Le Marguerite 1606, Issy-les-Moulineaux's nugget restaurant in a historic setting

We're off to discover Marguerite 1606, the restaurant of the Domaine Reine Margot, located on the outskirts of Paris just past the Porte de Versailles. Chef Jean-Philippe Perol's cuisine is open to all, whether you're a resident of the hotel or from out of town, and brings the garden to your plate.

This historic site, once home to Marguerite de Valois (daughter of King Henri II and Catherine de Médicis), has been transformed into a luxurious five-star hotel by Jean-Michel Wilmotte, in keeping with its rich past and Monuments Historiques standards. The renovation incorporates modern elements while preserving the original spirit, notably in the desacralized chapel, now a rum-tasting area. The restaurant is located in the old historic building, in continuity with the chapel. It's a lovely marriage of the old and the new, under a glass roof bathed in light during the day and open to the starry sky in the evening.

At an angle, the restaurant reveals numerous tables overlooking alcoves, revealing the chefs and commis at work. The restaurant showcases orchard produce and plant-based recipes, a cuisine that is respectful of the environment and close to nature, while offering generous, tasty dishes. Chef Jean-Philippe Perol, with his creative approach, revisits the traditional Bouchée à la Reine to create a signature dish we love, the Bouchées Marguerite. A perfect puff pastry without being too imposing, and a minute garnish to keep the whole thing from getting soggy, that's what makes these mouthfuls such a success. For our part, we fell for the divinely cooked version with lobster, razor clams and fennel.

The menu changes with the seasons, offering fresh, vegetarian dishes from breakfast to dinner. Discoveries include theorganic fried egg in a runny-core cereal crust with mashed Jerusalem artichokes, flame-cooked mackerel with grilled avocado and sorrel sauce, and butternut pearl barley risotto, all prepared with care.

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On the main course, we loved the perfectly cookedveal loin, so tender you'd want to roll around on the floor. Accompanied by roasted parsnips and fried Brussels sprouts, it's a no-brainer.

For dessert, if the Paris-Brest turns out to be a little too dense for us, the Honey Gavotte wins our votes. With its honey ice cream, farmer's milk mousse and caramelized bananas, it can be gobbled up without batting an eyelid.

On sunny days, the huge terrace is dressed up to our delight. It's the perfect place to enjoy a good meal and bask in the sun.

Beyond its cuisine, Marguerite 1606 is a place steeped in history, inspired by Marguerite de Valois, the famous Reine Margot. Come and enjoy a timeless interlude, recharge your batteries, stroll the grounds and admire the Eiffel Tower from this vantage point overlooking Paris. Ask for a tour of the chapel, now transformed into a speakeasy- it's well worth the detour - or, better still, reserve a drink before or after your meal.

Whether for a family meal, a business meeting or an evening with friends, this is a lovely nugget to discover in Issy-les-Moulineaux. In fine weather, a very large terrace lets you admire the garden view even more. Last but not least, Marguerite 1606 offers a generous brunch every Sunday, ideal for discerning gourmets.

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