Restaurant Review: Le Perchoir in Paris

Located in an industrial building on a small, unassuming street in the 11th, off the beaten track Le Perchoir is a hit among Parisians thanks to its rooftop terrace. With a cozy bar & lounge area overlooking the city’s quintessential rooftops and Montmartre in the distance (it’s not your classic Eiffel Tower view, which makes it all the more noteworthy), this hotspot opened in summer of 2013 and has been a local favourite ever since. If you live in Paris, you know the city lacks fabulous elevated patios – so be sure to get here early!

I visit on a cloudy evening in early fall. We have reservations to the restaurant downstairs down and decide to climb to the seventh floor to have a drink before dinner. At the bar, we ask for a recommendation or signature cocktail and the bartender whips up a delicious take on what I guess is a Moscow Mule – I see lime and I taste ginger. That’s all I can catch and I don’t mind because it’s really good!

It begins to rain so we finish our cocktail and head downstairs by taking the spiral, metallic staircase for our much-anticipated meal. Keeping with the industrial vibe, the restaurant’s warm interior matches the greeting we get by the hostess. Le Perchoir works like this: There is no menu to choose from – it’s a “carte blanche” concept meaning each dish is a surprise. For €48 per person, the chef prepares a host of dishes that change daily. After asking if we have any allergies or food restrictions, our waitress confirms that the meal will include beef and lots of seasonal vegetables. Fine by me. We’re excited to discover what the chef has in store for us.

Shortly after, the appetizer arrives: Pork rinds (chicharrón) accompanied by a lime wedge and a cream of corn dipping sauce. Needless to say, the meal is already a hit. Next up is a coeur de sucrine salad garnished with parmesan, red onions, and bacon. It’s accompanied by an elaborate verrine comprised of cream of broccoli, asparagus, and radish soup topped with an egg marinated in olive oil and Porto.

For our main dish, a seasoned miso beef is served pink alongside a large bowl of seasonal veggies. The melt in your mouth texture is reminiscent of a beef tataki while the vegetables leave me nostalgic for autumn’s impending arrival. Dessert is light and fruity, which is welcoming after such a hearty dish. Along with a peach purée amuse bouche, we’re served lemon sorbet and a strawberry shortbread tart.

Whether it’s to eat an unexpected meal or to spend the night at one of the city’s hottest rooftop bars, Le Perchoir should definitely be on your Paris bucket list.

Have you been to Le Perchoir in Paris? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below!