From time to time, we can indulge in little pleasures, like eating caviar, for example. Intimidated by the big Parisian caviar houses? Take a trip to Comptoir du Caviar. Located in the 8th arrondissement, this refined spot promises great discoveries, at rather reasonable prices.
What's more, for the summer months, Comptoir du Caviar is unveiling its spring-summer menu. Yes, the place is both a seafood grocery store and a restaurant offering clever, tasty dishes based around seafood, with caviar at the top of the list.
As for caviar, Comptoir du Caviar offers 6 different types for tasting: Baerii caviar, Schenkii x Dauricus caviar, Aquitaine caviar, Osciètre caviar, Beluga caviar and, last but not least, spring caviar, an Aquitaine Baerii harvested between February and March, which can only be enjoyed until summer. If you want to taste it, it's now or never!
The restaurant's menu features several starters to share - or not, as the menu mischievously states. Choose from the trilogy of caviars and Breton blinis, a great way to start discovering what Le Comptoir has to offer (89€), the burrata with Baerii caviar (16€), theassortment of three taramas that we really liked (we tried the trout, crab and caviar; 9€), the sea urchin coral plank (14€) or the small sardines in olive oil (16€).
Another Comptoir du Caviar specialty is its oeufs cocotte, two free-range eggs with crème fraiche, mouillettes and pommes grenaille. Cocottes with caviar (26€), salmon roe (18€), sea urchin coral (18€), bottarga (15€) or tarama (14€)... Which will make you fall in love?
Or perhaps you're more of a pasta person? Here, they're served with a truffle tarama emulsion (16€) or topped with crab and Schrenkii x Dauricus caviar (25€). Two super gourmet dishes.
Finally, it's impossible to have lunch in this lovely spot without trying what is perhaps the most tempting dish on the menu: the croc-caviar (22€) made with mozzarella and Baerii caviar. At Comptoir du Caviar, we don't joke about quantities: the croc is overflowing with caviar and mozzarella. A must eat.
Before leaving, let yourself be tempted by the crème brulée glacée (8€), an astonishing dessert, or by the caviar colonel (12€), again topped with a lovely, substantial mound of caviar that plunges into the vodka during tasting.
As you can see, Comptoir du Caviar is just as much for lovers of good caviar as it is for novices wishing to discover this prestigious delicacy. Whether served in its simplest form or in beautifully mastered dishes, caviar is at its best here.
Location
Le Comptoir du Caviar - permanently closed
23 Boulevard Malesherbes
75008 Paris 8
Access
M° Saint Augustin
Official website
www.comptoirducaviar.com