“Intrigued by a name?” I ask you, as we stand before the Impasse Janine. It’s a small street with a big story. This isn’t just any ordinary street. The Impasse Janine whispers tales of artistic flair and culinary delights.
The Impasse Janine is more than just an address. It’s a place where art and food intertwine. Let’s talk about Janine the restaurant first. It’s a neo-bistro that resides here. Once, it was a historic haunt. It drew Batignolles residents.
Thibault Sizun transformed the space. He had worked at Eels. He opened his neo-bistro with an old-fashioned name. Michele Bulgherini provided the redesign. She is a creative director. Oil paintings and drawings adorn the ground floor. Some were created by the owner’s grandmother. Upstairs you can find two dining rooms. They are perfect for feasts. There is also a boudoir for rent. Ring the doorbell to enter it.
Soda Thiam was the chef here. She previously worked at Gare au Gorille. Her cuisine was bourgeois. One day the menu included pork terrine. It came with homemade pickles and sourdough bread. There were also braised pork cheeks. They were served with glazed radishes. A creamy polenta with fresh herbs completed the dish. A pear poached in red wine was served as dessert. It came with honey mousse and sesame crumble.
The restaurant offers a great selection of wines. You can find Burgundy Chardonnay from Fanny Sabre. Jura Pinot noir from Guillaume Overnoy is also on the list. There is also a Roussillon Grenache-Syrah blend from Face B. For something special, check out the magnums of wine.
Another restaurant called Janine gained popularity. The New York Times recommended it. The restaurant was quickly packed with tourists. Reservations became hard to get. One server translated the menu into English in a hurry. Soda Thiam, the chef featured in the reviews, no longer works there. Hitoshi Minatani replaced her. He came from the Semilla Group.
The restaurant’s decor is simple. You’ll see wooden tables and chairs. The floor is tiled. Tasteful drawings and paintings decorate the walls. They were found at flea markets.
L’Impasse bar is also nearby. It offers organic and natural wines. They also have craft beers and signature cocktails. Try the French Detox cocktail. It contains gin, lime, basil, and cucumber. The bar offers French products for appetizers. Their specialty is charcuterie and cheese boards.
L’Impasse bar hosts a monthly artist residency. It’s called “L’Aquarium”. The goal is to support artistic creation and exhibitions. Artists can create their work here. The space provides technical and financial resources. It’s an open stage under glass. You can watch the artist at work. Each residency culminates in an exhibition. Musical performances occur every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. They also organize concerts and film screenings.
So, the Impasse Janine is a place of art, food, and culture. It’s a hidden gem in Paris. Take a moment to soak in the atmosphere. Imagine the artists creating. Think of the chefs cooking. This small street is a hub of creativity.