There are people like that who manage to capture the spirit of the times, delivering never-before-seen concepts with disconcerting ease. Thus, we were unaware that we needed a hybrid place to sit between trying on cutting-edge designer pieces before descending to admire crazy works of an up-and-coming artist. Welcome to Halo, a restaurant/boutique/cocktail bar/exhibition space in Sentier that manages the feat of ticking all the boxes of cool.
INSTA-FRIENDLY DECOR, PRECISE CURATION
At the helm of Halo, are two guys comfortable in their own shoes. On one side, Victor the Basque. On the other, Mathieu the Marseillais. Together, the smartest entrepreneurs of the moment have imagined their dream place in a former garment workshop offering an extraordinary glass roof above the dining area. Lucie Rosenblatt signs a stunning decor, all mirrors and green carpet, inspired by the headquarters of the PCF designed by Oscar Niemeyer. Starting with the boutique (this is where you enter), the two partners invite rotating designers embracing their particularly sharp universe. Right now, for example, we discover the Basque leather jackets from Atxi (a leather supplier for Hermès, expect between €1,200 and €1,800 for navy blue and cream jackets) but also vintage treasures from the 80s to 2000s unearthed by Bygone Days: La Perla dress (€420), Roberto Cavalli snake-effect trousers (€384)... Those on smaller budgets will turn to Terra Goya ceramics including beautiful vases and bowls (between €18 and €48) or to the niche perfumes from Notes de Bas de Paje (€195).
BALANCING IN THE KITCHEN
He had blue hair when we visited, and it suited him well! Spotted on Top Chef, Victor Blanchet maneuvers in the kitchen with the utmost calm, supported by a troupe of cooks as stylish as him, rolling out ultra-colorful southern dishes that, like the rest of the establishment, cater to current desires.
For lunch (à la carte or set menu starter main dessert €34), we enjoy the magnificent light to savor grilled sardines, maquis herb mayo, potato and everlasting gnocchi on a creamy Jerusalem artichoke, txistorra ravioli and fresh cheese (€16), a sublime plate of seasonal vegetables with blonde grape sauce and almond milk (€25) or a red mullet with rouille sauce and bouillabaisse juice to die for (€30). Leave room for the crispy almond hazelnut dessert, whipped cream and chestnut ice cream, a little caress (€13).
ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE BASEMENT, FASHION HQ
Since the last fashion week, fashion dinners have been taking place at the private table (with a cocktail bar!) tucked away in the basement, where a play of light gives the impression of a sunset. The curious are invited to descend to admire Bains de Mars, the current exhibition expressly imagined for the place by designer Axel Chay, whose collection for Monoprix we already loved. A must-see!
Open from Thursday to Saturday lunch and dinner, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday only in the evening. Closed on Mondays.
Also discover where to dine before or after a show in Paris and the new canteens for a quick lunch.
