If you've had enough of traditional charcuterie and cheese boards, or classic tapas in quantities that are often too small, then don't waste another second and run to Ensemble.
Nestled since September 2018 in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, a stone's throw from the very chic Saint James, Ensemble is one of our latest favorites.
Behind this address are Aude Bourguignon and Mathieu Darmont, already behind the Tous restaurant on rue Lamartine in the 9th arrondissement. For their second Parisian baby, the two partners have opted for a cuisine of sharing and quality, featuring generous and creative gourmet tapas concocted by chef Margaux Vieljeux.
In terms of decor, we love thecozy, industrial feel created by architect Nathan Brami, with this imposing bar, a ceiling covered in mirrors to give the room even more depth, and light bulb fixtures.
But let's get back to the tasting, with a menu offering some twenty tapas, savory and sweet, between land and sea, for prices ranging from €9 to €15. For maximum sharing between diners, all plates are served at the same time, and with a smile as a bonus.
Fish lovers will turn to the highly sought-after salmon tartar with herbs and ginger pickles, or grilled octopus with parsley.
We were truly won over by the succulent roasted prawns, accompanied by a citrus salad and spinach shoots.
Roasted prawns, citrus salad and spinach shoots
Carnivores won't be able to resist Black Angus Beef Tataki with peanuts and chimichurri sauce, or marrow bones on toast topped with aged mimolette, or the incredible pot-au-feu cromesquis with tartar sauce.
For our part, we fell for the tender, melt-in-the-mouth quail fillets, subtly and perfectly paired with roasted pear and balsamic sauce.
Quail fillets, roasted pear and balsamic sauce
But vegetarians needn't worry: the Ensemble restaurant has also thought of them, offering four different tapas, including the meltingly creamy - as we like it - Pugliese Burratina with alba white truffle oil, red endives with gorgonzola mousse and fried onions, and fried artichokes with gravelax sauce.
Our favorite is the chestnut risotto, enhanced by finely chopped walnuts and Parmesan strips!
Risotto with chestnuts, walnuts and parmesan
If you've still got a little room, then you can choose between cheese such as a farmhouse gouda with truffles, or three sweet tapas, including the chocolate fondant with a praline and feuillantine chantilly, or the warm and succulent fine apple tart, accompanied by a smooth calvados cream and roasted hazelnuts for crunch. A real delight to end this meal on a more than positive note.
Apple tart with Calvados cream and roasted hazelnuts
And to top it all off, Ensemble also offers a fine selection of wines to accompany all those tapas.
The little extra? The excellent soundtrack, featuring both Regina Spektor and Ásgeir.
It's worth noting that the restaurant changes three or four of its tapas every week, depending on the market and the season. It's an opportunity to come back to Ensemble even more often to taste and discover these gourmet tapas, which put the 16th arrondissement head and shoulders above other districts of the capital renowned for their excellent gourmet addresses.
Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.
Location
Restaurant Ensemble - defiantly closed
11 Rue Spontini
75116 Paris 16
Official website
www.restaurant-ensemble.com
More information
Open Monday to Wednesday, 12:00 to 14:30 and 19:30 to 22:30 Thursdays and Fridays, 12:00 to 14:30 and 19:30 to 23:00 Closed Saturdays and Sundays
