Elbi, Omar Dhiab's Egyptian bistro and wine bar in Paris' 10th arrondissement

Omar Dhiab, who already delights us with his Michelin-starred restaurant in the 1st arrondissement, has opened Elbi, in place of Sapid, an Egyptian bistro that's sure to wake up your taste buds. This second address, with its emphasis on fine cooking and bottles, is now open for business. We take you on a discovery tour.

Three years after the opening of his Michelin-starred restaurant, Omar Dhiab is back in the spotlight with a new restaurant in Paris called Elbi, a lively and original restaurant located at 54 rue de Paradis in the 10th arrondissement, next door to Chocho (which we also recommend). Between Egyptian influences, bistro-style cuisine and a vast wine cellar, the Parisian chef has created a table in his own image: generous, intuitive and creative.

On arrival, the place draws you in with its contemporary, semi-industrial feel: light-colored walls, raw materials, a large wooden counter and zinc tables and chairs. The kitchen is totally open onto the large counter, giving us a direct view of the brigade's work. The ambience is relaxed but well-cared-for, as if we were dining with friends who like to eat well and drink fine wines. Indeed, the wine list is quickly establishing itself as a mainstay of the place: 650 references, from organic, natural or more conventional winemakers, chosen with the same precision as the cooking in the kitchen.

On the plate, Omar Dhiab structures his menu around five cooking methods, each clearly identified: temperature (37.5°C), steamed, fried, grilled and roasted. This interplay of textures and degrees gives rise to a cuisine of instinct, often inspired by the chef's childhood, with direct nods to his Egyptian origins.

La carte - le Menu :

For starters, the eggplant glazed with pomegranate and herbs is a real delight, with its melt-in-your-mouth sweetness and lively seasoning. Then there's the "Tameya" scotch egg - a falafel version based on broad beans with a runny center, offering a fine balance between crispiness, softness and spice. Then there's the surprisingly fine octopus ravioli, awakened by a "couscous" sauce.

Among the hot dishes, don't miss the grilled half-pigeon, lacquered with an apricot-chili condiment and escorted by fried almonds. We love its pinkish cooking and crispy skin, and the apricot in the sauce is a delight. The hawawshi bread topped with minced meat and tangy vegetables is also a must, crispy-melting and comforting. As a side dish, we highly recommend the rice with vermicelli, golden onions and spring onion: tasty and crispy.

For dessert, we love the kunefe rice pudding, topped with dukkazette caramel, dates and hazelnuts, and crispy kadaïf. We like the generous, balanced mix of textures and flavors, without going too far for the sweet side. Another summer treat: pistachio-praline ice cream, with a twist of coriander seeds, perfect for a fresh, original finish. Real, creamy pistachio with a homemade praline - what more could you ask for?

Elbi turns out to be a great place to enjoy a good meal. The only drawback is that the room is rather noisy, which may disturb some diners. This is an address for people in search of gustatory adventure, couples or groups of friends in a lively, animated atmosphere. In any case, it's the place to come for a relaxed drink, snack or dinner.

Elbi is open Monday to Friday from 6.30pm to midnight, Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 2.30pm and from 7pm to midnight. Dishes cost between €15 and €26 each. We recommend taking several to share for even more discoveries.

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.