Le Petit Trianon, Nicolas Masse & Constant’s Le Bibent, Toulouse Buzz

13 June 2011 by Margaret Kemp    1179  
Le Petit Trianon, Nicolas Masse & Constant’s Le Bibent, Toulouse Buzz
Margaret Kemp
By Margaret Kemp
Vuitton, Dior, Gaultier, YSL and various must-have brands have recently shown collections in the amazing space that is Le Trianon Theatre, Montmartre. The multi-story building, by architects Joseph Cassien-Bernard and Gaston Cousin, dates back to 1896 when it was one of the bo-ho hot spots of Montmartre where the likes of Toulouse Lautrec, Scott Fitzgerald, Salvador Dali, Coco Chanel and Mistinguett were regulars. Today the handsome building has been reborn after vast renovations. No expense has been spared to make it look as if there’s been no expense at all, read: designer shabby chic. Kate Moss loves it. On the ground floor Trianon Café looks set to become an “oh, darling you must go” addy. The upper floors are a vast bar with incredible original décor and the theatre where, say, DJ Shadow puts on thumping light and sound shows. Check out the program but note: Fat Freddy’s Drop is sold out! The Trianon Café concept is by Abel Nahmias, son of super-chef Olympe Versini and uber-gastronome Albert N. A successful film producer (Cinéman, Blood: The Last Vampire, etc.), the boy Abel says he always steered away from matters culinary because he was raised in restaurants, but when he saw Le Trianon, he realised the terrific potential of the location. “Montmartre is the second most visited destination in Paris, after Notre Dame,” he explains. So, with a little help from his friend Julien Labrousse of Hôtel du Nord, mum’s recipes and Linda, a talented chef, trained by mum, they’ve been packing them in since May. What Shall We Eat? Just pop in for Sex on the Beach (a cocktail, darling), beer, glass of wine, Martini Moment, Tartines and Clubs made with delicious bread by award-winning baker Arnaud Delmontel or go for the full monty. Artichoke Vinaigrette, L’Oeuf Mayo, Salade Trianon (for the ladies who do), Assiette de légumes verts, sauce verte. Drink a brave little Agentinian Chardonnay, Bodega Fontelli (19€), or a Côtes du Rhône Quatre Filles 2010 (25€). Nice with a hamburger or tartare, purée. Cabillaud grillé, naked, sauce virgin olive oil, vinegar and capers served on the side, as we like it. Classic desserts include Oeuf à la Neige, Crème Brûlée citronnée, riz au lait and outsize red fruit tarts. Read: delicious address your bank manager/husband/lover will adore. Don’t hesitate. Le Petit Trianon Tél: 01 44 92 78 08 80, boulevard Rochechouart, Paris 18th Métro: Anvers Open 7/7 Lunch – 13.50€ Dinner Meal Deal from 19h-21h 16€ A La Carte 25-45€ Breakfast 7.80€ Terrace at Trianon Café New book by Nicolas Masse Normandy-born Nicolas Masse is a talented chef. He strutted his stuff at The Landmark, London, Villa Belrose on the Riviera and, for seven years, at the magnificent Grand Hotel Loréamar, Saint-Jean-de-Luz where he really developed his own style and, in 2007, won a Michelin star (he’s worth more). In 2009 Masse took over the pianos of the Grand Vigne gourmet restaurant at Les Sources de Caudalie, located in the vineyards of Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte, Bordeaux. Masse’s mission statement is, “Tomorrow begins today.” In his just-published coffee table tome, Retour aux Sources, he describes his creative path from a Cherbourg childhood until today, and it’s available in English! Magnificent illustrations are by photographer Matthieu Cellard, the recipes clearly explained and wine pairings suggested. Masse says that being immersed in the world of winemaking obviously influences his inspiration today. “I don’t use wine much as an ingredient, apart from a few marinades,” he admits. “I make one type of bread with dark grape juice, but that’s about it. It’s more the region as a whole that influences me, particularly the new produce it offers. I discovered the Blonde d’Aquitaine breed of cattle here, which I serve as a carpaccio with local caviar,” he explains. Bordeaux’s very unique surf ‘n’ turf then. Treat yourself to this book, because you’re worth it. Masse will have 3 stars one day; then you can say, “I knew him when.” Retour aux Sources : La cuisine de Nicolas Masse aux Sources de Caudalie Glénat – 39€ www.glenat.com Le Bibent in Toulouse by Christian Constant Christian Constant is proud of his southwestern roots in Montauban, and he long wanted to open down there. This week he did just that. Le Bibent (good food, in southwestern patois) was once the meeting place for le tout Toulouse, read Café Flore, Toulouse style. The original, created 150 years ago, was the first French café to serve bière à la pression (draft beer). Why have you added Le Bibent to your portfolio, Christian? This is a listed monument since 1975, shut since 2009. Each time I passed by I thought I would love to wake the Sleeping Beauty and create a magical place for the locals. I worked with Thierry Holdak and it took nearly a year and 1.6 million euros to complete! It’s very exciting for me—after 30 years in Paris, I’m returning to my roots. How big is the space? 80 in the brasserie, 40 on the terrace and 20 in the private basement. We’re open all day, every day, and until midnight when there’s a performance at the Opera House. What’s cooking and who’s cooking it? Simple local dishes, using the best possible market-fresh products. Chef Christian Marque is from Tarbes, near the Spanish border, so there will be crème de haricots tarbais glacée au caillé de brebis (10€) and Le Cassoulet de Montauban, just as Mamie Constant makes it (25€). We’re also using mum’s recipes for Oeufs Mimosa. And they’ll be a nod and a wink to my signature Paris dishes. What will be the average price? About 30€ at lunch, more at…
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By Margaret Kemp

Born in Hampton, Middlesex, UK, Margaret Kemp is a lifestyle journalist, based between London, Paris and the world. Intensive cookery courses at The Cordon Bleu, London, a wedding gift from a very astute ex-husband, gave her the base that would take her travelling (leaving the astute one behind) in search of rare food and wine experiences, such as the vineyards of Thailand, 'gator hunting in South Florida, learning to make eye-watering spicy food in Kerala;pasta making in a tiny Tuscany trattoria. She has contributed to The Guardian, The Financial Times Weekend and FT. How To Spend It.com, The Spectator, Condé Nast Traveller, Food & Travel, and Luxos Magazine. She also advises as consultant to luxury hotels and restaurants. Over the years, Kemp has amassed a faithful following on BonjourParis. If she were a dish she'd be Alain Passard's Millefeuille “Caprice d'Enfant”, as a painting: Manet’s Dejeuner sur l’herbe !