La Cagouille — Restaurant in Paris

La Cagouille

Country: France Location: 10 Place Constantin Brancusi, 75014 Paris Cooking Style: Traditional French seafood

Go There For:

• Exceptionally fresh seafood, prepared simply to let the ingredients shine. • A welcoming, unpretentious bistro atmosphere that feels authentically Parisian. • The expertly curated wine list by sommelier Kang Du, offering perfect pairings for every dish. • Outstanding value for top-quality seafood in Paris.

What to Eat and What to Drink:

What to Eat: • Grilled sardines: Crisp, smoky, and bursting with flavor. • Marinated mackerel: Balanced with a hint of acidity. • Roasted turbot or sole meunière: Delicate and perfectly cooked. • Clam broth: Warm, briny, and deeply satisfying. • Fresh oysters: Served with classic condiments and a focus on freshness.

What to Drink: • Pair shellfish with a crisp Muscadet or Sancerre from Kang Du’s handpicked selection. • Opt for a white Burgundy, like Puligny-Montrachet, to enhance richer fish dishes. • Try a light, refreshing Loire Valley red (like Chinon) for a bold but balanced pairing.

Chef and Philosophy:

Chef: André Robert (founder and owner)

Philosophy: La Cagouille is an ode to the sea, emphasizing simple preparations that highlight the natural flavors of pristine seafood. Dishes are grilled, roasted, or steamed, avoiding heavy sauces or distractions. The focus is on high-quality, daily-sourced ingredients treated with care.

Sommelier:

Kang Du The heart of La Cagouille’s wine program is sommelier Kang Du, who has created a phenomenal wine list that perfectly complements the restaurant’s seafood-focused menu. His knowledge of French wines, particularly whites from Burgundy and the Loire, is unmatched. He is praised for guiding guests through pairings with a friendly and approachable attitude, ensuring that both wine enthusiasts and novices feel welcome.

Highlights from Critics:

• Michelin Guide (Bib Gourmand): “Incredible freshness and honest cooking at exceptional value, with a wine list as noteworthy as the food.” • Gault & Millau: “The seafood is unmatched, and the sommelier’s expertise elevates the dining experience to a new level.” • Food bloggers: Regularly celebrated for its generous portions, warm service, and Kang Du’s standout wine pairings.

Signature Dishes:

• Grilled sardines • Marinated mackerel • Roast turbot or sole meunière • Clam broth • Fresh oysters

Ratings and Reviews:

• Michelin Guide: Bib Gourmand for quality and value. • Gault & Millau: Among Paris’ top seafood bistros. • Wine program: Consistently highlighted as one of the restaurant’s strengths, thanks to Kang Du.

Preferred Ingredients: • Daily-sourced fish and shellfish from trusted French suppliers. • Premium olive oil, fresh herbs, and simple condiments to enhance flavors.

Overall Score: 9/10

Kitchen Score:8.5/10

• Ingredients & Products: 10/10 – Seafood so fresh it’s the star of every dish. • Technique & Simplicity: 9/10 – Focused and skillful execution. • Presentation: 8/10 – Minimalist, letting the food speak for itself.

Wine...

Great service from the staff. Enjoyed how they brought the daily menu out to the table, (on a white board) and was able to explain their offerings. Seating felt a bit cramped.

Food wise, fresh seafood, and wine!

My only grip was that the food had little to no flavors / taste. I would assume it was very lightly seasoned to accommodate a wide range of palates. I just expected more for the price range.

The red fish was seasoned well. The rest not so. In my opinion, the vegetable sides I ordered had 0% seasoning.

Absolutely enjoyed the small bowl of complimentary bread and clams.

My Calamari and fried onions were a bit overcooked; however, still edible.

Only able to order one serving of razor claim, due to them having limited offerings. Only my friend was able to enjoy. I sampled one of his and it...

Absolutely delicious seafood. Their warm bread and a small bowl of cute clams alone are worth a visit.

Their impressively professional service was one of the best I ever experienced.

On my first visit, I left my walking stick and they wrote my daughter, who made the booking, a very polite email with a picture of my walking stick attached.

I liked this restaurant so much that I returned to it within 3 days. I arrived too early and even though it was not yet its opening time, I was allowed to take a seat and the staff started serving me immediately.

The only 2 negative comments about this lovely place are the exterior aesthetic and the fillet of mullet which were both a little underwhelming.

That said, I will be going back to this great restaurant whenever I...