We tested Riviera Paris: the terrace restaurant hidden in the gardens of Apicius

In the heart of the lush gardens of the Michelin-starred Parisian restaurant Apicius, lies an oasis of charm and delight: the Riviera Paris terrace. Nestled in the heart of the 8th arrondissement, at 20 Rue d'Artois, this new gastronomic destination is sure to delight those in search of a beautiful, confidential terrace serving fine summer cuisine.

Step through the walls of the entrance to this private mansion, former home of Luc Besson, and on the right you'll discover a new Eden, exotic and elegant. A palpable serenity reigns here , with the gentle sound of the stone fountain, just a few steps from the Champs-Élysées. You're instantly transported away from the hustle and bustle of Paris thanks to the "chill and chic" atmosphere imagined by interior designer Hugo Toro.

Under a shady arbour, you'll discover a number of wrought-iron armchairs, complemented by soft, comfortable orange seats. We love the charm of the Murano glass chandeliers, hammered in ochre tones and adorned with olive leaves. The play on perspective, with cleverly placed mirrors and trellises covered in starry jasmine, transforms this garden into a verdant, romantic paradise.

At dusk, the atmosphere transforms into a soft, joyful garden party, carried by the sound of musicians and the glow of flickering candles. The idea is to take you on a journey through the narrow streets of Portofino, as laughter and the scent of Mediterranean dishes fill the air. This new spot, in association with Laurent de Gourcuff and Paris Society, shares theApicius gardens in a completely autonomous way.

The journey continues on the plate, with Mediterranean-influenced cuisine orchestrated by chef Mathieu Pacaud and his teams.The restaurant's menu offers fresh, light dishes perfectly suited to summer. The kitchen, which opens onto the garden, includes a grill, an open-air plancha and a pizza oven, the latter being skilfully used not only to bake pizzettas, but also to perfect the toppings accompanying meats and generous roasted prawns.

There's a subtle combination of freshness and conviviality, like the watermelon, Greek salad and feta frosted with Hellenic imagination, or the gazpacho, tomato sorbet that offers a superb presentation. Meats such as black pork, harissa verveine, or lamb, chops seared with sariette, and fish such as gambas flambéed in cognac or the classic grilled blue lobster, will delight gourmets' taste buds.

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Everything in this restaurant is synonymous with freshness, precision and subtlety. Whether it's the tranquil ambience of the lush gardens, the inventive dishes that revisit summer classics or the inspired interior architecture. Whether savoring a pizzetta baked in an open-air pizza oven, admiring the carpaccio of heirloom tomatoes on a plate or relaxing under the hammered Murano chandeliers, you're in for a real treat, from the eyes to the taste buds.

During our visit, we loved the rosemary-smoked white tuna rillettes served under a cloche, to share, the artichoke, arugula and stracciatella pizzeta, and the crab in mimosa zucchini. We were seduced by the grilled fish with Riviera condiments and the marinated poultry with lemon confit and parmesan. To end on a sweet note, the strawberry tartelette and two-chocolate mousse with vanilla custard transported us to a world of gourmet delights.

In short, we loved this terrace restaurant with its fresh cuisine in an idyllic setting. Why not take a gourmet break in a garden and travel to the Mediterranean?