There’s been a lot of buzz about the restaurant, Restaurant La Halle aux Grains inside the new Bourse de la Commerce Museum in the press and from friends and tour clients, who have gone and raved about it.
I took some tour clients last week to Bourse de la Commerce Museum and they wanted me to select a restaurant to have lunch after, and I thought it would be a perfect place, since they were foodies and had gone to many of the top restaurants during their stay in Paris.
I had visited the museum when it first opened a few months ago and tried to get a glimpse at the restaurant but you needed a reservation to enter.
Restaurant La Halle aux Grains is on the top floor of the museum. After we confirmed our reservation at the front desk, we were taken to our table. Along the way was a series of intimate dining salons, each with just three or four tables. They all had startling views facing the Saint Eustache Church, the redesigned Les Halles including the massive metal awning, and the Pompidou Museum. The minimalist design, which was right up my alley, had simple but comfortable black chairs and black café tables, a black and abstract design, area rug, and my favorite design detail, open metal work drapes and room dividers.
We sat and admired the view since it was a crisp, sunny day with dreamy blue skies and we also admired the place setting especially the china and cutlery, and at one point we all plotted to pilfer at least one item off the table but agreed to behave ourselves.
First, a little information about Restaurant La Halle aux Grains before I get to our food experience. Head chefs and brothers Michael and Sebastien Bras were inspired by the original use of the La Bourse de Commerce, which was erected in 1763 and was the stock exchange for wheat. They went to the Aubrac region of France to source much of the ingredients for the menu, with a special focus on grains and seeds from their travels around the world.
I didn’t order a starter but my friends (after our first day of touring we became instant friends) had a whole, roasted celery root, cut into pieces, with black truffle juice, and offered me a taste. It had a potato like texture and the truffle juice gave it a distinct flavor. Next up was a fantastic chicken dish with braised red endive and sprinkling grains and spices, and the artful presentation looked like a mosaic. We were lucky to have the whole dining room to ourselves and the conversation was fun and lively. Dessert was plump figs roasted in anise flavored butter served with fig leaf ice cream and then the waiter sprinkled some granola on top for extra crunchiness and flavor.
The impeccable service was gentle and caring but not overbearing or fussy.
We were having such a great time that none of us wanted to leave but our friends were leaving the next day and had to get in some last-minute shopping.
Restaurant La Halle aux Grains has lived up to its hype and buzz and it’s on the top of my list of favorite Paris restaurants at the moment. Best to reserve a few weeks in advance. Restaurant La Halle aux Grains is open for lunch and dinner but also serves coffee, tea, and pastries from 3pm to 7pm.
Restaurant La Halle Aux Grains at Bourse de Commerce
2 rue de Viarmes, 75001
https://www.halleauxgrains.bras.fr/en
Eye Prefer Paris Postcards with the Doors of Paris.
I am excited to launch a new series of Eye Prefer Paris Postcards with the Doors of Paris.
The limited-edition series of Eye Prefer Paris Door Collection Postcards are available three different ways.
18 cards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors, 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers.
Cost: $65- Free shipping
9 postcards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors.
Cost: $35 plus $5 shipping
9 postcards: 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers
Cost: $35 plus $5 shipping
Each postcard is printed on thick matte coated card stock, similar to traditional vintage postcard stock, that enhances the vibrancy of each image. Eye Prefer Paris Postcards come in classic postcard size (6”x 4.25”), perfect for collecting, framing, or sending to that special someone.
Each order is specially hand wrapped with love from Paris and mailed in an elegant, French blue envelope. Postcards take about 4- 7 days to arrive in the U.S.
Just in time for the holidays, the Eye Prefer Paris-Paris Door Collection make a perfect gift for your Francophile friends and family, and I can write a handwritten note for you and include it in the envelope.
CLICK HERE to order 18 cards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors, 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers.
Cost: $65- Free shipping
CLICK HERE to order 9 postcards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors.
Cost: $35 plus $5 shipping
CLICK HERE to order 9 postcards: 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers
Cost: $35 plus $5 shipping
Green Doors
Blue Doors
Metal Doors
