Blooma, the bar-restaurant with creative dishes in a bucolic atmosphere in Fontenay-sous-Bois (94)

It's a rather hidden spot in a bucolic setting. Blooma is a surprising bar-restaurant flourishing in the inner suburbs of Fontenay-sous-Bois, in the Val de Marne. To discover this urban oasis, head to the Mercure, just a stone's throw from the Val de Fontenay RER station. Behind the modern façade lies a warm cocoon that contrasts with the hotel's architecture. Cross the reception area and you'll immediately see an avenue of planted arches leading to Blooma.

Here, we find a trendy setting that, despite being indoors, manages to reproduce a rather bucolic atmosphere, notably through a play of mirrors that remind us of elegant glass roofs, while comfortable velvet banquettes and seats in powdery tones add that cocooning touch.

In this sort of gourmet secret garden, you can't expect anything classic. Here, we are presented with seasonal cuisine that, while respecting the natural flavors of the produce, reveals surprising twists offered for good value.

One example is the matcha tea pea cappuccino, a starter that sets the tone: this trompe-l'oeil lets us try a surprisingly creamy matching of two mousses, which should please aficionados of the famous green tea. On the other hand, if bitterness isn't your cup of tea, we'd recommend turning to the vegetable pressé with mozzarella. Here, you'll savor 50 nuances of vegetables through thin layers of richly flavored tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant and peppers, topped with the famous Italian cheese. To accompany your tasting experience, a colorful cocktail menu awaits you, with the added bonus of being able to try a made-to-measure creation!

• To be read
• Tips for the week of November 18 to 24, 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

If you're in the mood for a comforting dish, the herb-crusted rack of lamb with sage might just be what you're looking for, with a well-mastered pinkish cooking to give it both a melting and juicy side, while a sage sauce reinforces this immersion in the urban oasis, linking the setting to the plate. If you're more of a seafaring type, we invite you to try a delicious combination of land and sea with our fresh, meaty shrimp risotto. Here too, the dish is smooth and creamy, with a bell pepper sauce topped with shavings of Parmesan cheese. To round things off, we add a touch of crunch and sweet-savory bell pepper drops!

Which brings us to the desserts. Here, too, creativity is the order of the day, and sweet tooths looking for something a little off the beaten track won't be disappointed. Chocoholics, for example, will discover a finger chocolate infused with red Kamput pepper, which manages to offer powerful cocoa notes that will delight purists, without overpowering the spice that also perfumes the chantilly.

Our favorite, however, is the Cactus, a refreshingly fruity creation composed of a prickly pear cream, a vanilla and soursop cream (an exotic fruit), and a cactus and lime sorbet. There are some desserts that are "simply" very good when you eat them, and this is one of those sweets that will leave you with lasting memories!

And if you'd like to enjoy with the whole family, a children's menu is available for €12. Blooma also offers value-for-money formulas, particularly for dinner, with a starter/main course or main course/dessert menu at 25.5€ and a complete starter/main course/dessert menu for 31.5€.