Paris restaurant Muscovado (named after a type of Filipino sugar and run by two Filipino sisters) opened in 2016 in the former Blues BBQ space near Bastille. There are no traces of the former Texas BBQ joint, and in its place is an intimate spot offering enticing brunch options and ridiculous desserts (in the best sense of the word).
Sisters Quina and Francine Lon run Muscovado together, and Quina previously worked at Au Passage and then Martin Boire et Manger as their pastry chef, and her talent really shines in these phenomenal and beautiful desserts.
Brunch
For brunch, the following options graced the menu: Granola, avocado toast with salsa verde, halloumi and a fried egg, smoked salmon with quail eggs, vanilla pancakes with bacon jam, asparagus and poached egg on toast with Hollandaise sauce, and a beloved breakfast burrito, hard to find in Paris.
Desserts
Desserts at Muscovado are a must, so check the board for the desserts du jour, all made in house of course. The menu on this day had a red currant cream tart, honey flan with strawberries and honeycomb, homemade Oreos with hot chocolate, and a cake du jour.
We had a red currant cream tart with pillowy muscovado meringue and candied hazelnuts.
Uh, yes. This tart was next level good. Look at the pillows of meringue just pillowing about like sugar clouds. There is obvious talent in the technique it takes to create pastry at this level, with all elements perfectly complimenting each other. It’s the kind of dessert that belongs in a 3 Michelin starred restaurant because of the quality, yes, but also because it’s like nothing else you’ve had.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a beautiful meal at high end restaurant, only to have the dessert end up uninspired and disappointing. These desserts could hold their own as the pièce de resistance to end a meal at the best of restaurants.
The other dessert we tried was honey flan with strawberries and honeycomb. The simple combination of flavors and textures, along with those herbs, just wowed. It was light and refreshing, like its sister dessert.
If you can grab a table outside on a sunny day, this makes a fantastic brunch spot or a perfect coffee/tea break. No matter what you get, order dessert. That is mandatory.
Thai Dinners
Added Bonus: Peter Orr, former chef of Martin Boire et Manger, is cooking authentic Thai dinners on weekends this summer at Muscovado. They normally close at 5pm, but will be open weekends for the thai dinner series. Call to reserve.
Muscovado
Hours:
Monday | 9AM–5PM |
Tuesday | Closed |
Wednesday | 9AM–5PM |
Thursday | 9AM–5PM |
Friday | 9AM–5PM |
Saturday | 10AM–5PM |
Sunday | 10AM–5PM |
Thoughts? Comments? Let me know!