Jouvence -- Restaurant Review

 

For general information, menus, directions and reservations check their website: https://www.jouvence.paris/accueil#1

Rating Standards: 5-Stars = Extraordinary; 4-Stars = Excellent; 3-Stars = Average; 2-Stars = Fair; 1-Star = Poor € = Inexpensive: 30€ and under; €€ = Moderate: 31€-49€; €€€ = Expensive: €50 -75; €€€€ = Very Expensive: more than €76 (prices based on minimum 2-courses)

1-Bell = Pleasantly quiet (less than 65 decibels); 2-Bells = Can talk easily (65-70); 3-Bells = Talking normally gets difficult (70-80); 4-Bells = Can talk only in raised voices (75-90); BOMB = Too noisy for normal conversation (90+)

4.75 - star ...........................€€.......................................... 3-🔔 

These are the same friends who introduced us to L'Antre Amis, so when they recommended this spot on their last visit, we didn’t hesitate—they’re batting a perfect 1000 so far.

Now, here’s where things took a very me turn. As everyone knows, I have the directional instincts of a confused squirrel. I confidently told our two friends—that the restaurant was in their neighborhood. I somehow confused the 17ème with the 12ème (minor detail, right?). So, thanks to my geographical mix-up, they ended up schlepping across the entire city, which took them nearly an hour.

Fortunately, they know me well enough to just laugh it off. Getting lost is basically part of the experience when you're with me.

The empty table you see above is our table. It's a cute restaurant, but small. I counted the number of seats and there were only 26 seats. So, it's quite intimate.

We went for lunch, and while the menu isn’t as extensive as it is at dinner (you can check their website under “Information” for details), the prices are very reasonable. Their prix-fixe lunch—which includes entrée, main course, and dessert—is just €28. If you opt for only two courses, it’s €23. Either way, it’s a great deal.

Asperges blanches façon mimosa, croûtons, ail des ours. (White asparagus mimosa style, croutons, wild garlic). A simple dish, beautifully presented. Before my heart surgery, I might have found it under-seasoned (not enough salt), but for me now, it was perfect. I’m guessing they used some wild garlic leaves, which added a subtle, aromatic flavor. The grated egg yolk was a lovely touch, and the croutons brought in just the right amount of crunch. I thought it was a hit.

Cabillaud roti, courgette, pois chiche, citron confit, tomates cerises, sarriette (Roasted cod, zucchini, chickpeas, preserved lemon, cherry tomatoes, savory)  All three of us (JJ had the chicken, which was excellent too) agreed—this was an exceptionally well-composed dish. It started with a base of vibrant tomato coulis, topped with a neat row of blanched zucchini and lightly roasted cherry tomatoes. Scattered throughout were tender, perfectly cooked chickpeas that added a lovely earthiness.

The star of the show, of course, was the cod. It wasn’t overly salty, as cod often can be. Instead, it was incredibly tender while still holding its shape—and impressively moist. Every element complemented the others beautifully. A solid A+ from our table.

Ganache chocolate, financier, praline, emulsion cafe (Ganache chocolate, financier, praline, coffee emulsion) Since I was already getting full, I opted for the sweet dessert, thinking it might be lighter than the one served with cheese and bread. When you hear “ganache,” you usually imagine a dense, rich chocolate mass—but this one surprised me. It had a mousse-like quality: light, airy, and far less heavy than expected. I’m guessing they used a lighter cream and incorporated plenty of air during whipping. Whatever the technique, it was absolutely delicious.

The coffee emulsion cream was equally airy and pleasantly subtle—not too sweet. And the little slices of financier were a lovely bonus, adding just the right touch to finish the meal.

The bread served was absolutely one of the best we've ever had, and when we mentioned it to the waiter he indicated they make their own bread.

Note: No reviews on wines, since everyone ordered a different glass with their meal.

So for 3-glasses of wine, 1-bottle of sparkling water, 2x€28 (3-courses) prefix-fixe 3-courses), 2X€23 (prix-fixe 2-courses), 1 dessert, 2 coffees and extra cream our total bill came to €156 or €39/pp.

SUMMARY 

Thanks to our friends from Nice—what a great find! We don’t usually venture out to the 12ème arrondissement, as it’s a bit of a schlepp on the metro. We live on the other end of Paris, so it's not exactly around the corner. But if this lunch was just a glimpse of what their menu has to offer, we’d absolutely come back for dinner.

The restaurant is small—just 26 seats—so reservations are a must. It’s also recommended by the Bib Gourmand Michelin guide, which is always a good sign. It can get noisy, but we noticed all the other diners were French, which suggests it’s a true neighborhood gem.

The food? Excellent. And the prices? Very, very reasonable, especially considering the quality and care in each dish. Depending on where you're staying, it’s definitely worth the trek.