Ave Maria

Time Out says

Tue Jun 26 2012

This is one of Time Out's 100 best bars in Paris. Click here to see the full list.

You go to the Ave Maria to have a good nosh with your mates, squeezed between your neighbours at the table. As you enter, you’ll blink first of all at the psychedelic décor, featuring Latina Virgin Marys and Hindu goddesses. Next, you’ll be made rapt by the copious menu. Ave Maria’s speciality is to take you taste buds around the world – try out the original Himalaya Dream (delicious grilled chicken with turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, red lentils, split peas, coconut milk, mint, basmati rice and salad), the Indian Ocean (a creole dish to sweep you off your feet), the Women on Top (a spin on the traditional Brazilian feijoada stew)… if you can manage to make a choice. The house also proposes a range of foreign beers and surprising exotic cocktails like the Aguas Borobora (a cocktail with mango, rose, vodka and champagne). We only regret that the service isn’t nicer, and also the eternal wait for a table at the weekends (no reservations). Doesn’t take credit cards.

By CG/EH