Pamela Popo, chic brasserie with refined menu in the Marais district

A discreet address in the Marais district, right in the heart of Paris, no sooner have you walked through the door than Pamela Popo's ambiance calls for comfort, reunion and a moment suspended in time in this restaurant, which also doubles as a cocktail bar. At the helm are Carl and Benjamin, two former hotel professionals who decided to take over the restaurant in 2017.

Once the place to meet up with friends, the duo have turned it into a more refined address, a retro-chic brasserie where you can enjoy a drink or a 5* dinner. Named in reference to Serge Gainsbourg, the Pamela Popo has changed ownership, but kept its name: in fact, all cocktails are named in reference to the artist's songs.

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The menu is short and to the point, reflecting the work done with the seasons: the great classics such as the excellent escargots à la Provençale, olive oil and basil, the foie gras served as a starter, the ceviche-style sea bass tiradito... are no longer in evidence. The menu does, however, undergo a few minor changes, depending on seasonal produce. As the festive season approaches, scallops take pride of place, and fish, fruit and vegetables also change according to the season...

For the main course, meat lovers will be delighted, with three beef recipes (bourguignon, again a great classic on the menu, onglet accompanied by a thick black garlic sauce, or côte de bœuf, a must). Vegetarian options are also available, with generous gnocchi with pesto, served under a mountain of grated parmesan. For each dish, starter or dessert, you can have it accompanied by a glass of wine suggested by Benjamin or Karl, who will be happy to recommend a bottle from the restaurant's wine cellar.

"We try to stand out from the crowd with good products," explains Benjamin, who explains the origin of the beef - Angus only, raised and fed in Scotland - the choice of free-range duck and not to source from intensive farming areas, and the wild-caught fish... As for desserts, the menu remains very French, with everything from strawberry pavlova and vanilla crème brûlée to chocolate mousse and the decadent Paris-Brest, revisited by the chef!

Expect to pay €12 to €24 for a starter, €24 to €35 for a main course and €12 to €15 for desserts. For a special occasion, a reunion dinner or a drink for two, we can't recommend this address enough: the quality of the products, the right combinations, the creativity of the menu and the fast service make it a must for lovers of good brasseries in the Marais.