A popular and renowned address in the 2000s, Kiku is making a comeback in the capital, 15 years after closing its doors. With a change of location of just a few streets, from rue Richer to rue de Montyon, a stone's throw from the Grands Boulevards.
The history of this Japanese restaurant was written by three sisters, one behind the stove, trained by Thierry Marx at Mandarin Oriental and sommelier Philippe Faure Brac, the other two in the dining room. It's the 2.0 version of a cult address in the neighborhood, and it's sure to rekindle the memories of some of Paris's foodistos.
Guests will not be disoriented, as some of the original address's flagship dishes have made a comeback on the menu of this new incarnation. In a simple atmosphere - stone walls, origami hanging here and there - you'll discover this Japanese table , in the manner of the Japanese izakaya, those famous tapas bars where you can drink sake and eat small plates in the evening.
However, it's also worth discovering Kiku nouvelle version, at lunchtime on weekdays, with its affordable lunch menu, served with miso soup and a bowl of rice. Add a dish of the day (18€), organic tofu (14€), free-range chicken (16€) or garlic beef fillet (25€), plus a dessert for the sweet tooth (5€-8€), and you've got your fill for less.
In the evening, the plates twirl around: edamame (5€) in its simplest form, fried soft crab - which lacked a little vigor - and salsa sauce (12€), very fine carpaccio of sea bream with a tangy yuzu miso sauce (16€), marmite brulante à la manière d'une bouillabaisse (22€) with fish, tofu and mushrooms in a spicy broth, fillet of beef with soy sauce and garlic (22€), matcha tiramisu (7€) for a light finish.
It's simple but good, and served with a smile. Just like the old days!
This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please mention it in the comments.
