Osmossi by Maison Mavrommatis: The contemporary Greek bistro with Mediterranean flavours

Formerly known as Mavrommatis Passy, the Osmossi restaurant, reinvented by chef Andreas Mavrommatis, a leading figure in Mediterranean gastronomy in Paris, unveils a new, well-appointed décor and a menu celebrating the delights of Greece and Cyprus. We're off to Paris's 16th arrondissement to take a seat on the second floor and take our taste buds on a sunny journey, all surrounded by photographs by Nikos Aliagas, evoking a timeless Greece.

The menu takes us straight to the Mediterranean with its refined mezze. We tested: two trilogies of hot and cold dishes to share, enough to create a beautiful tasting table with a variety of proposals.

The first course features kolokythokeftédès, bite-size pieces of zucchini and pine nuts married with Féta AOP, Kasseri and Parmesan, accented with fresh parsley. The dish is rounded off with tender octopus, accompanied by smoked eggplant seasoned with celery stick, olive oil and sherry vinegar. Red onion pickles, sun-dried tomatoes and pita bread add a crunchy, slightly acidic note that balances the whole. Each bite seems to tell a rich, generous Mediterranean story.

The second trilogy, just as tasty, is distinguished by its melitzanokeftédès, eggplant cakes with pine nuts, Kasseri and Graviera cheeses, subtly spiced with Espelette chilli and dill. Dolmadès, vine leaves stuffed with arborio rice and flavoured with dill, add a fresh herbaceous touch. Last but not least, ktipiti, a grilled bell pepper slice married to beaten PDO Feta and Greek yogurt, punctuated with pine nuts, rounds out the experience with a creamy, slightly smoky sweetness. These dishes, served with pita bread, are a real invitation to explore Greek culinary traditions.

For the main course, a skewer of marinated king prawns reveals notes of olive oil, lemon and oregano, expertly accompanied by smoked paprika vegetables. The stuffed calamari, soft and generously garnished with vegetables and rice, evokes the convivial dinners of the Greek islands.

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To finish on a sweet note, the desserts are inspired by traditional recipes with a modern twist. We fall for the kourabiedes-style tart with a surprising shortbread crust, enhanced with a bitter almond cream and accompanied by a strawberry sorbet. As for the Manouri snacké, a goat's and sheep's cheese with Cretan honey and pistachios, it seduces us with its authentic flavors and rustic elegance. This menu, rich in textures and aromas, is a wonderful way to discover Greek gastronomy.

Osmossi is also a wine cellar and a catering boutique, where you can take some of this sunny cuisine home with you. With its affordable lunch menus (from €32), the place lends itself equally well to a convivial lunch or an intimate evening.

The restaurant is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 12pm to 2.15pm and from 7pm to 9.30pm. Closed Sundays and Mondays. A great place to get away from it all for a meal. Count on €32 to €36 for starter+main course or main course+dessert lunch menus.