Dame Augustine, the delicious and affordable restaurant of Lilian Douchet, Top Chef 2022

Fans and newcomers beware : Top Chef 2022 contestant Lilian Douchet has opened two restaurants, one in Bordeaux and one in Paris. Dame Augustine is the name of this new Parisian restaurant on avenue des Gobelins in the 13th arrondissement.

It's a nice bit of revenge for this chef, whose story moved us. Indeed, if you've been following the 13th season of Top Chef, you'll know that this Beauvais native had to give up his restaurant created during the pandemic. Bad timing for this entrepreneur, who was forced to become manager of a supermarket instead.

Lilian Douchet, who was initially eliminated in episode 9 of Top Chef, only to return like clockwork in episode 10, finally quit the Top Chef adventure in episode 13. However, the story goes on for this talented chef, who has awakened our taste buds throughout the season.

It has to be said that this candidate doesn't come from nowhere. He cut his teeth in Michelin-starred establishments such as Paloma and La Truffière, and worked as sous-chef at the Georges V. It was thanks to his TikTok account under the pseudonym Doudou kitchen, where he shares his know-how and great ideas in the kitchen, that the M6 team noticed him and invited him to take part in the competition .

The restaurant-tea room opens onto two floors with a large terrace at the front and seats around 70. With light colors and wood throughout, the atmosphere is relaxed and modern.

A pretty bar faces us at the entrance, where a dexterous barmaid is on hand to cater to your every whim. Watermelon Sour and Cranberry Mint Mocktail for us.

Gourmet, balanced and natural yet sophisticated, this is how Lilian Douchet sees his Dame Augustine, which embodies the image of his new Parisian address. On the à la carte menu, the emphasis is on French products and local produce. An attractive cellar with marvels from independent winemakers awaits you.

So, to get back to business, what does Dame Augustine have to offer us in Paris? The chef unveils a creative, seasonal menu at affordable prices, whose primary aim is to please. And indeed, it's an affordable bistro dining experience. As the chef tells us, this is not a bistronomic restaurant looking for a star, but a contemporary bistro where people come to eat well and enjoy themselves. Every lunchtime, you can enjoy affordable menus: a €26 starter + main course or main course + dessert, and a €34 starter + main course + dessert.

Dame Augustine's menu and prices :

In the evening, but also at lunchtime, you can opt for the 3-course menu at 46€, which includes a starter, main course and dessert. We set out to discover the delicious Burrata Beetroot in sorbet and julienne, accompanied by a mint/basil pesto and raspberry vinaigrette. Creamy yet tangy, the burrata is a perfect match for the beet, and the pesto brings it all to life. Add the crunch of almonds and you've got yourself a Top Chef.

• To be read
• Tips for the week of November 25 to December 1, 2024 in Paris: free or inexpensive outings
• What to do in Paris and the Paris Region in November 2024? Our tips and ideas for outings
• Where to eat out in Paris? Good addresses, discoveries and favorites by arrondissement

We also enjoy the Tendrement oeuf, a low-temperature egg with smoked haddock on a bed of celery and garnished with crunchy diced Parmesan and tarragon.

We then went for the"Généreusement maigre", a filet of lean fish cooked a la plancha with miso roasted eggplant, eggplant caviar, spinach in hazelnut butter with an emulsion meunière and roasted hazelnuts. A perfectly cooked fish, crunchy, crispy and delicious, a superb discovery that we recommend.

Let yourself be tempted by Steack Aubergine. An ultra-gourmet eggplant in all its forms. Smoky, melt-in-your-mouth, crispy, topped with tzatziki and piperade condiment, we love it.

Finally, we've got the Fruity Unstructured Cheesecake, a lovely duo of fresh strawberries and candied rhubarb, accompanied by strawberry sorbet, cheesecake mousse and Japanese basil.

Or l'Artiste Chocolat divin, which combines an espuma of salted chocolate, warm cake and tonka bean ice cream.

In short, a wonderful discovery that's a must-try. Please note thatthe restaurant is open from 11.30am to 11pm, Tuesday to Sunday. For lunch from 12pm to 2:30pm, to enjoy fresh nectars and other house cocktails, but also sweet treats for snacks from 2:30pm to 7pm, then for dinner from 7pm to 10:15pm, last order. The tooth fairy even tells us that an affordable tea time at €18 is on the drawing board...

Don't forget to book!