A little piece of Argentina has just set up shop in the heart of the capital's 11th arrondissement. Patchanka is the new culinary baby created by talented Argentinian chef Gastón Stivelmaher.
After extensive travels (Japan, Mexico, Philippines, Cambodia, South America...), several experiences in Spain and also in England, such as at the Fat Duck in London, Gastón landed in Paris and headed up the kitchen of the Argentinian restaurant Unico before working alongside the renowned Guy Martin. He then embarked on a new adventure, opening Clasico, inspired by the strong concept of empanadas. After opening 7 Clasico restaurants in Paris and one in London, Gastón Stivelmaher has now taken on a new challenge with the opening of this new establishment.
Patchanka, a reference to the Mano Negra album but also to the musical genre, took up residence in the Chef's favorite neighborhood, the capital's 11th arrondissement, in February 2018.
Behind thisSouth American-inspired restaurant, we discover a warm place where the Spanish accent sets the pace in the dining room, thanks to the warm and very friendly waiter Hernan.
Behind the open kitchen is Chef Gastón Stivelmaher, assisted by his second-in-command. Together, they lovingly prepare homemade dishes that are both generous and gourmet.
Offering a cuisine of migration and adventure, Chef Stivelmaher drew inspiration from his travels to create a tempting and creative menu featuringArgentinean dishes, including meats imported by cargo and cooked on site over charcoal, as well as the inevitable dulce de leche... Other South American ingredients are also cooked, such as manioc and Mexican vanilla.
As for the menu, there's plenty to choose from at lunchtime, including grilled octopus, veal rice, ceviche,Argentine entrecote with chimi sauce, and 12-hour Angus beef ribs with cassava fries.
In the evening, the menu is expanded to include an extra starter(shrimp croquetas with chipotle mayo), three extra courses(lamb confit ravioli, charcoal-grilled stuffed quail, fish of the day) and an extra dessert(Panna cotta coco).
But in the end, we opt for the very affordable lunchtime menu (starter + main course + dessert at €17). Both simple and effective, the Chef imagines two starters, two main courses and two desserts, depending on what's available, what's in season and what he's in the mood for.
That lunchtime, I let myself be tempted by a generous and succulent starter of raw sea bream, sublimated by an avocado cream and hints of lemon. A successful blend of flavors for a guaranteed explosion on the palate!
Raw sea bream, avocado and lemon
My sidekick opts for snacked white asparagus with chipotle mayo for spiciness and croutons for crunch, making this second starter another great success!
Asparagus, chipotle mayo and croutons
As for the main courses, the meat is right on target, with a perfectly cooked and very tasty grilled Angus skirt steak.
Grilled Angus skirt steak
On the other side of the table, fish, because it's also important to vary the pleasures. And I enjoyed this excellent salmon escalope, also very well cooked and seasoned.
Salmon escalope
Both dishes are accompanied by a tasty broccoli purée and piecesof eggplant, both grilled and melt-in-the-mouth. Once again, the taste buds are delighted.
Finally, on the desserts front, we opt for two of the Chef's star desserts, including our favorite that will have every gourmet hooked: a meltingly delicious dulce de leche crème brûlée with a coffee crumble crumble and yoghurt ice cream.
Dulce leche brûlée, coffee crumble and yoghurt ice cream
On the other hand, a dessert for cocoa lovers with the essential chocolate " Alfajor", a dessert made up of two chocolate-filled cookies. For added originality, Chef Gastón has added a kumquat confit. The dessert is accompanied by a delicious vanilla ice cream.
"Alfajor" chocolate, kumquat confit and vanilla ice cream
To accompany the menu, what better way than to be guided by Hernan? Passionate about Argentinian wines, the waiter is full of compliments as he talks about the different grape varieties. And it doesn't take long to fall in love with an excellent 2015 Malbec red from Bodega Cecchin.
After such a tasting, we can only congratulate and thank the Chef for taking us on a journey to faraway lands and introducing us to flavors we'd never tasted before.
We leave with delighted taste buds, and a furious desire to return to discover new flavors just as exhilarating!
Practical info:
Patchanka in Paris
33-35 Rue Saint Sébastien, 75011 Paris
Open Tuesday to Friday, 12:00 to 14:30 and 19:30 to 23:00; Saturday, 19:30 to 23:00
Lunch menu: Starter + main course + dessert €17 / Starter + main course or main course + dessert €14 / Main course €12
Lunch menu: Starters €10 to €18, main course €16 to €30, dessert €9 to €10
Evening menu : From €12 to €18 starter, from €16 to €30 main course, from €9 to €10 dessert
Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health. Drink in moderation.
Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.
Location
Patchanka
35 Rue Saint-Sébastien
75011 Paris 11
Official website
www.facebook.com
More information
Open Tuesday to Friday from 12:00 to 14:30 and from 19:30 to 23:00 and Saturday from 19:30 to 23:00
