It's a fact: autumn and its grey, rainy days have arrived on the streets of the capital without us having time to see them coming. But there's no question of letting it get us down. So, while some choose to pamper themselves with spas and massages, others opt for a gourmet solution that's just as uplifting: a Parisian restaurant that puts sunshine on your plate and cheers you up.
Such is the case with thePitanga restaurant , located a stone's throw from the Bourse de Commerce, in the Halles district : a festive Brazilian restaurant, with everything you need for a well-deserved shot of dopamine. Heading up the kitchens is a well-known figure on the Parisian gastronomic scene, Brazilian chef Alexandre Furtado, a veteran of Alain Ducasse's Dorchester restaurant in London, and the second half of a duo formed with Yoann Dinh, who is responsible for Bistro Paradis and the late Mina's on rue de Paradis.
A genuine Brazilian tapas restaurant with a light, plant-based decor and a small terrace, Pitanga was destined to be a Franco-Brazilian table when it opened in 2020 - some would still use the now-discredited term 'fusion cuisine'. But it seems that the two partners have opted for a more straightforward style of cooking, with a menu that now focuses entirely on its South American origins, and changes every month. And so much the better!
Named in homage to the pitanga, a Brazilian berry tree also known as the Cayenne cherry, the rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau restaurant draws on the sacrosanct techniques of Brazilian gastronomy to flatter meat, fish and vegetables, in turn marinated, candied, roasted or barbecued.
The beef cromesquis (9€), small but plentiful, are topped with a lightly acidic caramelized onion compote, and are crunched playfully, directly with the fingers. The gambas cromesquis (10€) is deconstructed, with the rice inside the plump croquettes and the gambas on the side, to be dipped in a dog sauce - a sauce originating from the West Indies and Guyana, similar to the classic chimichurri.
The cream of Jerusalem artichokes (9€) is a real favorite, with its swoon-worthy sweetness and lightness, underlined by a siphon of fromage frais, while the grilled corn, hidden in the cream, lends a chewy texture to the whole. Quick chef, here's the recipe so you can reproduce it at home this winter!
Then it's on to the finest meats, with beef picanha (29€), carefully roasted on the outside and devilishly melt-in-your-mouth, served with home fries and a tomato, onion, tarragon, coriander, olive oil and sweet pepper condiment - this is pure tradition.
On the other hand, the Iberian pork (22€), a generous piece of quality pork, whose meat, confit with great care, and fat, seared and crispy as a gratton, slides right down our gullets. To add lightness to the dish, this beautiful beast is served with a cauliflower salad with old wine vinegar, roasted Brazil nuts and fine herbs.
Before indulging in a carefully-dressed Brazilian flan (9€), we toast with Pitanga's many cocktails with South American accents, passion fruit or matcha caipirinha (11€), cachaça-based cocktails (11€), or Moscow, Rio and London mule (10€).
A real morale booster!
Dates and Opening Time
Starts January 3, 2023
Location
Pitanga
11 Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau
75001 Paris 1
Access
Louvre-Rivoli Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre
Official website
pitanga-paris.com
