While the ultimate Carrie remains the bloody one from De Palma, other versions of the character also make their mark. One such example is Carrie Solomon, a traveling chef and author of several best-selling cookbooks. Today, it's in the Montorgueil neighborhood that this American chef has chosen to open her own restaurant, in the City of Light that welcomed her two decades ago.
Humbly named Chez Carrie, as if inviting guests into someone’s home, this first restaurant aims to be a meeting point between California and the Mediterranean — more precisely, Italy. It draws on the creativity of the former and the quality of ingredients from the latter. Deviled eggs here are paired with 'nduja, butternut squash fritters are served with scamorza and aioli, while the Caesar salad features soffritto focaccia croutons generously coated in butter.
A focus on beautiful and high-quality ingredients (organic vegetables from Ferme de l'Envol, sourdough bread from Ten Belles, and sustainably sourced fish and eggs from Terroirs d'Avenir), with a presentation that keeps proteins at the side of the plate and a dedicated effort in the culinary preparation—a true commitment to thoughtful, well-researched cuisine.
Focusing on spices and fermentation—like kimchi, miso, lacto-fermented vegetables, and kombucha—the chef demonstrates impressive creativity while ensuring no one is left behind. Similarly, forget the clichés about healthy Californian cuisine, kale salads with dressing on the side, keto diets, or calorie counting: at Chez Carrie, the priority is flavor and the pleasure of indulgence, generously.
Resulting in that pack a punch with every bite, like the polenta fries (€13) topped with labneh, green harissa, fried rosemary, and fermented jalapeños; or the grilled cheese (€15), crafted with a trio of top-tier cheeses—farmhouse cheddar, taleggio, and scamorza—and served alongside a house-made kimchi that truly elevates the dish.
Even in the more delicate, refined dishes, the American chef’s cuisine hits the mark. Dare to try the brothy beans (€12), featuring al dente chickpeas and tender Sardinian fregola in a citrusy broth flavored with cress pesto, broccoli raab, and pecorino. An unexpected favorite also emerges with the blue Hungarian squash and shiitake polpettes (€20), generously covered in a smoky ricotta sauce, gremolata, and served with fennel and fermented caper leaves. A resounding yes!
During the week, the menu is very affordable (€22 for starter/main)), but come the weekend, especially on Sunday, it transforms into an all-day brunch served from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., whether inside or on the small terrace. The Sunday ritual features pancakes topped with buckwheat, whipped mascarpone, and fig leaf syrup, cinnamon rolls infused with orange and tonka bean, hash browns cooked in langoustine butter with trout eggs, scrambled eggs à la cacio e pepe, or even Turkish toast topped with eggs and spicy labneh. Now that's a brunch that’s hard to resist!
To support her in this new venture, Carrie Solomon has brought on Dawnie Perry, a barista from Los Angeles responsible for the establishment’s drink menu, which features a blend of specialty coffees, homemade kombucha, dawn & dusk bicolore (iced tea and lemonade; €6), and wines curated in collaboration with Jill Cousin, co-founder of the Marseille-based restaurant Provisions.
Chez Carrie is a place led by strong women, from the creative force behind the retro-inspired look of the restaurant, Anna Polonsky. Throughout February and March, Carrie Solomon has chosen to highlight women in the culinary world, hosting a series of events including meet-and-greets, cooking classes, signings, and workshops.
This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.
Location
At Carrie’s place
14 Rue Léopold Bellan
75002 Paris 2
Official website
www.chezcarrie.com
