Septime Paris is located in the hipster part of Paris. We arrived here on the November 16, 2015, which was 3 days after the Paris attack. I could feel the city was different even though I have never been there.
The most disturbing thing was one of the November 13, 2015 attacks occurred at the north-end corner on the same block of Septime at La Belle Équipe. I didn’t realize it until after dinner when our Uber driver drove pass it. The candles and the people gathered around the area to show their solidarity with the victim. It was a tragic time.
Anyway, Septime Paris has an open kitchen and right next door to its sister restaurant, Climato. Chef Bertrand Grebaut is an Alain Passard trained chef. Alain Passard is one of the classic French chefs in the city and his restaurant Arpege is one of my favorite dining experiences. Therefore, I had very high expectations for Septime Paris . It’s a very casual bistro with quint wooden tables and chairs and without the stuffiness that comes with fine dining. It’s a very relax atmosphere. Here are its awards:
- 1 Michelin star in 2014
- 1 Michelin star in 2015
- #52 on the San Pellegrino 2014 World’s Best Restaurants
- #57 on the San Pellegrino 2015 World’s Best Restaurants
- #50 on the San Pellegrino 2014 World’s Best Restaurants
Now, the food. Septime Paris provides an à la carte menu and a tasting menu. The tasting menu is a fraction of what Arpege, Astrance and L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon cost. However, the level of flavors and presentation wasn’t as high as those restaurants.
- Mushroom Broth – The mushroom broth was very simple and uninspiring. The other vegetables tasted fresh; however it didn’t add to the dish. It seemed like it was added to the dish to fill it out.
Mushroom broth - Chicken – The fully cooked chicken laid in a sauce with pieces of its skin still attached. It was garnish with some greens and a purée. The presentation was decent; however, the dish lacked any depth and came off a bland on my palate.
Chicken
Overall, Septime Paris has garnered a lot of hype within the past few years. I’m not sure if it was an off day or the Paris attacks had an affect on the meal; unfortunately, I found the tasting menu to be underachieving from beginning to end. I really wanted to like Septime Paris , but I didn’t find any of their dishes memorable. However, at the price, it was a reasonable and decent meal.
Check out our other Paris articles here.
- Service - 7/107/10
- Presentation - 6/106/10
- Flavors - 6/106/10
- Decor - 6/106/10
- Ambiance - 7/107/10
Summary
Septime is located in the hipster part of Paris. Chef Bertrand Grebaut is an Alain Passard trained chefand Septime has garnered a lot of hype within the past few years. Unfortunately, I found the tasting menu to be underachieving from beginning to end.
