In the heart of Saint-Germain des Près, La Méditerranée is a well-known address for politicians, artists and lovers of good food. The place is an institution. An opportunity to discover refined cuisine in an incredible setting.
La Méditerranée is a place that most Parisians don’t think much of, yet it’s a restaurant that’s well worth the detour… Since 1942, La Méditerranée has been a famous landmark of Parisian life, located opposite the Odéon theater, a stone’s throw from the Luxembourg Gardens and the Senate. The restaurant has always attracted artists and intellectuals. In a personalized decor designed by Christian Bérard and Marcel Vertès, famous illustrators.
Established between the Saint Germain-des-Prés district, a mecca for Parisian cultural life, and the Odéon district, the restaurant has been welcoming the greatest personalities in French and international literature, politics, cinema and music for over seventy years. This was also the case on the day of my visit. Two former ministers were having lunch at two tables with a famous actress. A landmark for the area’s major publishing houses, the restaurant hosts the annual Prix Médicis, awarded in its private salons.
The restaurant offers a light, refined menu, prepared using only the freshest ingredients. Fish dishes, caught on the west coast of France, mainly in Vendée, Brittany and Normandy, such as the aïoli de Saint Pierre de petite pêche, scallops and their mustardy celery purée, or oyster shoals will delight the taste buds of seafood lovers. The famous Bouillabaisse and its ephemeral foam revisited by the chef of La Méditerranée.
Scallops and celery purée
The kitchens are run by the talented Denis Rippa, who works the fish with excellence. A La Méditerranée loyalist for the past ten years, he is also the winner of the 58th Prix Prosper Montagné 2008 and a member of the Académie Culinaire de France. A discreet chef with a sharp career path, Denis Rippa worked in the kitchens of L’Ambroisie before joining the Taillevent restaurant team. Every dish he prepares is “homemade”, with products sourced from small-scale producers. Among others, he has forged links with several oyster farmers to ensure the best products (Gillardeau, Papin, Prat-Ar-Coum). For meats, the chef buys from Hugo Desnoyer, a highly reputed traditional Parisian butcher. The à la carte menu includes Foie de veau de lait and filet de Boeuf du Charolais…
Denis Rippa
Jean Cocteau was one of the place’s first and most fervent regulars. His imprint can still be seen today. The eminent filmmaker and cartoonist designed the logo and map. As for the impressive murals that give La Méditerranée its charm, they were created by Christian Bérard and Marcel Vertès. The room is decorated in a classic yet resolutely contemporary style. Warm colors evoke the softness and calm of the southern coastline; a breeze of serenity blows through the veranda, the main dining room and the terrace. Upstairs, the warm and inviting private lounges are perfect for exclusive lunches and dinners.
Starter-main course or main course-dessert : 28€
Starter-main course-dessert : 35€
A la carte” dishes from : 20€ and 33€
The restaurant is open every day from 12:00 to 14:30.
and from 7:30 pm to 11:00 pm.
2, Place de l’Odéon – 75006 Paris
Tel. : 01 43 26 02 30
Subway: Odéon
www.la-mediterranee.com
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