Omis's Qype profile

Situé en face du marché Saint-Germain, Côté Bergamote dispose d’une terrasse agréable sur une rue calme.
La carte est assez attirante grâce à un bon choix de salades et de plats à des prix relativement corrects pour le quartier.
Ces bons côtés sont malheureusement rapidement oubliés :
-La salade succinctement garnie que j’y ai commandée était mal lavée et des restes de sable/terre croquaient désagréablement sous la dent.
-Le service y était limite aimable et totalement inefficace : prétendant que la table où nous nous étions installés était réservée, le placeur nous fait nous déplacer pour accepter 2mn plus tard d’autres personnes qui n’avaient pas plus réservé que nous (il aurait été plus honnête de nous dire qu’il souhaitait la conserver pour une tablée plus importante); les demandes de sel ou poivre ont été royalement ignorées.
Grande déception et aucune chance de nous revoir, d’autant que d’autres terrasses aussi accueillantes se trouvent juste en face!

Despite the successive changes, the map remains the same with dishes that you will hardly find anywhere else. The delicious Osbane couscous (a type of large sausage made with a pocket of a stomach stuffed with minced offal, rice and flavoured with mint), or the half-mutton head couscous (you have to be brave for this one!). The tables are quite small and it is sometimes difficult to find enough place for the wooden bowl filled with couscous, the bowl “verreco” filled with vegetables, the meat dish, but the waiters are quite good at it. The cutlery is basic (glasses, ordinary knife and fork, paper table cloths) but everything is done in a classy ambiance. Do not miss for the dessert, the oriental cakes tray which will be brought to you on the table if there aren’t many people, and of course the mint tea which is excellent. Very reasonable bill.

Contrary to the markets in the centre of Paris, those in the periphery offer real benefits to the local shops. The choice is much bigger because of the greater number of merchants, and the prices can also be interesting, and the Brune Market is one of them. Fan of car boot sale, I always take advantage of my Sunday visits to go to the flea market of the Porte Vanves, to take a stroll up and down the market in general for the fruit and vegetables. I always find everything I need, especially at the GAEC de Villedieu stand, where 2 charming old ladies sell their production exclusively consisting of home-grown seasonal fruit and vegetables, at very reasonable prices and of flawless quality.

Founded in 1895, is still an institution of the rue Montorgueil. 250 kinds of cheeses. With of course a large domination of French cheeses but also Dutch, Italian and even English (try the Top Hat), all neatly selected and refined. The service is very, very friendly and great advice. Apart from the classic camemberts and Bries, you can find the tomme of Aubracq to the Aligot the Fontainebleau (a specialty somewhere between the fromage blanc and whipped cream) a choice of vieux Hollandes (Mimolette, hazelnut flavoured gouda… I love it) etc. I could make a good encyclopedia about it, but I do not want to reveal everything. You can request a free special vacuum packaging of your cheeses so that people don’t give you dirty looks on the underground or train. Very good seasonal cheeses: Munster blanc, Vacherin, vieux Lille, etc… Just a quick tip: Let yourself be tempted! Of course, those prices are those of a real cheese shop, but honestly, between one of their Camemberts and a Président from the supermarket, there is as much difference as between a Rolls-Royce and Deux Chevaux.

Curiously, despite the number of compatriotes from France’s overseas territories (DOM) living in Paris, there are relatively few Creole restaurants, and even fewer worth the trip. Armelle and Henri is one of the rares exceptions. Two steps from the Place des Abbesses, basically at the foot of Montmartre, you’ll discover, in this “Creole of Paris” setting, a warm and colourful atmosphere. 2 rooms “upstairs” and “downstairs”. Quite quiet during the week, but always in a zouk atmosphere, you can try a great assortment of Creole specialities served with a smile. After ordering the indispensable punch, start with a Creole platter where you find the essential starters from there: Creole black pudding, accras (a type of fritter) and féroce (a spicy chicken dish) then continue with one of the small mains that are deliciously prepared (I have a big weakness for the shellfish matété). At the weekend the show begins. The room upstairs stays the same but in the downstairs room, they have a dinner and show set menu at 34 euros without drinks, and a “cabaret” show that allows you to relax, dance, eat, laugh and go to bed really late with the memory of having spent a very enjoyable evening.

Without a doubt, the best ice cream in Paris, France, Europe, in the World (OK I’m going over the top now). I am crazy about their sorbets, you can taste the flavour of the fruit in such an incredible way that it almost becomes a mystical experience. Personally, I almost always go for the Melon/Cassis and I must say that the melon sorbet from Berthillon is better than the best melons I’ve ever eaten. You will find Berthillon ice in the neighborhood and elsewhere in Paris, but it is only here that the enormous full range is presented (see the previous review with the list). For the litre ice creams, I am fond of the Plombiere (vanilla with candy fruit) which I use to stuff my norwegian omellettes, just as my friends love them. However beware, there isn’t always some in stock. It is also the place to find ice cream sold in carton boxes, with a very reasonable price considering the quality (I think it is about 7.50 euros per half a litre, but Carte d’Or has nothing on it!). Note: Not debit or credit cards, only cash or cheque. the 1/2 and 3/4 litre ice cream is sold in little boxes like cakes and the polystyrene packaging to keep them fresh is charged at an extra price, so if you come back (and you will come back), remember to bring it with you.

Another area of antiques in Paris. The Village Saint-Paul, created between 1970-1980, it consists of small shops, most of which belong to the RIVP (Régie Immobilière de la Ville de Paris). Here we are in a world between flea and antiques, with a choice which is, unfortunately, more and more limited. There are specialties like beautiful writing objects, fancy Art-Deco jewellery, glass or lighting… Despite the gradual closure of many stores that are replaced by design galleries (deliberate desire of the council?), you can still find a few treasures provided that you search every corner of its many shops sometimes hidden at the bottom of the courtyards. The prices are more reasonable than everywhere else, but everytime I go, I feel as if the Village Saint-Paul is heading the same way as the Village Suisse, which will soon become a distant memory.

Given the banality of today’s perfume shops, threatened by the presence of Sephora and others Marionnaud, some small perfume shops resits thanks to their uniqueness, and Aroma is one of them. Here, almost no fashionable fragrances (the only ones that are there have been selected for their quality, e.g. Terre - d’Hermes), however a large choice of perfume, eaux de toilette and even confidentailly branded interior fragrances (Miller Harris, for instance) or, among the famous brands, perfumes that are not usually found in average stores (Yatagan de Caron - my favourite). An attentive and smiling staff welcomes you. The manager gives great advice and will make you discover with passion the universe of fragrances like you have never experienced before. You come out of there fascinated and ready to come back when you need to purchase your next gift.