Tavline -- Restaurant Review

 

For information, menu, reservations click on link Tavline Restaurant

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+)

4.5 - star ...........................€€.......................................... 2-🔔 

While searching for a place to share a meal, I wanted to take a break from French cuisine and was specifically looking for a healthier option. That’s when I came across this Israeli restaurant. Having been to Israel many times, I remembered how much emphasis they place on fresh vegetables and vibrant greens—exactly what I was in the mood for.

Interestingly, as we approached the restaurant, it immediately looked familiar. Turns out, we had been there when it first opened a couple of years ago. I remembered it being a scorching day, and with no A/C, I never got around to reviewing it—but I did remember the food being good. This time, I made sure to take notes.

The restaurant is small and located in the heart of the Marais district in Paris. It’s cozy, with tightly arranged tables and seating for maybe 20 guests. Nothing fancy—because here, it’s really all about the food.

Note: The dishes are designed for sharing, which is what we did. I'll only review the ones I personally tasted.

Cherrywood smoked sardines, preserved lemon, garlic Hebrew salsa and cumin yogurt 
Sardines usually come with bold, punchy flavors—vinegar, oil, and salt that essentially "cure" them. But this dish was a pleasant surprise and completely defied my expectations. These were definitely not canned sardines. The cherrywood smoking gave them a subtle depth without the usual overpowering tang. The garlic salsa added a vibrant, herbal freshness that really elevated the dish, and the cumin yogurt brought it all together. A very well-balanced plate.

Homemade hummus made with tahini, whole chickpeas, and cumin

I love hummus—and I still dream about the best one I’ve ever had in Jaffa, Israel. While nothing may ever top that, this version was good. It was smooth, earthy, and thankfully not over-salted, which I appreciated given my low-sodium diet, doctor's orders. It could’ve used just a touch more lemon for brightness, but the drizzle of olive oil and the garnish of fresh greens added a lovely freshness. Solid dish overall.

Roasted beets & homemade labane, za'atar, green chili condiment
At first glance, the beets were hidden beneath a generous mound of arugula, so the dish can be a bit deceiving to the eye. The arugula was lightly tossed in a bright, citrusy vinaigrette, which paired beautifully with the sweetness of the beets. The beets themselves were seasoned with za’atar—a fragrant Middle Eastern spice blend that added depth without overpowering. A creamy touch of labane, a tangy cheese made from yogurt, rounded out the dish. Altogether, a well-balanced and refreshing plate—especially if you enjoy this mix of sweet, tangy, and herbal flavors.

Roasted butternut squash with zaatar, butternut pickles, feta, pomegranate and chive oil
The butternut squash was perfectly roasted, with just the right amount of caramelization to bring out its natural sweetness. The pomegranate vinaigrette added a gentle tartness without overpowering the dish, and the chive oil was subtle enough to let the squash remain the star of the plate. Simple, balanced, and very well executed—a lovely dish.

Charred eggplant, feta, walnuts, capers, and za'atar paprika
I’ll admit—I love anything eggplant, so I might be a bit biased here. That said, this dish was beautifully done. The eggplant was perfectly cooked, with a soft texture that contrasted nicely with the crunch of the feta and the burst of sweetness from the pomegranate seeds. The paprika za’atar sauce was flavorful without being overpowering, and it really enhanced the natural richness of the eggplant. Another standout dish.

Fish of the day cooked in a ras le hanout sauce, miso tahina, tarragon pesto, chickpeas and smoked paprika oil.
This was the dish I ordered—and yet another one cleverly hidden beneath a bed of greens. But underneath was a real gem. I don’t recall exactly which fish it was, but it was a light, firm white fish—likely cod or bream—served in small, tender bite-sized pieces. The le hanout sauce added a warm, aromatic depth that really carried the dish. I didn’t catch much of the tahina, but the tarragon pesto came through nicely, adding a subtle herbal note. The fresh greens gave it a light, vibrant finish. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

SUMMARY

It’s not a fancy restaurant by any means—just down-to-earth, wholesome food. Because it’s such a small space, they do turn tables, which I usually try to avoid. But we had the last lunch seating at 2 PM, so there was no pressure to rush, which made all the difference.

If you’re looking to take a break from French cuisine and want a meal that’s not only satisfying but also lighter and herb-forward, with plenty of fresh vegetables and greens, this is definitely a place worth trying.

Would we go back, absolutely. 

With 1-beets, 1-sardine, 2-butternut, 2-humuus, 1-eggplant, 2-chickens, 1-fish balls, 1-fish, 1-Shakshuka, 2-orders of pita bread, 3-sodas, 4-lemon/mint drinks (non-alcoholic), 2-cappucinos and 1 double espresso our bill for 6-people came to €273.50 or, rounding-up €46 each.