Situated in an unassuming street between Saint-Michel and Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Le Christine has everything you’d expect from a culinary address: beauty, goodness and taste!
This restaurant, which opened in 2004, has not aged a day. On the contrary, it exudes a feeling of newness and timelessness, thanks to the talent of Chef Mehdi Bencheikh, who offers us inventive, delicate and masterful cuisine, inspired and inspiring by products.
The interior architecture was completely redesigned in 2021, using warm materials such as velvet, in shades of green and ochre, to create a cosy, elegant atmosphere inspired by Mediterranean addresses.
We choose the 5-course Tasting Menu, following the advice of our dining room manager, Thibaut Anger. Before our starters arrive, we bring to our table two pretty pieces of mushroom bread, accompanied by a coffee/mushroom-infused butter. Discreet yet powerful, the combination of coffee and mushroom is a real delight.
Then came the first starters, beetroot, tangy vinaigrette, tarragon sauce, barberry and pine nuts, beautifully composed, full of colour and delicacy, surprising and perfectly mastered seasonings, followed by Corn Espuma, on roasted corn kernels, pumpkin seeds and linseed… A smooth, comforting dish, perfect in grey autumn weather, accompanied by a glass of Sylvaner white wine (Alsace), a successful marriage with the different flavours tasted.
Then we move on to the main courses, Cod from Saint-Guénolé, pike roe, burnt leeks, dashi sauce, kombawa and ponzu gel, a gentle blend of tangy and smoky flavours, a real taste shock when the dashi sauce hits the palate, accompanied by a glass of Monthelys white wine (Languedoc), with its aromas of white fruit, pear and peach, a divine match.
Then, the second course, smoked fillet of poultry, roasted parsnips, mustard gel, honey, lovage oil and supreme sauce, once again, a flawless dish, perfectly mastered cooking, original and balanced combinations. A real treat.
Finally, for dessert, Inaya chocolate truffles, coconut gianduja praline, vanilla mascarpone and coconut ice cream, light and airy, like a caress, the truffles, with their exquisite, pronounced taste, soften on contact with the mascarpone and the freshness of the ice cream. A delicate and tasty dish, a delight.
Here, we are dealing with “intelligent” plates, each ingredient having its place and a primordial role to play in the balance of each dish elaborated by the Chef.
It seemed to us that we were seeing loyal customers who knew the place well, and we quickly realised why.
This fine address could well become the new canteen for everyone who enters.
Mélissa Burckel
Le Christine
1, rue Christine, Paris 6e
France – Paris