I previously mentioned chef Thibault Sombardier in a couple of my blog posts. He’s no stranger to worldfooddina! Apparently, it’s not enough to be the chef at the one Michelin-starred restaurant Antoine; he’s also the owner of Mensae (table in Latin) and now Sellae (chair in Latin) in the 13th arrondisssement.
I tried Mensae in February and I absolutely loved it; thus I was very excited to try the new Thibault Sombardier restaurant: Sellae. Both restaurants share the same concept: a simple, casual, and welcoming atmosphere. The ingredients are particularly fresh, and the price is low; this is what makes these two places so successful.
We can see similarities in both menus, such as the cuisses de grenouilles persillés, fricassée d’escargots et champignons, and the mousse au chocolat. But the chef at Sellae, Matteo Vianello, brought his own touch to this place. Dishes like sardine Saor and the focaccia maison.
A three-course menu for €22!
We ordered the cuisses de grenouilles of course. You can’t be in France and not order frog legs. They were huge and fleshy. The sauce was tasty with parsley and garlic; this is what gives mostly the taste actually.
The homemade focaccia looked more like a bruschetta to me. It wasn’t a flat oven-baked bread but rather a toasted slice of bread served with arugula and cherry tomatoes.
Among the main courses, we ordered the cod with vegetables and sour radish. With quite simple ingredients the chef made an appetizing and inventive dish. Not to mention delicious!
We ordered the catch of the day for two: a magnificent whole piece of John Dory. It was incredibly fresh and the meat was tender and tasty. There was no doubt, it was the catch of the day and not some frozen fish. For those who say they don’t like fish, this will make you change your mind! You’re going to say it’s ugly; I concur, but seriously, this is not a beauty pageant!
The wine list is quite simple but the selection is suitable. I ordered a glass of Cistus 2015 – Château Laquière for €6.
I loved Sellae. The service is pleasant, the ingredients are meticulously selected, the prices are affordable, the menu is seasonal, and all that in a friendly atmosphere. There are tables outside on the sidewalk for sunny days; your typical Parisian bistro!
Thank you Thibault Sombardier for your energy and your new ideas, I’m ready to try more of your new restaurants!
Sellae
18 Rue des Wallons, 75013 Paris
📞+33 1 43 31 36 04
Price: $$
Monday – Saturday: 12:30 – 2:30 pm, 7:30 – 10:30 pm
Sunday: closed
Metro line 5: Saint-Marcel station
