“Good seed makes a good crop.” This adage is surely the inspiration behind Semilla, which means ‘seed’ in Spanish. Following this philosophy, the chic casual venue serves inventive bistrot cuisine in the heart of Saint Germain.
Planted a few years ago in the fertile soil of busy Saint Germain streets and irrigated by crowds of Left Bank tourists and local gourmets, Semilla has grown into one of the neighborhood’s best bistronomic spots. The owners clearly have a gastronomic green thumb; their other restaurants Fish La Boissonerie, Freddie, and Cosi have been blossoming for years. Semilla is their newest bud to bloom.
The main room, rather large by Paris standards, has a somewhat industrial look with stone walls and exposed bricks, pipes, and beams. The decoration is minimal, consisting of a few vegetables and budded seeds painted directly on the white walls and two bouquets of fresh flowers on the kitchen counter. Like the décor, the staff is discrete, efficient, and professional.
In the open kitchen at the far end of the room, Chef Eric Trochon, Meilleur Ouvrier de France in 2007 is at the commands. He prepares witty, modern, and delightful bistrot dishes, cooking with fresh, locally-grown ingredients from a list of carefully selected suppliers. The short menu changes regularly with seasonal supplies but always proposes traditional product-centered dishes (whiting, cuttlefish, calf sweetbread, ‘perfect’ egg, leg of lamb), all perfectly prepared. To accompany your meal, Semilla also proposes a wide selection of natural wines (in bottles or by the glass).
Bien sûr, as with every good restaurant in a busy area, you’d best make reservations a few days in advance!
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