La Brigade (Réaumur)

La Brigade Réaumur's culinary philosophy centers on a simple yet powerful concept: delivering exceptional butcher-quality meats in an accessible, street food format. The restaurant sources premium cuts and prepares them with the care and attention typically reserved for traditional sit-down establishments, but serves them in convenient barquettes that make quality meat dining effortless and approachable.

The menu's stars are undoubtedly the main meat offerings, led by the beef hanger steak (onglet de bœuf), breaded chicken fillet, and duck breast (magret de canard). Each cut is cooked to order according to your preference, ensuring optimal texture and flavor. The kitchen also features signature items like pan-seared foie gras and beef tartare, demonstrating a range that extends beyond simple grilled meats to include more refined preparations.

Every main dish comes with generous portions of homemade fries, prepared using potatoes sourced from the nearby regions of Île-de-France and Picardie. This commitment to local sourcing reflects the restaurant's broader philosophy of supporting regional producers and ensuring ingredient quality. The fries are crispy, golden, and perfectly seasoned—a worthy accompaniment to the premium meats.

What truly distinguishes La Brigade's offering is the selection of five house-made sauces: honey Roquefort, pepper, béarnaise, satay, and caramelized shallots. These creative condiments allow diners to customize their experience, transforming each dish with different flavor profiles. The honey Roquefort brings sweet-savory complexity, the béarnaise offers classic French richness, while the satay introduces an unexpected Asian-inspired note.

The menu extends beyond main courses with appealing starters including chicken tenders, vegetable tempura, and breaded camembert—the latter being a particularly indulgent choice that showcases French cheese in a playful, accessible format. For those seeking lighter options, the restaurant offers the Happyvore vegetarian supreme, an escalope crafted from wheat and pea proteins, acknowledging that not every diner is a dedicated carnivore.

Desserts provide a sweet conclusion with options like chocolate fondant (moelleux au chocolat), cheesecake, and an inventive banana chocolate cookie tiramisu that puts a creative spin on the Italian classic. The restaurant also offers organic wines at 20€ per bottle, providing quality beverage pairings at reasonable prices.

Throughout the menu, La Brigade demonstrates a commitment to animal welfare and ethical sourcing, working with suppliers who share their values. This attention to provenance, combined with skilled preparation and creative presentation, elevates what could be simple meat-and-fries into a genuinely satisfying dining experience that respects both the ingredients and the diner's time.