![Golden Poppy Dominique Crenn Paris France](https://tinyurbankitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dsc3035-1200x911.jpg)
Imagine this: a California restaurant in Paris, started by a three-Michelin-star French female chef renowned for her eponymous establishment in the US. That’s right, Dominique Crenn has returned to her native France and launched her first more casual dining venue in the heart of Paris: Golden Poppy.
![Golden Poppy Dominique Crenn Paris France](https://tinyurbankitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dsc3005-1200x1486.jpg)
![Golden Poppy Dominique Crenn Paris France](https://tinyurbankitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dsc3041-1200x1597.jpg)
What’s interesting is that this restaurant showcases Californian style and ingredients, complete with a charming rooftop garden and a spacious area for family gatherings. There's also a reasonably sized counter with plenty of counter seating, which is where we chose to sit to catch all the culinary action up close.
TL;DR - A Summary of Our Thoughts
We absolutely loved our experience here. Perhaps it’s because it was a Sunday evening and the restaurant wasn't as crowded. Our server was exceptionally warm and extremely knowledgeable about the menu.
![Golden Poppy Dominique Crenn Paris France](https://tinyurbankitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dsc3023-1200x1401.jpg)
![Golden Poppy Dominique Crenn Paris France](https://tinyurbankitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dsc3026-1200x1638.jpg)
We also relished the "theater" of observing the kitchen staff meticulously preparing various dishes.
![Golden Poppy Dominique Crenn Paris France](https://tinyurbankitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dsc3024-1200x800.jpg)
Bryan remarked that it certainly brought back memories of America, evoking a sense of nostalgia for the type of "farm-to-table" creativity we find less frequently in Hong Kong. It's the emphasis on local, creatively crafted ingredients, with a menu that's constantly evolving.
Our Favorite Dishes
![Golden Poppy Dominique Crenn Paris France](https://tinyurbankitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dsc3013-1200x1075.jpg)
Cornbread "madeleines"
![Golden Poppy Dominique Crenn Paris France](https://tinyurbankitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dsc3016-1200x1124.jpg)
Oyster "special N° 2 Cadoret" with aguachile, parsnip milk, and oyster leaf (24 euros)
![Golden Poppy Dominique Crenn Paris France](https://tinyurbankitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dsc3039-1200x1142.jpg)
Citrus Kakigori (shaved ice), which was amazingly refreshing, yet also had a lovely balance from just a bit of cream.
The Food
![Golden Poppy Dominique Crenn Paris France](https://tinyurbankitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dsc3021-1200x1326.jpg)
Parker House rolls with condiments (21 euros) were highly recommended by our server, who claimed it as her favorite dish.
![Golden Poppy Dominique Crenn Paris France](https://tinyurbankitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dsc3022-1200x1354.jpg)
According to her, the French appreciate their bread, hence locals particularly enjoy this offering. While delicious, it was quite filling, and I might skip it next time to explore other dishes.
Gluten-Free Rice Noodles
![Golden Poppy Dominique Crenn Paris France](https://tinyurbankitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dsc3025-1200x1282.jpg)
Bryan was intrigued by the rice noodles with wakame seaweed butter and smoked trout roe (29 EUROS). The texture of the noodles was great, though I couldn’t quite wrap my head around the combination of butter sauce with rice noodles—a dish I typically associate with Asian cuisine.
![Golden Poppy Dominique Crenn Paris France](https://tinyurbankitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dsc3031-1200x1238.jpg)
I laud the efforts; it’s a great gluten-free option. Bryan loved it, and I must concede that the technique and execution was top notch.
![Golden Poppy Dominique Crenn Paris France](https://tinyurbankitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dsc3027-1200x1398.jpg)
We also ordered the "Whole Sea Bream, 'ikejime & dry-aged', with beetroot salad and condiments" (95 euros), a dish designed for sharing.
![Golden Poppy Dominique Crenn Paris France](https://tinyurbankitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dsc3028-1200x1395.jpg)
Dominique Crenn adopts a Japanese method of aging her fish, a practice somewhat at odds with traditional French culinary wisdom (which values fresh fish!).
![Golden Poppy Dominique Crenn Paris France](https://tinyurbankitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dsc3037-1200x648.jpg)
The fresh salad plus an array of pickles reminded me of a Korean-style bo ssam.
![Golden Poppy Dominique Crenn Paris France](https://tinyurbankitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dsc3038-1200x911.jpg)
Creating lettuce wraps was an ideal way to pair the robustly flavored grilled fish with the crisp lettuce, beets, and pickles.
![Golden Poppy Dominique Crenn Paris France](https://tinyurbankitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dsc3030-1200x1788.jpg)
![Golden Poppy Dominique Crenn Paris France](https://tinyurbankitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dsc3033-1200x1578.jpg)
![Golden Poppy Dominique Crenn Paris France](https://tinyurbankitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dsc3034-1200x1093.jpg)
It was delicious, though we were quite full by the end, perhaps due to ordering the equivalent of three entrées(!).
![Golden Poppy Dominique Crenn Paris France](https://tinyurbankitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dsc3036-1200x879.jpg)
Dessert
We declined dessert (we were genuinely too full!), yet they still sent over a citrus kakigori, served with Japonese citron yuzu "ice cream" and cédrat confit (11 euros).
![Golden Poppy Dominique Crenn Paris France](https://tinyurbankitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dsc3040-1200x986.jpg)
This (seemingly) simple dessert consisted of yuzu shaved ice topped with a rich whipped cream. It was refreshing light and a perfect way to end the meal. In fact, the dessert briefly transported me back to my Ohio childhood, reminding me of a slushie topped with soft-serve ice cream—a nostalgic yet elevated twist.
General Thoughts - Golden Poppy Dominique Crenn (Paris)
![Golden Poppy Dominique Crenn Paris France](https://tinyurbankitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dsc3032-1200x880.jpg)
In conclusion, I can’t say enough nice things about this restaurant. I’ve never had the opportunity to dine at Dominique Crenn’s three Michelin star restaurant in California, but I can deeply sense her personal expression in these dishes, an innovative approach to combining California’s creative and bold style with Japanese artistry and precision, and (of course) lots of edible flowers.
The service was exceptional, and our server, a university student working part-time, was particularly warm, friendly, and made us feel exceptionally welcome.
I’d happily come back again if I’m ever in Paris, despite the fact that it’s not French food!
Golden Poppy Paris - Dominique Crenn
Hotel La Fantaisie
24 Rue Cadet, 75009
Paris, France