Metropolitain

This young chef, Paul-Arthur Berlan, who hails originally from Toulouse in Southern France, already has years of experience under his belt, which include a stint in Oslo, Norway as well as working under 2 and 3-star Michelin chefs. Acquiring a taste for culinary competitions (Bocuse d'Or) early in his career, he went on to be a final in France's Top Chef in 2011 following which, he opened his own restaurant in this lovely Marais neighborhood of Paris. This is French bistro fare at its simply finest. The cuisine of record at Metropolitain is southwest fare which tends to be big, hearty flavors - cassoulet, for example is a staple from the region - that have been succulently refined by this chef's touch. Not to be overlooked is the extensive wine menu which ferrets out extraordinary gems from Carcassonne and other not-often-enough-seen Southwest France wine appellations.