Saint Nectaire cheese with mushrooms and cacao powder

I was introduced to Bistro Volnay, on rue Volney, by a friend who used to live at Hotel Park Hyatt Vendôme, in the back of it. It had become his “cantine” and I profited from it. He has left the hotel and the bistro has changed hands, but we went back anyway, on pilgrimage. And it was a great success.
The beautiful and quiet decor has not changed. The host, Philippe Marques, a sommelier trained at Lucas Carton and Prince de Galles hotel, is delightful and knowledgeable as is his deputy who recommended a fabulous white wine from the Vallée du Rhone, Saint Péray, les Pins from Domaine Gripa.

Philippe Marques and Oliver Bury, two sommeliers who are knowledgeable and understanding of customers’ tastes

To make sure I was not under the spell of my friend, I went back with someone else and had the same lasting impression of quality, no nonsense service and delicious food.

The decor is modest and warm

I started with “soupe de langoustine” which was totally excellent, and my friend had squid tagliatelle on watercress mousse. The cold crab starter was less exciting last time. We then both had “Ris de veau croquant” (sweetbread) which is out of this world. You can also choose fish or foie gras. And for dessert, we picked a cheese, Saint Nectaire served with mushrooms and a little bit of cacao powder. The colors, a range of beiges and browns are beautiful and the taste is overwhelming… A creation of Chef Thomas Moretto.

Desserts are not the high point of the restaurant, with little choice, but this might change in the future. The chocolate dessert is good, though not very pretty.

Customers are a mix of businessmen who like their food, lonely visitors from the hotel, and excited couples who are celebrating. The service is very friendly and discreet.

The Volnay on rue Volney concentrates on excellent wines and good modern food

We both congratulated ourselves on the dinner the next morning ! Next time I will try more wines since this is also a wine tasting place. For your information, Volnay wine is made near Beaune and Meursault, in Burgundy and Constantin François de Chasseboeuf, comte de  Volney, was a French philosopher who died in 1820. (from 70€ to 100€ depending on wines, 8 rue Volney near Place Vendôme)