Paris: Le Servan

Sister Tatiana (Chef) and Katia (Sommelier) Levha are the heart and soul of Le Servan, the definition of a contemporary neighborhood bistrot. Situated on a corner in the 11th, this pretty little gem is filled with sunlight & people-watching thanks to the floor to ceiling windows as well as laughter and good vibes from the locals. Their combined international childhood and work experiences from Manila, Hong Kong, Thailand & France guide them in creating a friendly family place as well as an affordable a la carte list of French classics with Southeast Asian flavors. The menu changes every day. You’ll find Sichuan peppercorn, Thai basil, sweet chili, smoked curry butter and pistachio lime butter alongside classics like bone marrow, duck baked in brioche, crispy-skin pork belly and sweetbreads. Tatiana’s polished yet unpretentious cuisine is rooted in their family stories and her time at L’Aperge & L’Astrance, while Katia’s wine list is made up of small independent producers. They choose to work directly with sustainable fisheries, farm breeders and wine growers and run the business as sustainably as possible. From the minute they opened back in 2013 they were a hit overnight, not only with locals but with the international press as well as being named a World’s 50-Best Discovery. It is extraordinarily popular with locals, so book in advance especially as it is open on Monday when most other places are closed.