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| Soleil
d'Est.
It took "M.
Chen" 27 years, but he made it: he is the first Chinese chef to finally
enter the Michelin guide with a star. It is about time. "French"
Chinese restaurants have always been a sad affair. Opening a restaurant
was a business to survive for many Chinese who came to France. But M. Chen
is a real chef. As a small boy in Shangai, he started cooking for his family.
When Mao's Cultural Revolution was threatening everyone, his parents smuggled
him to Hong Kong to learn the craft. In 1972, he came to France to see what
French cuisine was all about. Six years ago he opened his first restaurant
in the capital and in 1999, he was awarded his first star. The food is like
no other Chinese restaurant on the Continent. But to taste it, you need
to reserve way in advance. The 45 "couverts" are booked solid
for days. 15, Rue du Théâtre. 15th. Open until 11pm. Closed Sun. Tel: 01 45 79 34 34. Metro: Bir Hakeim. |