After a nonexistent spring, summer has finally come to Paris, and you know what that means : full terraces, Seine-side picnics, decreased amounts of clothing and parched Parisians. Are you thirsty for exotic cocktails with a shot of novelty? Maybe some light tapas that are difficult to pronounce but go down easy?
Then make your way to Fish Club, the Peruvian menu-inspired refuge and the ECC group’s latest boozy food venture swimming quickly in the wake of Beef Club’s success and conveniently located two doors down.
Seafood seems to be trending in the city right now (think Lobster Bar and Le Mary Celeste), and the lighter fare mixed with a breezy cool atmosphere is exactly what this place has to offer, just in time for late sunsets and summer flings.
Dine and drink al fresco on the sidewalk terrace while sipping on Pisco-based cocktails (Peru and Chile’s national liquor made from fermented grapes). There’s also a selection of artisanal beers, or get in a bit of light reading with the massive wine list (we loved the Côtes du Jura 2008 En Griffez Blanc — a seriously good dry white).
Once you’ve picked your poison, order a small-plate assortment of fresh Peruvian tapas, including spiced ceviches and citrus-infused tiraditos or New England-style dishes, such as crab cakes with Old Bay seasoning and the hot lobster sandwich with guacamole and veal juice. We also tested the juicy marinated beef skewers and the “véritable” tarama, a bowl of creamy goodness specked with spices and served with a generous plate of pain grillé.
Inside, the owners’ go-to designer Dorothée Meilichzon (also did Café Pinson, Loustic, Merce & The Muse, among others) has created a space that feels like a living kaleidoscope with colorful and funky geometric patterns everywhere, marble and wood finishings, furniture covered in aztec prints and blue velvet, and an industrial-like ceiling with exposed steel beams — if we had to describe it in few words, we’d say neomodern retro chic, and that still wouldn’t completely cover it.
instagram: left @madame_martin & right @astridbgz
Spread over two floors, it’s the perfect place for an apéro with your babe or a drink-and-dish dirty details sesh among friends. If you’re solo, you can pull up a stool at the X-and-O-covered bar and chat with the friendly barmen or rub shoulders with other faithful ECC followers, seafood enthusiasts, fresh-off-the-boat expats and typically good-looking Parisian locals.
As the familiar saying goes,”Un de perdu, dix de retrouvés” (roughly translated to “There are plenty of fish in the sea”). In the sea of Paris bars and restaurants, that might be true, but there are plenty of so-so establishments that fall under the category of “catch-and-release.” As far as Fish Club is concerned, we think it’s safe to take the bait.
Fish Club
58 rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Métro : Etienne Marcel, Les Halles
Open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 6 pm
01 40 26 68 75
Reservations strongly advised : reservation@eccfishclub.com
Article : Stéphanie Holmes
photo:Â http://littleblackbookparis.com/
[googleMap name=”Fish Club Paris” description=”58 rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau” width=”600″ height=”200″ mousewheel=”false” directions_to=”false”]58 rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Paris[/googleMap]
