In a minimalist space, this spot serves refined tasting menus with inventive dishes and laid-back charm, making for a casual yet memorable dining experience.
"Open for: Lunch and dinnerPrice range: $$$Given how hard it is to score a reservation at chef Bertrand Grébaut’s relaxed modern bistro, you’ll probably come to the table expecting a meal that will induce instant rapture. But that’s not Grébaut’s style. Instead, his cooking is “innocent, spontaneous, and balanced,” in the chef’s own words, which translates to superbly delicate, subtle dishes like mushrooms with oyster and foie gras bouillon, or seared tuna with raspberries and tomato water. Service is friendly and easygoing, and the loft-like space is airy. Located in the 11th arrondissement.Best for: A bucket-list experience of modern French bistro cooking." - Alexander Lobrano
"A one-star Michelin restaurant in the 11th district with seasonal cuisine and pared-back interiors by Chef Grébaut." - Caitlin Gunther
"Septime, ever heard of it? When it opened in Charonne in 2011, the pioneering neo-bistro took all the stiffness out of bistro dining, made the cuisine more creative and unpretentious, threw in natural wines, and kicked off a movement. This casual yet still sophisticated spot has been full non-stop ever since, and we’d even say the restaurant put the 11th arrondissement on the dining map—after all, they got loyal Left Bankers to cross the river to eat here. It’s still just as tough to book as ever, but if you do, you’ll be rewarded with an inventive menu that changes nearly every day. Seasonal dishes are simple in presentation (there are only a few elements on the plate at once), but striking like mini edible works of art that'll inspire a few oohs and aahs at the table. " - sara lieberman, lindsey tramuta
"Meals in this warm yet pared-back Scando-inspired space start with exquisite, creative, plant- and vegetable-focused dishes that change every two weeks. But despite the ambition of the food, this is fine dining without the pomp and circumstance or cult-of-chef arrogance. Grébaut is a master at coaxing out the flavors in every ingredient and playing on texture; it isn't uncommon to have a mix of raw and cooked (in a variety of methods) on the same plate." - Lindsey Tramuta, Sara Lieberman
"Septime is the ambassador of modern French cuisine, the place to be in Rue de Charonne. The cooking here is direct, pure, and serious. Chef Bertrand Grébaut and his team cook a single menu everyday. You don’t get to choose what you eat, it’s a surprise that's unveiled only when you're served. The food is unique and ever-evolving, an exquisite combination of high quality dishes and wine. The atmosphere is modern, refined, but relaxed. It’s pricey but worth it." - Violaine & Jérémy
