Paris Insights - The Restaurant Review

Vin & Marée

posted March 31, 2025

71, avenue de Suffren

75007 Paris

Phone: 01.47.83.27.12

Metro Station: Ecole Militaire (Line 8)

Type of cuisine: French

Days & hours of operation: Monday through Sunday noon - 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Credit card: Visa, MasterCard, American Express

Finding myself in the Ecole Militaire quarter of the 7th arrondissement recently, I came upon a restaurant that serves seafood fare almost exclusively.  An aficionado of steamed mussels, I decided to enter and order dinner.

The menu
The restaurant offers a three-course menu called Le Grand Menu, priced at 39.50€.  It also offers a three-course lunchtime menu called Menu Déjeuner, priced at 26€.  Finally, there are three exclusive seafood menus ranging in price from 34€ to 38€.

Apart from the menu, the carte is quite extensive and mostly consists of seafood fare.  It lists nine starters ranging in price from 9€ to 21€, fifteen main courses from 17€ to 59€, and eight desserts from 4€ to 21€.

I ordered à la carte, because all I wanted was a glass of white wine and a serving of steamed mussels.

The amuse-bouche
After I placed my order, the waiter brought me a small dish containing four oblong-shaped, cheese-flavored puff pastries. 

The starter
I forewent the starter.

 The main course
Spotting Cocotte de moules, Frites fraîches Maison et beurre Vin & Marée on the menu, I determined to try that.

The waiter brought me a large metal casserole containing steamed mussels prepared in butter.  This ingredient surprised me because it added such unexpected flavor to the mollusks.  The piping-hot mussels were plump and tender and rested in a large pool of brine.  After I ate the mussels, I used chunks of fresh baguette, served alongside in a breadbasket, to sop up the remaining brine.

The serving of mussels turned out to be the most flavorful that I have ever eaten.  I realized at that moment that the mussels that I have been ordering in cafés were smaller and not as plump or tasty as the ones that I was served at this restaurant.

A bowlful of French fries was served alongside.  They were piping hot and appetizing, but they were served without a condiment.  Normally, fries are served with mustard, but I neglected to ask for it.

The beverage
For the beverage accompaniment, I asked the waiter for a glass of white wine.  He invited me to select from the wine list that he gave me.  I ordered a glass of Sauvignon called Saint-Bris from Bourgogne.  Served chilled, it was dry with mineral notes and a hint of citrus.  I found it to be quite refreshing and thought that it went well with the mussels.

The dessert
Having eaten a main course that was so rich in butter, I did not have any appetite for dessert.  I forwent the opportunity to order an intriguing dessert called Notre fameux Baba de Zanzibar au rhum Clément.

The bill
The bill for one, including a glass of wine and a main course, came to 25.50€.

The service
The service was friendly and helpful.

The ambience
The ambience of the restaurant is reposing.  In my mind, its dark green and brown tones made it look more like a lounge than a dining room.  The space is eclectically decorated with lampshades on the ceiling that resemble white-lobed pansies; wallpaper that depicts a river scene of storks, fishes, and frogs; a fabric-covered wall bench depicting braided grey, gold, blue, and ecru ribbons; and a carpet of blue and gold strands evoking the ripple effect of waves on a meandering river.

While I dined, relaxing lounge music played over the sound system. 

The menu is in French.  English is spoken.

The waitress told me that the restaurant can accommodate customers in wheelchairs.  However, the WC, located down a steep flight of stairs, is not accessible by wheelchair.

Travelers to Paris who visit the stately Ecole Militaire quarter (a neighborhood located in the vicinity of the Eiffel Tower) will enjoy stopping at the Vin & Marée restaurant for a seafood lunch or dinner.