“Crabe Royal”
We have devoted several articles to this center of delicatessen that is the Place de la Madeleine with La Maison de la Truffe, Caviar Kaspia, and Maille. We could also cite Fauchon, Hédiard, and others.
We will talk about another establishment that is as chic as it is original, “Crabe Royal”, the last born of the Maison Kaspia, located just over 250 meters from the Relais Madeleine, at the corner of the square and the passage of the Madeleine.
This is the first restaurant in Paris that specializes in the Royal Crab. Gaspacho, spring rolls, soup, rillettes, verine, ceviches, salads, tartars, the crustacean is available on a large menu which is not exclusively centered on the Royal crab.
This giant crab belongs in reality to the same family as the Bernard Hermit Crab. It is called crab by misuse of language. In any case, it is the most sought after, but also the most expensive crab.
Originally from the Bering Sea between the extreme east of Russia and Alaska, the species was introduced by the USSR into the Barents Sea in the sixties. Despite a somewhat worrying growth, its fishery is nevertheless very controlled by Russia for economic reasons.
Unlike the crab, the royal crab cannot be bought alive. It is cooked on the fishing grounds and is immediately delivered. Its price is 5 to 6 times higher than that of the meal.
AN AMBIANCE OF LUXURY FISH SHOP
It is a chic “fishmonger” decor created by the architect Thomas Urquilo. The room is not too big and the atmosphere is refined. A few products for sale without qualifying the place as a delicatessen.
- The menu
It was conceived by Xavier Caussade, Chef of the Maison Kaspia. The menu is large and the majority of the dishes are mainly centered on the assembly and not on the transformation.
The prices are rather high but the service, the quality of the products, and the decor are worth it. The presentation is immaculate and the portions correct.
Some examples of what you can order: a royal crab ceviche, yuzu, lime, orange, and coriander (24 €).
As for French culture, we were less convinced by the rolls and hamburgers but it is a matter of taste.
We finally find a creative cuisine delivering a varied and refined menu that is mainly, but not only, centered on a product that is still largely unrecognized. To be discovered.
CRABE ROYAL
19, place de la Madeleine 75008 Paris
Tél : 33 (0)1 81 69 96 70
