This is the story of two great friends: Romain and Maximilien. Together, they founded the Crocus, a symbol of a fusional friendship that rightly rhymes with eternal. They present a menu that only they have the secret of, unequalled and decadent, while making a clever nod to illustrious dishes. A journey to a new culinary land.
A romantic inspiration
It is in the name of a flower that the two friends unite. For the record, the crocus is a plant that grows in the Mediterranean basin. Among the 90 species of this plant family, the one from which saffron is produced seduces Romain and Maximilien’s cuisine. After having worked at the prestigious Maison Blanche, avenue Montaigne, they started working in a flower sales company in order to put some butter in the spinach in the middle of a confinement, while the restaurant industry was undergoing a sudden crisis. The creative source was obvious when they imagined moving forward together. Their restaurant was to have a meaningful name, reflecting their personal experience with crocuses. An experience that would be the theme of their decor and cuisine. From a time when life was hard, the phoenix rose from the ashes and gave a romantic inspiration.
Authenticity in your plate
The restaurant relies on a short menu that changes every fortnight. At Crocus, we find these Mediterranean influences that are often renewed to make each culinary experience a unique moment of relaxation. Sitting down at Crocus from one month to the next guarantees a permanent journey of novelty, since change is constant. The gourmet customer can choose from three starters, four main courses and three desserts. No need for options that make you lose your appetite.
The menu features fine appellations that clearly show the owners’ experience in high-end restaurants. However, this humble duo wants to be accessible by considering their restaurant as a bistro. The aim is to establish a real proximity with the customer rather than to reflect a stuffy image. But the experience is actually bistronomic. A fusion between quality and simplicity. In short: a warm welcome, very affordable prices, tasty and sophisticated dishes, fresh products never selected at random and quality partners, especially for the drinks menu.
A delicious lunchtime tour
It’s time to talk about the lunch menu, which we were able to explore. The undeniable hybrid cuisine of this restaurant makes it a wonderland where the best of the Mediterranean, and sometimes a little further afield, is concentrated on the plate. Our taste buds were pleasantly introduced to 2 starters, 2 main courses and 2 desserts. Ready for a real change of scenery?
To begin this journey of good taste, we first tried the fattouche salad and its grilled halloumi, a reference to a typical starter served in Lebanon or Syria, before tasting the egg in kadaïf in its chakchouka sauce, of Lebanese-Maghrebian influence.
Let’s talk about the main course! Are you a meat lover? We had to try the very popular lamb dish, which has been in great demand by customers since the restaurant opened. A frayed French shoulder with 11 spices, aubergine and glazed carrot, for a return to France. More of a fish dish? The peach of the day with its fennel purée, its fennel confit and its star anise juice took our palate to Persian and Chinese lands.
To end this wonderful excursion, a sweet note between the delicious poached pear and its soft chocolate biscuit sprinkled with olive oil, accompanied by candied ginger, caramel and caramelized hazelnuts. The other option? A Greek yoghurt entremet with rose and hibiscus.
This atypical and unclassifiable cuisine will never tire of challenging the classic codes of gastronomy.
Le Crocus
107, rue Didot, 75014 Paris
Lunch: starter/main course or main course/dessert: 18.50€. Starter/main course/dessert: 23€.
Evening: starter/main course/dessert: 36€.
Reservations: here!