Article by Audrey of Audrey Meets World

Homies restaurant is located in the middle of the Marais on a narrow, low-traffic street near the Saint Paul metro. It’s touted as serving Peruvian plates accompanied by French wines in a Brooklyn-esque atmosphere. Here, everything is homemade and based on the sumptuous, well-developed flavors, and I believe it.

I found this spot by accident while running a few weeks ago. After seeing macaroni and cheese on the menu, I knew I had to return to try this almost-impossible-to-find-in-Paris dish.

And return I did. Last Saturday a friend and I stopped by for lunch. Upon arriving, I was delighted by the deconstructed interior. The plywood bar, chalkboard drink list, exposed pipes, and hanging light bulbs created a casual, industrial-chic and cozy atmosphere.

Space is at a premium upstairs, with about ten seats at the bar and seven tables accommodating about 25 diners. Our waiter indicated that there is a room downstairs with additional seating, but it’s only open during dinner.

After settling in at the high top table, a quick glance at the menu showed that the macaroni and cheese was an appetizer and that it was served in fried cubes. Being somewhat of a macaroni and cheese purist, I was a bit taken aback by this presentation, but the initial shock morphed into delight after tasting these savory bites. They were served with a semi-sweet teriyaki-like sauce for dipping. The waiter was very coy about the recipe as it’s a closely-held house secret.

For the main dish, my dining companion ordered one of Homie’s specialties—the Asian ceviche. Her plate came loaded with raw salmon in a soy sauce-based marinade, accompanied by sliced ginger, radishes and sesame seeds. Homie’s prides itself on its fusion dishes and this dish is certainly a unique take on this traditionally Peruvian dish.

The flavors worked well together and brought to mind deconstructed sushi, but the fish wasn’t as fresh as it should be for a ceviche. Delicious, lightly-seasoned fries and a mixed salad topped with a tahini-based dressing accompanied the fish. Although the side dishes were tasty, I found the pairing with the fish bizarre.

I, perhaps feeling a bit homesick of the US of A, went with the Philly cheese steak sandwich. The sliced beef served with peppers, onions, and mushrooms, topped with emmental cheese and served on a baguette was full of flavor and immediately comforting. I, too, was served fries and can easily say these are the best I’ve eaten after being in France for a year.

Neither of us had room for dessert, but I certainly considered forcing myself to try the lime cheese cake. As we sipped our Bordeaux, we marveled at Homies’ décor, which is industrial chic mixed with homey touches. White walls with exposed silver piping, hanging light bulbs, and a plywood bar anchor the restaurant.

I particularly enjoyed the cute design touches like the IKEA-esque deer head, the handwritten cocktail menu, and the spice jars decorating the bar. It seems that every detail was considered when decorating the space, resulting in a cozy-cool atmosphere.

Homie’s has one of the most unique menus I’ve seen in Paris and is a great spot if you’re looking for a different vibe in the city. I would love to go back at night to try some of the cocktails and to enjoy the downstairs area.

Homies

26, Rue Beautrellis

75004 Paris

Tel: 09 80 41 05 40