Bar Omi, a hybrid restaurant between an izakaya and a wine bar where you can enjoy exceptional sushi in Paris

Bar Omi is the place where lovers of Japanese cuisine and wine connoisseurs meet. A cross between a wine bar and an izakaya, this restaurant treats us to exceptional sushi and lesser-known specialties. A beautiful, refined establishment near the Tuileries and Place Vendôme in Paris. Reservations are highly recommended.

This discreet address is nestled between the Tuileries Garden and Place Vendôme, in the heart of the Saint-Honoré district in Paris. Its simple, refined façade opens onto an elegant interior, with a long counter around which gourmets gather to watch the meticulous movements of chef Yuji Mikuriya, while guests seeking a more intimate atmosphere settle into comfortable booths.Half wine bar,half izakaya, Bar Omi is the restaurant where wine lovers and fans of Japanese cuisine come together for a gourmet and convivial experience.

This is the little brother of Onii-San and Ojii, two high-end izakayas in the capital. Here, you can enjoy dishes to share or not, and toast with friends or loved ones. Accompany your meal with a glass of wine, a cocktail/mocktail also inspired by Japanese flavors, or sake to fully immerse yourself in the experience. Take your time, because homemade food is prepared with patience and enjoyed calmly: don't go there in a hurry, as it could spoil your experience.

Those who have had the opportunity to visit Japan will find that the cuisine here lives up to their memories. The great specialty is sushi, made to order, by hand, before your eyes and with expert skill by a chef whose concentration seems unshakeable. Here, you can forget about dipping it in soy sauce (unless you really want to): the sushi is already seasoned, according to the rules of the art.

Bar Omi is also the kind of place you need to visit with an open mind and a curious palate. As you might expect, the menu here is mainly raw, which may not be to everyone's taste. However, if you're a fan or decide to take the plunge if you're not used to it, then this restaurant is very likely to leave you with fond memories.

It's important to keep in mind that Bar Omi takes an artisanal approach to Japanese cuisine, which differs from what we know in so-called "Western-style" restaurants. For example, the miso soup here has a spicier taste thanks to shichimi, a spicy blend that will appeal to lovers of hot flavors. It accompanies all dishes, as do the soy-marinated edamame. As for the sushi, as we mentioned above, it is the result of meticulous craftsmanship, which goes hand in hand with high-quality ingredients.

You can opt for the signature platter priced at €37 or €42 depending on the selection, which allows you to sample several varieties across a dozen pieces, including six sushi (red tuna akami, salmon, hamachi, unagi, sea bass & shiso, and toro) and six maki (choice of salmon or toro). Please note that this is quite a large portion for small eaters. If you would prefer a lighter meal, we recommend opting for a sashimi plate instead.

Alternatively, you can opt for à la carte sushi if you want to try different varieties while keeping your appetite and budget under control. Sushi pieces are priced between €6 and €14, with recipes featuring high-quality ingredients. As a side dish, there is a potato salad also seasoned with shichimi (quite spicy) and topped with trout roe.

Whatever you choose, we highly recommend trying the sushi and maki made with toro, from the belly of the bluefin tuna, which is the fattiest part of the fish and is distinguished by its melt-in-the-mouth texture and delicious flavor. If you want to treat yourself, you can opt for the version with caviar for €13, whose salty notes add a little more character. The braised Wagyu sushi, the only meat on the menu, is also worth trying and is the meat equivalent of toro.

For those who are truly adventurous, we also recommend trying Japanese cabbage, which is enjoyed leaf by leaf. You dip the vegetable into different condiments in turn: wasabi mayonnaise, miso-sesame, ume (Japanese plum) and black garlic. As you eat, the naturally sweet taste of the cabbage is revealed more and more through this combination of flavors. While this dish may be quite divisive, for us, it's a success.

Finally, for those with a sweet tooth, be sure to save room for dessert. you'll probably have to share it, especially if you order the generous homemade mochi, which is eaten like a large profiterole: the mochi dough is wrapped around a delicious black sesame ice cream, topped with roasted soy powder and Okinawan sugar. It's a sweet way to end this suspended interlude that we can't wait to experience again!