A stroll through the Bois de Boulogne, a lake, swans, and in the distance, a stunning chalet covered in blonde wood shingles. A quick boat ride later (so romantic, my dear), and here we are, seated on the most desirable terrace of the moment. It must be said that the Chalet des Îles, a charming gem we owe to the fashionable Empress Eugénie, has just undergone a makeover, with Pierre Chomet in the kitchen and Nicolas Laisné overseeing the decor.
Extend the Vacation Vibe
With this summer's somewhat disappointing weather in Paris, you'll want to seize the next sunny moment to head over to one of the three outdoor spaces at the Chalet des Îles: the main terrace, the rustic garden at the back, or our favorite, the balcony overlooking the lake. Is it raining (again)? No worries, the upstairs dining room offers guests a contemporary and cozy setting, with graphic carpets, a fireplace, wooden ceilings, ivory armchairs, sage green walls, and ochre velvet benches. Simply marvelous! Pierre Chomet, known for his standout appearance on Top Chef and his restaurant Ambos, co-run with his Latin lover Cristina, brings his signature flair to the Chalet des Îles. The menu features hints of his many travels in Asia (Château filet of beef “crying tiger” style, €36; shrimp tartare and pad Thai broth, €17; a divine miso tarte Tatin, €15), but comforting flavors in colorful plates are the main highlight.
Among the new must-try dishes: the green bean salad with aged parmesan crumble and fava beans (€16), tomato and cherry gazpacho with sheep’s cheese and pistachio (€16), and the generous portion of seared sea bream with timut beurre blanc and peas with passion fruit seasoning (€29), or the fresh sautéed gnocchi with zucchini, pistachios, and aged parmesan (€24). The creamy chocolate dessert with buckwheat ice cream is the perfect finale (€15), leaving the elegant West Parisians craving more...
Open Monday to Sunday from 12 PM to 1:30 AM.
© Marie Desprez / Julien de Gasquet
Also, check out a new chic tapas bar in the 16th and the terrace with a view of the Eiffel Tower that’s not to be missed.
