Dandelion is a new(ish) restaurant in the 20th arrondissement of Paris. The founders are of true Paris culinary pedigree, Chef Antoine Villard, former chef at Septime, and Morgane Souris, former sommelier at Parcelles. I had wanted to go here ever since they opened and I finally did. You might be thinking “oh the 20th is so far out there!”. Well, it is but…it’s super easy to get to this restaurant by metro and it’s definitely worth the trek (directions at the end).
When you approach the restaurant you get that little bubble of excitement in your stomach because the vibe screams: you’re about to experience something glorious! When you get inside you are greeted with warm, polished professionalism. The young staff look impeccable. Black pants and perfectly pressed white shirts. Giant limestone pillars and exposed brick add a rustic ambiance, and hint at the historic nature of the building. Scattered around the room are wooden vintage bistro chairs in a mélange of four tops and two tops. The tables are elegantly set with candles and fresh flowers. There’s a gorgeous freestanding square island near the bar that they set for dinner with five or six places (when I come back here by myself this is where I want sit!). For my recent visit I had the table by the door. Most people don’t like to sit by the door but I like being able to look out the window. The little square out front inadvertently provided an ambiance I didn’t expect. I watched the neighborhood Parisians living their everyday lives. A lady with a large German Shepherd, two teenagers on a bench flirting with each other, a young father kicking a soccer ball with his little boy, and man with a fluffy little white dog. I felt like I had a front row seat to the best show on earth. The room starts to fill with chic older couples, as well as lively young friend groups.
What’s on the Menu at Dandelion Paris?
When the dishes came, one by one, I was impressed by the professionalism of the servers and the creativity of the plates. The food wasn’t overdone. It was fresh, clean vibrant, healthy and colorful. Exactly the kind of food I like to eat.
They had starters like Pommes Dauphine with parmesan and pimento mayonnaise, green beans with a Caesar sauce, Bonite crue (a fish from the tuna family but with a more delicate flavor) sourced from Saint-Jean-de-Luz, fish from these waters are known to be caught using traditional and sustainable methods like line fishing… If you like fish, and you see this place listed as the source on a menu, order it! You will not be disappointed. There was also a grilled black mullet with straciatella, vaudovan spices (kind of like curry) and almonds, as well as beef tartare.
Mains included Canette de la Belvindière (a specific French duck breed known for its deep flavor, tenderness and the care taken in it’s production, often seen in Michelin starred restaurants), braised veal sweetbreads, line caught white fish cooked in beurre blanc sauce, and a handmade Cavatelli pasta dish with mushrooms. The bread they serve is from the Ten Belles bakery in Paris, and it’s the really, really good bread that you have to eat even if you don’t eat bread! The main courses were between €30 and €42.
Wine Selection at Dandelion
The wine selection here is eclectic and it’s obvious that great care was taken when deciding what their offerings would be. I ordered a bottle of the Domaine Guillot-Broux “En Serre” because I can’t help it, I’m a Burgundy girl, and it was a perfect pairing with my fish. They have many other wines by the glass and by the bottle, most of them lesser known and certified organic. Glass pours were very reasonable, between €8 and €12.
To finish the meal they offered an assortment of cheeses and two desserts: Chou à la Tropézienne or a Gariguette strawberry semifreddo. I had the semifreddo, and it was light, fresh and delicious.
Theres a little florist called Studio Ortie just down the street that provides them with all of their flowers, and I had to take this photo, (yes it’s in the bathroom) but the flower arrangement was so stunning I couldn’t help it!
The menu is small, but very carefully thought out using seasonal high-quality ingredients from only the best producers. Things to note, and I’ve said this before in other blog posts, when a restaurant calls out the specific place or source of their produce or their protein you can pretty much guarantee that you’re getting an exceptionally high quality meal; and its unquestionable that that is what you’ll get at Dandelion. They have a 4.7 rating on Google and they are also a Michelin Guide restaurant.
Please don’t let the fact that it’s in the 20th deter you. It’s so easy to get here from just about anywhere in Paris. Line one will get you within a half mile walk to the restaurant, catch it towards Château de Vincennes and get off at Nation. Or, if you don’t want to walk that far you can transfer from line one at Nation and get on line nine towards Montreuil, and get off at Buzenval. From here it’s only a five minute walk. From the left bank you can take line four towards Strasbourg-St-Denis and then transfer to line nine towards Montreuil and then get off at Buzenval.
📍Dandelion Paris
46 Rue des Vignoles
75020, Paris
Dandelion Paris Hours
Closed Sun & Mon
Dinner Tues-Sat 7:15-10:30
Lunch: Thurs & Fri only 12:00-3:00
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One Response
This looks like it’s worth the extra time and travel; all roads lead to Dandelion.