All-you-can-eat healthy brunch at Hotel Grand Powers in Paris

Gourmet alert! Every Sunday,Hôtel Grand Powers in Paris's 8th arrondissement awaits you for a brunch you won't soon forget! Oysters galore, homemade desserts and a quinoa poke bowl are sure to delight the capital's gourmets.

For this healthy, ultra gourmet brunch, head for Café 52, located at the entrance to this hotel. In an elegant setting where Belle Époque meets Art Deco, all in a home-like atmosphere, we're warmly welcomed by a smiling team before settling in. We're already won over by the friendly spirit. Now it's time to discover what Café 52 has in store for us in terms of flavours.

We head for the all-you-can-eat buffet in an adjacent room. And it's a real gourmet's paradise. From land to sea, from sweet to savory, there's something here for everyone.

For lovers of maritime flavors, there are Norman oysters, whelks cooked to perfection, first-fresh shrimps, tarama with wasabi, truffle or sea urchin, and slices of salmon whose shiny, pearly appearance testifies to its fine quality. We later learn that the salmon comes from the same supplier as the Queen of England. Just the thing for a royal feast.

Carnivores are not left out, with charcuterie (Jambon blanc, jambon de Bayonne and chorizo) and a quiche lorraine to die for. On the veggie side, you'll love the crudités and fruit, as well as the creamy hummus and eggplant caviar.

There's also a fine selection of cheeses, including an excellent raw-milk Camembert and a very floral Comté, which can be accompanied by bread and jams for sweet-and-sour connoisseurs. Those with gluten intolerance will be delighted to learn that there's also a selection of gluten-free products, including a muesli that's sprinkled over a very good yoghurt. A few dried fruits, a hint of honey, and you're in for a treat!

But what about eggs? This brunch staple also has its place at Grand Powers. Here, they're served by the plate, and that's great news, because you can ask for them just the way you like them. Hard-boiled or fried, scrambled or ometized, served with herbs, ham or cheese, it's up to you.

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In addition to an all-you-can-eat buffet worthy of the name, there's also a choice of three signature dishes. There's a poke-bowl prepared according to a recipe by the hotel's owner, featuring quinoa, mango, red tuna and avocado, sprinkled with sesame and pomegranate - in short, flavors to match the fine weather.

Lovers of toast will be seduced by smorrebrod, a Danish specialty consisting of a large slice of rye bread spread with guacamole, on top of which is a bed of sliced avocado and salmon, with a touch of pomegranate for a nice touch of pep.

You can also be tempted by the dish of the day. On the day of our tasting, it was an ultra-melting octopus served on this famous eggplant caviar and accompanied by cherry tomatoes. Enough to transport us to the seaside.

And for those with a sweet tooth, the hotel reveals a host of delicacies that take us back to our tenderest years. Marble cake, macaroons, Gilles Marchal strawberry tart, as well as apple and rhubarb tarts that could well dethrone grandma's recipes, there's a Proust's madeleine for everyone.

To accompany all this, you can opt for a Mariage Frères tea, a good cup of coffee just the way you like it, a freshly squeezed fruit juice (orange, grapefruit or lemon) and a glass of champagne. If you prefer, you can also indulge in a cocktail (extra charge 17€), or à la carte desserts (extra charge 10€): pancakes with maple syrup, artisanal ice creams and French toast.

We came away more than satisfied. It has to be said that this brunch ticks all the authenticity boxes, with the added bonus of excellent value for money (not forgetting, of course, the quantity). No gourmet aspect was overlooked, and the warm ambience made us feel right at home. All in all, a favorite address for Sunday bruncheurs!

Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health - consume in moderation!

Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.