Katsuaki Okiyama, previously at Robuchon, Taillevent and l’Agapé, runs this intimate neo bistro in the 10th. The “Japanese chef + French culinary background” combination is now a phenomenon in Paris, and you can perhaps imagine what the style of cooking is like.
Abri has been open for almost two years now, and it’s still on the hot list. I was fortunate to be invited to a friend’s birthday dinner here and didn’t have to deal with the hassle of reservation, but do call two weeks or so in advance if you hope to get a table here. The dishes that night turned out to be pleasant but not very memorable, and since no menu was given (it’s one of those carte blanche places), please excuse me for the lack of detailed descriptions…
The dinner no-choice menu (€38.50) includes 3 entrees, 1 fish course, 1 meat course, and 1 dessert course. For us, the evening started with foie gras terrine, green apples, truffle sauce.
Razor clam with an amazing sauce whose name escapes me now…sprinkled with fresh herbs like purple shiso.
Mushroom soup…? Frothy like a cappuccino.
White fish with cauliflower and miscellaneous vegetables.
Duck breast with potato puree.
Chocolate coffee dessert.
As previously mentioned, dinner was pleasant if not very memorable. I’m not sure if I will come back to Abri again for dinner, but I will definitely come back for its famous tonkatsu sandwich, served only during Monday and Saturday lunch time. More updates to come then.