I really like the Philharmonie de Paris, firstly because it is a concert hall with incredible acoustics, but also because the venue offers high-quality exhibitions.
It was actually after visiting the one about Barbara (which ends on January 28, 2018, for those interested!) that we went to have dinner with the favorite photographer at the restaurant Le Balcon, which is located at the very top of this cultural landmark in the east of Paris.
The setting is obviously sublime with a magnificent panoramic view over the west of Paris, and it’s the perfect spot for a gourmet break and/or a drink, whether before or after a concert/exhibition, or while wandering around the neighborhood.
The recent arrival of the new chef with Réunionese roots, Giovanni Laude, at the helm of Le Balcon’s kitchen is good news and signals a renewal for the Philharmonie de Paris restaurant.
On the menu is a new, very concise bistro menu, highlighting fresh seasonal products and traditional French dishes, all in a trendy and relaxed atmosphere (special mention for the camouflage-patterned armchairs that gave us a good laugh…).
The menu offers new recipes approximately every month and a half, and the restaurant offers a “chef’s suggestion” every day.
To taste:
- The house cocktails (approx. €15), which are prepared with great care and talent by the restaurant’s head bartender. For enthusiasts, the bird’s eye chili one (below on the right) is really very, very spicy…
- The pumpkin velouté with mascarpone cream, herbs, and walnuts (€9), a winter starter to warm up.
- The beef cheek casserole Burgundy-style with carrots, turnips, potatoes, and rutabaga (€22) for those nostalgic for this type of old-fashioned dish.
- The fish of the day (the chef’s suggestion), which was monkfish cheek (yes, that was the theme of the evening) with poivrade artichokes, gnocchi, and a herb butter emulsion (€26). It was delicious!
- The scallops with a chorizo-parmesan crust and marjoram, with Jerusalem artichoke purée (€25). Be careful, in the photo, it was just a small portion so we could test it, but that’s not the quantity served as a normal main dish!
- For dessert, I recommend the lemon-mandarin religious pastry (€12) or the chocolate cream (milk and dark) with black sesame feuillantine and Sichuan pepper ice cream (€10).
The little extra: a lovely selection of wines by the glass, you just need to trust the sommelier!
Thanks to Le Balcon restaurant for this invitation.
Le Balcon Restaurant Philharmonie 1, La Villette, 6th floor 221 Avenue Jean Jaurès, 75019 Paris open in the evening only from 6:30 PM, Tuesday to Saturday (+ certain concert evenings on Mondays)
Find all my restaurant reviews in Paris below:
⇒ All my restaurant reviews in Paris
MAP OF MY GOOD FOOD SPOTS IN PARIS AND THE ILE-DE-FRANCE REGION
Restaurant 
Bar 
Pastry Shop / Bakery 
Tea Room / Coffee Shop
Brunch 
Ice Cream Parlor
Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez Photos are not royalty-free, photographer's permission is mandatory before any use
