Steam Bar: the glamorous dim sum club in Saint-Germain
On the corner of a small cobbled street in the 6th arrondissement, a red halo filters through the hanging lanterns.
Welcome to Steam Bar, the chic, subdued address that takes you straight from Saint-Germain in Hong Kong. In this well-appointed setting of dark wood, exposed stone and hushed jazz, it's easy to forget Paris.
Here, the steam rises from bamboo baskets and the bites are designed like jewels.
Dim sum that flirts with haute couture
THE chef Chi Cheung Wongtrained in the finest establishments (Shangri-La, among others), composes mouthfuls that are as elegant as they are explosive.
Each piece is a mini-experience: the Black Pearl, prawn hakao with ginger in a creamy sesame broth, or the Little Hanoi, beef siu mai twisted with cinnamon and star anise.
Special mention must go to the Sechuan Lovers, a ravioli that's well-balanced between spicy and fragrant, tickling your taste buds without making you break a sweat (chef, we still want a bit more, though).
Visit veggie ? The Blue Lotus (taro, cabbage, rhubarb) is as pretty as it is tasty. <
And if you really want to take flight, try the Steam Tower (€31 at lunchtime): an assortment of steam in heavenly staircase mode.
A short, sharp... and not cheap menu
Portions are often small and can be shared or added together.
What are the prices? Account between €9 and €12 for three dim sums, €14 to €17 for hot dishes.
The steamed aubergine with miso (€9) is clearly worth the diversions, but the bao chashu divided the editorial team: a little dry, a little timid.
Desserts can wait. Instead, opt for a house cocktail (around €15) like the Taipei Soul with Taiwanese whisky infused with sesame and pear: a sweet, fragrant slap in the face.
An atmosphere worthy of a Wong Kar Wai film
Designed by Gabriel Pistre, the décor is a mix of old Hong Kong and ultra-stylish jazzy bar.
0Subdued lighting, an XXL counter and tightly-packed tables that invite you to talk... You soon realise that this is not a canteen.
Conclusion the perfect spot for a dateA chic birthday party or an evening out with friends who want to 'eat beautifully'. And if the bill quickly climbs, at least you'll leave with a souvenir in your mouth (and some great Instagram stories).
Why do we love it?
- Original, well-balanced and really tasty dim sums
- A sublime decor, a cross between glamorous Shanghai and a cocktail bar
- Cocktails that pop as much as the bites
- A Steam Tower to share that ticks all the boxes
- A truly intimate and elegant atmosphere, far from the hustle and bustle of Saint-Germain
Practical information
- Address: 2 rue du Sabot, 75006 Paris
- Telephone: 01 45 48 96 65
- Opening times: Daily, 12 noon to 2.30pm and 7pm to 10.30pm
- Website : steambar.fr
A chic and creative dim sum bar in a cinema setting, Steam Bar offers a real moment of escape. Not necessarily for every day, but ideal for an evening when everything has to be perfect.
