HEBE restaurant - Paris — Restaurant in Paris

We booked a table online - when we arrived there, the waiter was not able to find us in the system … or something. No sorrys, nothing. Since it started to get complicated an we were very hungry, we took a table outside though it was rather cold. The waiter then tried to be some kind of „hipster cool buddy“ with us, which we found ridiculous and clumsy, since he was not specifically friendly 🙄

I asked for an „Apéro“ and if there were any specials of the house. Waiter seemed totally overtaxed with the question. He had literally no idea and started to go through the drink menue with me. Then he suggested me „Digestives“ like Marc and stuff. So he obviously didn‘t know the difference between Apéro and Digestiv. I then said I‘d go through the card myself - but he never came back to ask me - I ended up not having any apéro. 🙄

The first plates were delicious, but a bit strangely organized. The foie gras was an enormous portion with too little bread - who can eat foie gras without bread?!? Then it took them so long to bring additional bread. We waited for maybe 10 or 15 minutes till we got another two slices of bread. the vegetarian plate on the other hand was a mini portion … This was all so absurd.

The 2nd course came a long time later. We were freezing and waiting way too long. But kitchen wise also the second plates were delicious, but not a extremely generous statement of portion - I was glad I had the foie gras before. My vegetarian friend had to eat bread again to be okay.

After the main course we friendly asked if we could sit inside because we were freezing. It was tolerated, though the place was half empty, but all in all the friendlyness in this place is not their main quality.

In the end, prices were too expensive for what it was, mainly cause my vegetarian companion was still not really full.

However. If I were the cook and owner if this place I‘d make sure that the brilliant cooking wouldn‘t end up in a horribly poor hospitality and guest treatment in the front of my restaurant.

That‘s why I have to say, this place ist nothing but a good cook and the rest...

Being an avid (albeit home only) cook with keen interest in modern French cuisine, I wonder how HEBE fails to attract a larger crowd and longer queues. I hope it will achieve Michelin recognition or at least a Bib gourmand in the time to come.

Ambience: A cozy setting, not loud at all, great for conversations and a meaningful time with friends. The toilet is also very clean may I add.

Service: Remarkable attention to the customer, each dish and its components were explained (a service more typical at a Michelin restaurant). Not gonna lie, on my second visit, the restaurant manager so kindly offered a mocktail on the house, customising it as I preferred non-alcohol.

Food: Outstanding. The price I would gladly pay for the quality of food. The components of each dish are carefully considered, and I have learnt a lot from the experience. The first visit I had the duck as a standalone dish, and the second visit I had to go for the 3-course.

Beef tongue confit starter blew my mind. Tender and mildly gamey tongue cut with a mildly spicy tangy slaw with chives, and not to forget texture with crisps. Plating was also sublime. The duck breast is perfectly cooked. Pear 2 ways - slices and burnt and pureed. Pear and duck surprisingly good combination. The burnt pear is very subtle, earthy and gives a mild sweetness to the duck without being overpowering. Parsnip also 2 ways - in crisps and as a puree. Textures, balance of sweetness, richness and acidity - crafted to perfection. Fish - Sadly I was not able to photograph this. With a thin fillet of fish, it is very difficult to get a crispy skin and a perfectly cooked flesh. But the chef delivered with perfectly crisp skin and tender flaking flesh. Again, acidity, richness (from the sides), and earthiness from the sides rounds up the dish nicely. The pear dessert was a beautiful way to end the night. Portion was perfect - I was satisfied to the perfect amount, the meal was not overwhelmingly cloying or rich. And definitely did not leave hungry.

Highly...

This small contemporary restaurant in the Latin Quarter defied all expectations, and made for one of the most memorable meals we had on our trip. Recommended by our excellent concierge, Sanjay Kaloya at Hotel de Buci (another cool place), my wife and I ended up having dinner, and then lunch a few days later with two friends, at Hébé. We could not have been happier.

For dinner, we shared a Tuna Tartare entree, which was sizeable, and very savory and delicious. My wife had the “Duck” main course. The photo shows the how creative it was. I had the “Beef,” which included very delicate stuffed potatoes. Both were great. Then we shared the “Chocolate” dessert.

Those simple words/names used to name the choices on Hebe’s menu barely begin to describe the complex, creative dishes that they serve. Not traditional French fare, but youthful, “Chef” cooking that is fresh, creative, visually attractive, and consistently delicious. Just remarkable. The black ice cream in the Chocolate dessert was unlike anything I have ever eaten.

So we returned for lunch a few days later with friends and again it was extraordinary. Lunch was your choice of a 2 or 3 course meal, with only one other choice to make (meat or fish for the main course). There were four of us for lunch so we did get to try both main courses and share chocolate desserts. Again, it was beautiful to look at, delicious to eat, and very creative.

A few other notes: Service was excellent both times. The waitress spoke better English than my French, she was very nice and helpful [even with crush of a large (15?) party in the restaurant at the same time for lunch]. Also, their wine list includes many excellent wines by the glass so, if you aren’t drinking enough to warrant a bottle, you have a lot of excellent choices. And lastly, it’s all reasonably priced. It’s not inexpensive but for this very high level of cooking, it’s very doable. Our highest...