Maison Plisson

Restaurant, grocer, cheesemonger, deli, wine shop and more – it’s hard to sum up everything that Maison Plisson has on offer. With a hefty whack of publicity, this ‘alimentaion generale’ or general food store set up shop on the Boulevard Beaumarchais in May 2014. Covering 500 square metres, it contains two spaces: to one side, a small food hall full of fresh produce and fine French ingredients (beware: the prices are sky high). To the other, a restaurant where the foodstuffs on display are transformed into delicious dishes by chef Bruno Doucet. It’s open all day, seven days a week, but that doesn’t mean a reduction in quality – it’s worth queuing. Pick a place at the long bar next to the window, enjoy a wooden canteen table in the light-filled main dining room, or grab a spot on the plant-filled terrace with its elegant glass cover. The menu covers salads (€15), savoury tarts (€12) and soups (€8), but also daily specials (served until 3pm) – always with meat, fish and vegetarian options.

On our visit, dishes of cod brandade and haddock with pesto and black olives were both a big hit (€21). For dessert, a classic strawberry tart was cannily updated with a pistachio cream (€7). The drinks list covers quality local beers from around €5 a bottle, and plenty of excellent wines by the glass, though prices are excessive (around €10 a glass) – hunt around instead for something like the Grosbois Chinon at €6.

Service is attentive, and the food fresh and full of flavour. Though prices can be off-putting, a well-chosen meal here is an absolute pleasure.