An escape to Paris. An invitation. An unusual rendezvous..
What a surprise when we found ourselves at the Place de l'Eglise in Saint-Germain-des-Près, boarding a crazy bus that would take us on a tour of Paris and, above all, transport us to an unforgettable gastronomic experience.
So here we are on the bus (no Navigo pass required). An entrance and a welcome that promise to make us forget life's little worries, with a subdued atmosphere and a quick look at the kitchen on our left. We're offered our coats (yes, there's also a checkroom and the staff are there to take care of you) and invited upstairs. First impressions: we're already under the spell of this superb idea for an itinerant Parisian bistro founded in 2018 by Vincent Durand and his wife with a first bus offering a Champs-Élysées route. But today, another bus has been set up, the Saint-Germain 1920 in which we take our seats.
By the time we reach the first floor, we've already forgotten that we're in a bus that has been subtly and tastefully refurbished in the spirit of art deco. We're seated at our chic yet relaxed table, and discover audio-video guide tablets in 6 languages that will help us rediscover Paris, but this time from a height of 4 meters and 360 degrees thanks to the panoramic glass roof. And off we go for a two-hour ride. We forget the traffic jams and the hustle and bustle of the city, and play the curious by catching glimpses of silhouettes on the second floor of Haussmann buildings. You can marvel at the city's architecture and lights while savoring the restaurant's delicious dishes.
Because the surprise is also on the plate: a French cuisine elaborated and revisited by a refined chef with wines selected from the best wine-growing regions.
That evening, a 5-step menu awaited us (3 options: simple menu at €110, or €130 with 2 glasses of wine, or €160 with champagne and four wines). We start our unusual dinner with a Gaspacho of peas with mint and sherry vinegar, strawberry mirepoix, followed by a Tartar of Daurade Royale with mango and coriander, passion fruit vinaigrette, then a Breast of farmhouse guinea fowl from Normandy and its thyme-scented jus, accompanied by a mousseline of yellow carrots and spring vegetables.
It's hard to believe we're on a bus, too!
Once we've arrived at the assortment of cheeses from La Fromagerie de Paris by Éric Lefebvre, Meilleur Ouvrier de France, including a delicious truffle Camembert, it's time for a break at the Eiffel Tower. The appointment seems to have been made, as we arrive at the moment of the illuminations.
With our hearts full of emotion - for it's always that Paris by Night effect - we eagerly head back upstairs to savor Mathieu Mandard's dessert (Champion de France des Desserts in 2004) with a lemon cookie, lemon and mint apple compote, lemon mousse and raspberry glaze.
Our roving restaurant gradually takes us back to the Place de l'Église in Saint-Germain-des-Près. We'd forgotten we were on a bus, so smooth was the ride.
If you'd like to surprise a loved one, revisit Paris in an unusual way, privatize the bus for a special event, invite a client, or make a Christmas present, here's the perfect idea for an out-of-the-ordinary gastronomic experience in our beautiful capital!
