Brasserie Rosie Lou: when the Basque coast arrives on the Grands Boulevards

For fans of Parisian fine dining, Brasserie Rosie, the first address in the Brasseries à la Mode group, has become a must, thanks to its modern baroque setting, its resolutely kitsch private rooms, and its comforting, homemade dishes offered at affordable prices. This spot, popular with foodisto.a.s, now has a little sister! After Bastille, it's now the turn of the Grands Boulevards to welcome this new generation of Parisian brasseries.

Just a stone's throw from the Grand Rex, Rosie Lou awaits you. This time, it's a surf and seaside atmosphere that awaits Parisians of all ages, as this second address takes us to the Atlantic coastline of the Basque Country. Several atmospheres await us inside: under the luminous glass roof, amidst surfboards and espadrilles, marble and wood tables intermingle to give us that slightly offbeat bistro chic feel.

Then, the ambience changes to offer us a more cosy setting, with beautiful turquoise velvet banquettes, pink walls that remind us of the tones of a twilight on the beach and a more subdued general atmosphere. Finally, as we move deeper into the restaurant, we discover yet another space that takes us into the deep blue... literally! From the beach to the open sea, it feels like a metaphor for the oceanic vibe.

The setting is perfect. But what about the menu? Unsurprisingly, it features Basque specialties, including txistorra (Basque sausage) and stuffed Pintxo de piquillos as starters. It's the latter that we've fallen for to start our tasting. These little sun-drenched peppers have a melting, sweet flesh that blends perfectly with the fresh cheese they're stuffed with, while the iodized notes of the vinegared anchovies add a touch of pep. A light, fresh starter to whet the appetite!

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When it's time for the main course, we keep our sea legs with the catch of the day, a sesame-snacked ton pavé accompanied by a wok of lightly crunchy, richly flavored vegetables, testifying to the quality of the products used in the kitchen. But if your taste buds are more inclined towards earthy flavors, there's no way you can pass up the duck breast, one of the stars of the menu, with its recommended pinkish cooking. This comforting dish is accompanied by a carrot and ginger purée, roasted carrot tops and a honey, ginger and rosemary sauce that adds a gourmet dimension to the meal, to the delight of sweet and savory eaters.

Rosie Lou's signature cocktails are the perfect accompaniment, including the astonishing Visky Saoueur with turmeric syrup and espelette pepper, and the romantic plan coeur with myrtle liqueur, raspberry liqueur and gin.

Finally, for dessert, we tempt you with a blueberry cheesecake, but be careful! Here, the recipe is revisited in Basque style! Here, this flagship cake is made with Basque cheese, offering a creamy texture and less sugar than we might be used to.

Overall, we like the value for money, with starters ranging from €4 to €10 and main courses from €13. As for cocktails, we're equally pleased, with signature cocktails starting at 7€ for a non-alcoholic and going up to 12€. A big plus is the address's location, offering a trendy stopover in a central part of the capital, close to the Grand Rex. Perfect for a stopover before or after a movie!