Watercress soup at 19 Saint Roch

Just because the Parisian restaurant 19 Saint-Roch has a counter; it’s not because, shortly before our visit, it was awarded the “Best Sophistroquet” prize by Fooding; it’s not because the chef, Pierre Touitou, has previously worked behind the stoves of Parisian restaurants Vivant 2 and Déviant; in fact, it’s because my aim is to find you addresses likely to make you melt with happiness. And this is one of them. Located right in the heart of Paris, just a few steps from the Tuileries Gardens and rue Saint-Honoré – in short, right in the^1st arrondissement – 19 rue Saint-Roch is a really cool restaurant. I’m taking the liberty of using this word, which in the end doesn’t mean much, but which sums up the whole atmosphere of the place. Cool for its spaced tables, cool for its high ceilings, cool for its bright room and cool for its counter around the kitchen. After tasting the l’Étoile Par Kys Marine oysters, salmon roe and yuzukosho seasoning, all served hot, it was the watercress soup accompanied by foie gras flat bread that caught our eye on this wintry day. A place to discover on your next stopover in Paris.