The Folie-Méricourt district continues to grow in popularity among Parisian gourmets. And with good reason, new (and good) restaurants are legion, from bistronomy(Le Rigodon) to gastronomy(Amâlia), international cuisine(Trâm 130) and street-food(Oté).
Since the end of July, this lively district of the 11th arrondissement has been home to Seeklo, an Indian restaurant that showcases the art of wood-fired grilling and flame-cooking, a technique used in every region of India and testimony to a rich ancestral heritage.
Far from simply reproducing recipes that have proven their worth, Seeklo offers a contemporary vision of authentic Indian recipes, reinterpreted with modernity, finesse and singularity in a refined setting, also far from clichés, designed by the Mur.Mur studio. From the long, mirrored counter, over the glowing embers, scents and flavors from the four corners of India tantalize the nostrils.
We're telling you right now: we loved Seeklo. We loved Seeklo for its New York-style lounge atmosphere, its attentive staff (English speakers be warned: service can be provided entirely in English), and the wonders - both solid and liquid - that we ate with glee.
Unlike some Indian restaurants in Paris, where - sometimes - the various dishes are based on a similar spicy and condiment base, each of Seeklo 's sharing plates has its own singularity, easily differentiated from its peers... in an explosive way!
Several of our favorites during our visit: the fried fish bites with thyme and garlic (9€) and their melt-in-the-mouth fritters; the burnt broccolini dipped in a cardamom sauce (12€), the masala scrambled eggs (11€) topped with spring onion pickles, and of course the brochettes, the Maison's signature dish.
On one side of the ring, chicken tikka skewers dipped in a tomato butter sauce (12€), on the other, shrimp skewers (13€) spiced up with garlic curry leaves and sweetened with a coconut emulsion. It's a close match, and we're happy to give them both an ex-aequo victory! With each plate featuring a sauce/cream/condiment, it's a good idea to opt for a cheese naan (4.5€) to get every last drop.
Seeklo's other counterpart, on a par with theart of the grill, is the art of mixology. Here, too, Seeklo focuses on the homemade, making its own syrups, shrubs and bitters - a very good point. The menu is extremely didactic, detailing the degree of alcohol, the size(short or long drink), the profile (from light to strong) as well as the ingredients and notes to guide even the most novice.
We were tempted by the Himalayan G & Tea cocktail (gin, Himalayan tea, sherry; 11€) and the Bhodrolok Hi Ball cocktail (vodka, house sweet and sour lime syrup, lime acid, lime tincture, jasmine soda ; 11€), undeniably original, as well as the Karikal Express (vodka, coffee liqueur, vanilla, espresso, homemade chocolate bitter; 8€), a kind of Espresso Martini twisted Seeklo-style, on the team's good advice.
A final savory beverage, ideal to accompany the plump, moist date molasses cake with scoop of vanilla ice cream (€8).
As far as we're concerned, it's a no-brainer.
Location
SEEKLO Indian Grill Bar
96 Rue Oberkampf
75011 Paris 11
Official website
seeklo.bar
