The Best Food, All Made In France
- 44 Rue de la Folie Méricourt ,
- 75011 Paris
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Located in the trendy 11th Arrondissement, FIEF is fast becoming a must-try address in the eclectic food scene of Paris. Established under the helm of Victor Mercier, who was also a Top Chef France 2018 finalist, FIEF stands for “Fait Ici En France.” This translates in English to “Made here in France,” and the restaurant combines the best of two worlds: effortlessly blending the finesse of fine French dining, with an approach to food that is global and boundary pushing. It came as no surprise that the restaurant got awarded its very well-deserved first Michelin star earlier this year.
As the name encapsulates, FIEF’s founding idea is to create gourmet dishes with products which are sourced from within France. The restaurant has managed to transform this seeming limitation into a sublime gastronomic experience. This has been accomplished by introducing classic French products with unexpected twist or re-introducing French ingredients that are substituted in most restaurants by imported products, in a fresh way. You can expect to eat dishes such as trout eggs with black shallot paste or pigeon with young carrot kimchi.
After being impressed with the level of food at several à la carte dinners, my husband and I were convinced to try their Dégustation menu at the guest counter, which in itself is a unique and modern addition. A seat at the guest counter (by reservation only) enables you to enjoy a ten-course menu, with the dishes being prepared right in front of you. Some of the dishes we tried included a delicious hummus, caviar from Neuvic, perfectly cooked fish and duck, prepared right in front of us and some very quaintly presented amuse-bouches.
The desserts were created from ingredients such as champagne, elderberry, and clovers instead of vanilla or chocolates, which are not used here since they are imported in France.
Being at the FIEF guest counter was a remarkable experience, both in terms of the novelty of the flavor combinations we were introduced to, but also the overall hospitality of the restaurant. It was a pleasure to watch Chef Victor Mercier and his team make our food with all the artistic flair and expertise that such a high level of service entails. They took the time to explain the dishes and the methods of cooking employed, including exactly where the food we ate came from. They also amended some of their recipes for my husband, who doesn’t eat seafood.
In FIEF, the cherry on top of everything has to be their inhouse mixologist who creates his own original concoctions. Like any great French restaurant worth its salt, they also have an extensive and curated wine list. With the Grand Tasting Menu at 150€ (excluding drinks) and a typical main dish being anywhere around 30-35€, FIEF is by no means a cheap restaurant but with the originality of their recipes and the refinement of their presentation, you get way more than your money’s worth. It’s definitely a place to check out for its stellar gourmet food and casual-chic vibe.
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