If there’s something I’m failing rather miserably every month, it’ll inevitably be related to my food budget. More precisely, I’m eating out more than I should and as a result, I’ve busted my eating out budget more often than I dare to count. Good thing, or not? (Pssst: I’ve been transferring my wardrobe budget towards food, so I am just a wee bit very proud that I haven’t been out shopping for months!)

Clearly, either way, I have a hard time resisting the siren call of all the wonderful eating places in the City of Light. Last weekend, after putting in some “not drowning” time in the pool for the first time since we moved, Chloé and I went for a lovely, albeit pricey, brunch at Colorova. Located just off the stretch of the street where I used to live, I’ve been there for afternoon tea break and for breakfast too, but never for lunch nor brunch, so my curiosity was piqued as to the kind of savoury fare they serve.

We still started our meal with something on the sweeter side. I could never resist their luscious French toast, served with four different jams/spreads – chestnut, salted butter caramel, forest fruits and strawberry for this visit, while Chloé opted for viennoiserie and bread. Accompanied with a hot drink each, as well as freshly squeezed OJ, we polished off our plates rather quickly. Before we switched to the more savoury “mains”, we also had a small bowl of fruit compote with light-as-air whipped cream.

A small mixed-up by the staff meant we waited a little longer for our savoury courses to be served. First up, a rather delicious and silky homemade beef ravioli. I wished there were more than just two ravioli though. It felt like a tease, and at half-way point of a brunch, I did not appreciate that feeling of having barely eaten… When the soup with pan-fried prawns and anchovy was presented, given its portion, I was really very glad that the waiter had graciously refilled the bread basket because I needed them to keep my tummy happy!

The menu that I’ve chosen also included a choice of pastry for dessert (plus another glass of freshly prepared juice), which gave us an opportunity to ooh and aah over the selection at the front of the shop. It was the magic of these delectable sweets that brought me back, time and time again, to Colorova. As Chloé had never tried their pastries before, she had the honour of choosing the one we would share. We ended up with a melt-in-your-mouth chocolate cake, lifted by freshness of lime.

Is it worth spending €35 for what I’ve ordered (Chloe’s menu came up to €28)? It’s tipping just slightly towards no. Don’t get me wrong – given the quality of the food, the price could be somewhat justified; if only the quantity was not quite so meager. I actually ended up snacking at home that afternoon, something I very rarely do… I’ll keep this spot as one for casual dessert/hot chocolate meet-up place with friends, but unlikely to go back for a main meal of the day. C’est dommage.

Colorova
47 rue de l’Abbé-Grégoire, 75006 Paris
Métro: St Placide
Tel: +33 (0)1 45 44 67 56
Daily except Monday, 9.00am (except Tuesday 10.00am) – 6.00pm