We loved the first Hando on the left bank. So you can imagine our joy at the announcement of a second location on the other side of the Seine! Adrien Albou strikes again, even more beautifully, by setting up an irresistible Japanese counter with chic zen vibes and a menu filled with exquisite Japanese delights just steps away from Place Vendôme. Here’s everything you need to know about this new Hando, an absolute must-visit.
IT'S JAPAN IN PARIS, BABY!
What class, this counter. Designed by architect Isabelle Stanislas, who shared with Adrien Albou the vision of a minimalist yet joyful and colorful space, you’ll find the essentials of Japanese design (concrete-wood-light) extending along an 18-meter bamboo-clad counter, surrounded by soft pink seating and topped with a spectacular origami-style ceiling. It’s chic and delightfully whimsical, right down to the table accessories, including adorable animal-shaped chopstick holders (oh, those pandas!) and handmade plates by Suzie Lapierre Darguy, founder of Forma, who also worked on the first Hando. The whole place is photo-worthy: get your phone out, you’ll be snapping away until the last sake!
FAMOUS CHEF AT THE HELM
By inviting Chiharu Takada, an iconic figure of the renowned Parisian restaurant Takara, behind the counter, Hando Vendôme guarantees its reputation and success. This chef, who started as a pastry chef, has made fish cutting her specialty, mastering the art of the handroll, which must be prepared fresh and enjoyed immediately, just warm. Joy: Chiharu Takada has packed the menu with exclusive new recipes, delicious enough to make you hit your head with your chopsticks.
AN EXCELLENT JAPANESE FEAST
We start gently with a perfectly flavored miso soup floating with extra fresh mushrooms (€7). This is followed by an exquisite parade of sashimis revealing exceptional tenderness: sea bass with ponzu sauce (€15), toro tuna with soy sauce (€19). Divinely seasoned signature nigiris: royal prawns and bottarga (€8) and yellowtail yuzukoshō (€9). Then comes the star of the place, the handroll, even better than we remembered, wrapped in a perfectly crispy nori sheet, capturing tender Japanese rice and ultra-tender raw fish: tuna (€10) and scallops (€12) kick off the feast, which continues with a superb wagyu beef handroll (€18) and concludes with the luxurious toro caviar, worth its weight in gold (€40). For dessert, the delightful mochis from Tomo patisserie deliver the same sweet note as at Hando on the left bank (€8), but this time, the black sesame ice cream had us hooked from the first spoonful (€6). Just before leaving, we’re told it all can’t end without a little sake: it’s a go!
Open Tuesday to Friday from 12 PM to 3 PM and 7:30 PM to 11 PM, Saturday from 12 PM to 5 PM and 7:30 PM to 11 PM, Sunday from 12 PM to 5 PM.
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