L'Essentiel

This contemporary bistro is the HQ of Frenchman Charles Thuillant and Korean Mi-Ra Kim. The globetrotting couple, who met in Ze Kitchen Gallery, a temple of Franco-Asian cuisine, also has stints at Robuchon, Dupin and Chateaubriand under their apron strings. They however chose to open their restaurant in Deauville, where Charles spent his holidays as a child. Together, they conjure up vibrant, lively dishes in which Normandy country produce is mixed with perfectly judged Asian influences: cod and haddock fritters, piquillo pickles, velvety butternut, pan-fried foie gras and sesame, fried egg, mousse of white tarama and roe of flying fish, ravioli of marinated beef with mushroom stock…