French-born two Michelin star chef Akrame Benallal has this month launched the Azerbaijan-inspired Shirvan Café Métisse on the banks of the River Seine in Paris. The 90-cover restaurant’s cuisine brings together the flavours of North Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Caspian Sea in a sophisticated modern setting.
The restaurant is backed by the British financier Javad Marandi, owner of highly successful restaurants and hotels in the UK. Chef Akrame began his career at the age of 14, earning a first Michelin star for his eponymous Parisian restaurant in 2011. In addition to a number of highly acclaimed restaurants in Paris, the Akrame group has now grown to include establishments in Hong Kong, Manila and Baku.
Shirvan is located in one of the most exclusive neighbourhoods of Paris, on the Place de l’Alma at the end of Avenue George V facing the Seine and next to the fashion boutiques of the Avenue Montaigne. The restaurant seats around 70 indoors and 24 on the outdoor terrace. The interior of marble, wood, terrazzo, brass and caramel leather has been designed by Parisian agency Neonata and features an open kitchen.
The Silk Road-inspired menu includes cauliflower roasted with curry leaves and fresh coconut, spiced lamb shoulder confit accompanied by Kerala pink rice, and Tingmo, a steamed golden brioche served with a lentil cream simmered for six hours, chutney and an almond and lemon sauce. Desserts include a citrus mille-feuilles and a pomegranate and tarragon sorbet.
Open daily from 8:00am to 2:00am, the café also offers a Parisian breakfast of eggs, freshly squeezed juices and home-baked pastries. Throughout the day, the restaurant serves sharing plates and from 5:00pm onwards, cocktails made with infused liquors, homemade syrups, fresh fruit and spices such as cumin, praline, verbena, kaffir lime or orange blossom are available at the bar.
Describing the restaurant’s dining experience, chef Akrame said: “Shirvan offers a mosaic of dishes that reimagine the flavours of the Silk Road stretching from Marrakesh in the West to Samarkand in the East. Diners will taste an exquisite, constantly renewed cuisine – a rarity in the highly traditional Parisian restaurant landscape.
Shirvan Café Métisse is located at 5, place de l’Alma, 75008 Paris, France.
