It's been said over and over again: for gourmets, Paris is a gourmet playground that we'll never stop exploring. And when we set out in search of a restaurant in the capital, our desires are sometimes guided by our hunger for authenticity, other times by our thirst for inventive discoveries. Today, we're sharing with you an address that has managed to reconcile the two! We're taking you just a stone's throw from theArc de Triomphe, to the 17th arrondissement, to discover a restaurant both refined and full of character, which manages to transport us to the crossroads between modernity and tradition, while offering us a delicious escape.
This address is Madame Fan, formerly Fanfan. It's here that inventiveChinese gastronomy awaits, to the delight of gourmets in search of culinary experiences that stand out from the crowd. The result is well-executed specialties, revealing the mastery of technical skills behind Madame Fan's ovens, flavors crafted through bold pairings, and refined presentation echoing the modern elegance of the place.
To accompany its dishes, Madame Fan has no need to be ashamed of its wine cellar . However, we recommend that you let yourself be guided by the advice of her friendly team, to discover sakés to match your dishes and thus fully enjoy the experience offered by the restaurant. If you're more of a cocktail man, the GinYu, a blend of sake, gin infused with coriander, pepper and yuzu, and tonic, reveals a welcome herbal freshness on a sunny day. Finally, among the non-alcoholic beverages, there's also a not-too-sweet homemade iced tea.
After a lively appetizer of mini tartlets topped with sea bream and citrus tartare, it's time to get down to business. Madame Fan's signature creations include Xiao Long Bao, a variety of ravioli stuffed with Iberian pork in a broth and wrapped in wheat dough.
To savor this juicy ravioli, you'll have to suck the broth out of the first bite before tasting what's left. Madame Fan is the standard-bearer for traditional Chinese gastronomy concocted from quality ingredients.
For grill lovers, the menu also features cumin-scented lamb kebabs served on the barbecue. The meat is tender and juicy, with comforting smoky notes. Another favorite: the steamed shrimp ravioli. Hidden under their grilled tile, they're a fine representation of the spirit of the place, with a delicate presentation. When tasted, the freshness of the shellfish is sublimated by Madame Fan's coquetry.
Now for the main course. Tonight's favorite is the duck breast, smoked with Long Jing tea and cooked to a low temperature, resulting in very tender meat. But be warned, this is a very divisive dish: if you're a fan of characterful flavors, it's sure to please, with its balance of smoky and bitter flavors balanced by the caramelized side of the accompanying eryngii mushrooms, as well as the smoked beet condiment that also brings that sweet-savory twist we love to find with duck.
Speaking of sweet and sour, if you're an aficionado of this pairing, we heartily recommend theHong Shao braised eggplant, a specialty straight from Sichuan. The melting, caramelized vegetables make this a gourmet dish full of sweetness.
If you're more the spicy type, Kung Pao shrimps will spice up your getaway at Madame Fan's. Plated in a wok with cashew nuts and dried chillies, the meaty, lacquered shellfish reveal juicy flesh that will delight seafood lovers.
Several accompaniments are available for these dishes, and for our part we chose Dan Dan noodles flavored with Sichuan pepper and sprinkled with peanuts, a sin mignon that contributed to the taste of authenticity without weighing us down too much.
Be sure to save room for dessert, as the score will be flawless right to the end. During our visit, we found a selection that enabled all categories of gourmets to find the right plate to end their tasting. For example, the lightest sweet on the menu offered a fruity finale with strawberry gariguette (yes, it was in season) accompanied by verbena, a mint-cucumber sorbet and a coconut mousse that tied together the acidulous and herbaceous notes.
For those with a sweet tooth and a sweet tooth, the chocolate Xiao Long Bao with its hazelnut pieces offers a regressive, exotic twist. To balance it all out, a black sesame ice cream gives sweet tooths who have opted for this hearty dessert that welcome touch of freshness at the end of the meal, while offering a striking tandem of flavors.
Finally, our personal favorite is the Pandan crème brûlée, an in-between dessert that highlights the delicate accents of this plant nicknamed the vanilla of Asia. Beneath a crunchy caramelized layer, the creaminess of the crème brûlée also adds a regressive touch. The flavor of Pandan is usually quite discreet, so much so that it can sometimes seem non-existent. This is not the case here, quite the contrary. So, if you're a fan or have never tried this leaf before, now's your chance!
For those who want to rediscover the generosity of traditional cuisine and the inventiveness of a gourmet restaurant, Madame Fan offers the culinary experience that gourmet adventurers looking to get off the beaten track are looking for.
Location
Madame Fan
18 Rue Bayen
75017 Paris 17
Access
Metro Ternes (line 2)
Prices
Accord mets et vin Menu Découverte: €55
Menu Découverte: €85
Recommended age
For all
Official website
www.madame-fan.com
