A DINNER AT HALO IN THE HEART OF PARIS

words by MARIE-PAULINE CESARI 

Going to Halo felt like a full-circle moment for me — it’s located on Rue Saint-Sauveur in Paris, the very street where I used to live when I called this city home. Nestled inside an 18th-century hôtel particulier, the space blends history with modern minimalism, thanks to the delicate touch of designer Lucie Rosenblatt. You first step onto a plush green carpet and pass through a curated concept store before discovering, slightly hidden to the left, the restaurant space — bathed under a stunning glass pyramid ceiling. The atmosphere feels intimate, thanks to its soft candlelight and warm design accents. 

We started with three different entrées to share, and each set the tone beautifully.
The amberjack tartare with smoked oil, garlic cream, and tangy kohlrabi was fresh and elegantly balanced — the kind of dish that wakes up your palate.
The purple artichoke salad with saffron oil and tarragon espuma was light but flavorful, and almost too pretty to touch. 
And last but not least, the flame-seared beef tagliatelle with txistorra cream— bold, smoky, and deeply satisfying.

For the mains, we went all in. The slow-cooked shoulder of lamb from the South-West was melt-in-your-mouth tender, with a barbecue-style jus that played off the herbs and baby leeks. 
But the grilled octopus, served with a punchy spianata picante jus, rocket and fennel salad, and garlic croutons, was my favorite— perfectly cooked and full of character.

Honestly, every plate felt like a small performance:  precise, confident, and generous.

Then came dessert, and I’m not exaggerating when I say they were absolute showstoppers.
The crispy almond-hazelnut with praline, chantilly, and amaretto ice cream was pure indulgence — the kind of dessert you don’t want to share (but we did.)
But the real surprise was the dark chocolate namelaka, layered with roasted pistachio purée, Timut pepper chantilly, and a delicate pear confit. 

We also had a dangerously good mezcal cocktail, smoky and herbaceous, which tied in perfectly with the Southern energy of the menu.

While looking for the bathroom, I stumbled into Heclipse — sherry on top of the place: HALO’s hidden cocktail bar and micro club. Designed by Crosby Studios, it’s intimate and immersive, with a sleek sound system by Palladium Audio. The music is loud, but the acoustics are so sharp you can still hold a conversation — the perfect vibe for meeting people and staying late.

Halo is a place that somehow merges past and present, indulgence and elegance, all in one poetic (and romantic) breath.