touch of finesse to the plate. Continue and have the mushrooms; simply mushrooms, roasted and served with a poached egg on top. They are redefining simplicity into a classy plate.
The best of three is the calamari with grilled vegetables; charcoal-grilled small-sized calamari keeping their rich taste and flavor served with roasted vegetables. Cauliflower, broccoli, potatoes... and a blend of spices to boost the flavors. My favorite of the three!
Meat followed, tender and juicy, served with potato purée on the side. I had an additional side of black rice to accompany my meal -I love rice, that’s not a secret anymore.
Good food, good casual bistro food. An enjoyable lunch in Paris.
