Chilam Bastille

May 9, 2019

by Abdón FLORES

Lucia and Juan come from places far away from one another -Italy and Mexico- but that are close between them since both cultures posses a rich gastronomy and a particular devotion for food. A couple of years ago they decided to launch a restaurant involving Mexican cuisine and gastronomy. This project found a name on “Chilam” and a concept under “GastroBar“. At the time the place was small and cosy, and it had the omen of a tasty touch and a good service. More projects were on the minds of both entrepreneurs including a larger venue in the same district. Nowadays, those projects have found their reality.

Chilam Bastille is a restaurant and a cocktail bar inspired on one of Mexico’s most famous icons: Frida Kahlo, and her house known as “The Blue House”. The Oaxaca cuisine is a mandatory issue on the menu, such as one of Frida’s favorite dishes, “Mole Oaxaqueño”, but made with duck instead of chicken. It is on these details that one can find the gastronomical research displayed by Chilam team. Coriander sauce, chestnut and apple purée, duck “barbacoa”, grilled pinneaple salad, blue tortillas, homemade chips, an oven with lava stones as heat conveyors are some of the details that make the experience.

Mezcal is another theme in Chilam’s DNA. The bar relies on it. Artisanal spirits as Bruxo are the essence of a well assembled Margarita or a promising “Vuelve a la vida” (Come back to life), a cocktail including hibiscus and pear liquor. And of course, Mexican beer and homemade guacamole dressed with pommegranate. In fact, this single entry will give you a hint on the food quality. It must be said that Chilam Bastille recalls the ambience of an atelier’s painter; the place is bathed with light illuminating a Frida’s portrait mounted on an easel. In a quiet street of a rather unknown Paris (rue Brissac), this small corner of Mexico is definetly a must go address.