Prior to my visit to The Whisk and Ladle in Williamsburg (New York), I never stepped into a home that sometimes became a restaurant even though that day I was there only for a CoWorking session.
It reminded me of what a Speakeasy might have been back in the days of prohibition.
I knew that such establishments existed in Italy and Asia.
It just happens that The Whisk and Ladle has a cousin in Paris, The Hidden Kitchen.
I might be late to the dance as I just read about them thanks to Stealthy dining: James Bond haute cuisine by Katrin Bennhold on Globespotters.
No loft here, this culinary adventure takes place in a sixth floor apartment and is run by two American graduates. Are they playing cat and mouse avec la police?
Same principles apply than those used by our friends in New York.
Request a seat by e-mail. They set the stage and the menu. If the food they serve tastes as good as the few shots they offer on their website (as the ‘ravioli at work’ illustrates here), it must be succulent.
You can bring your own wine. Only a limited number of Happy Few get selected.
The suggested contribution to culinary cause is 60 Euros per person.
They are not really underground as besides Globespotters and yours truly, our friend Clotilde of Chocolate and Zucchini showcased them.
Meg Zimbeck offered a detailed review of the Hidden Kitchen in words and pictures via Gridskipper in August.
A vos fourchettes!
Related Stories: Small is the New Big for ‘Restaurants’ like ‘The Whisk and Ladle’
Another American Culinary Outpost in the City of Light: An American Chef in Paris, Chef Daniel Rose got Spring