Lovers of gourmet French food are bound to remember Rech, the famous restaurant on Avenue des Ternes. Its owner, Alain Ducasse, has revived this friendly bistro, reputed for its fish and seafood dishes, in the chic private mansion of the Maison de l’Amérique Latine. The neo-classical dining room opens onto a spectacular private garden. It’s the chic countryside in Paris, far from the traffic jams and pollution, a true Garden of Eden at the heart of the 7th arrondissement where you will savor every moment spent at the table. Alain Ducasse’s touch is evident, from the perfectly timed service to the flawlessly presented plates. In the kitchen, David Vignaud (formerly at the Louis XV in Monaco) has chosen to respect the spirit of the original menu, featuring sea bass confit, fromage frais and watercress, thick cut of line-caught sole browned in butter for two, or flame-broiled mackerel with zucchini and horseradish. The food is delicious, done to perfection, the only reproach perhaps being the rather small portions. Don’t hesitate to try the famous Rech Camembert or yield to the temptation of the XL éclair, the bread pudding with Amélie’s pastis, or the Mister Rech ice cream dessert with hot chocolate sauce. Prix-fixe lunch menu starting at €36. Rech version 2.0 has everything it takes to become a new Left Bank institution.
