Apparently, MBC stands for the chef's three favourite ingredients...mint, basil and coriander. Once I walked in the door, I noticed that it had a contemporary feel, with warm purple walls and Moroccan-style cushions on the two-tone banquettes. It is nice but a bit kitsch for my taste.
Chef Choukroun has two other restaurants in Paris; Angl’Opéra and Mini Palais (I have never been to either). MBC is his latest. Chef Choukroun is know for his eclectic use of spices in his cooking and I imediately noticed that with the amuse bouche. It was an egg plant dip with exotic spices. We dipped the bread sticks into the dip and munched away. The dip had a nice consistency and it did taste very nice.
Since we were not too hungry and we were in a rush to get back to the apartement to finish packing and head to the airport. We decided to take the 19 euro lunch special. A main course and coffee. The main course was stewed lamb with lentils and topped with fresh garden leaves. When the main dish arrived, I was really impressed with the presentation. Full of texture and colour. But the great thing about this dish was that it tasted wonderful. The lamb was cooked perfectly tender; the combination of lamb, lentils and garden leaves were meant for each other. On top of all this; the portion was just right.
The entrance and the bar of the restaurant.
You need to keep your eye open when you look for the restaurant. It has a very simple front entrance.
After lunch, we walked to the apartment. It was just a lovely sunny day that most people were eating out on the terraces of bistros and bars. The cherry blossoms were blooming. What else can we ask for in Paris? Just lovely.
MBC: 4, rue du Débarcadère, 75107 Paris. Tel: 01 45 72 22 55. Métro: Argentine or Porte Maillot. Nearest Vélib stations: 26, rue Saint Ferdinand; 227 Bd Pereire
www.gilleschoukroun.com
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