Les Voûtes de la Major have officially welcomed Forest Marseille, the new restaurant of Parisian chef Julien Sebbag, since the 1st March 2023.
Between the Mucem and the Panier and facing the Mediterranean, the chef invites local artisans and producers around a solar menu inspired by his travels, those spent in the Middle East or in southern Spain. In his cuisine, the 4 elements (air, earth, sea & fire) intertwine to form an unusual menu, from appetizers to desserts. I tasted the "Eau" cocktail (photo on the left below), made up of rum, italicus with bergamot, pear juice, star anise and cardamom syrup and lemon juice.
The menu also offers delicious non-alcoholic cocktails, as in the photo below.
In terms of decor, Forest Marseille is a restaurant with a clay, ochre, orange colour. Facing the staircase leading to the kitchens upstairs, a large fresco welcomes visitors. Designed by the Marseilles artist Florent Groc, it is a tribute to the universe of the Marseille city, with a nod to the Cosquer cave.
I had the pleasure of dining on one of the round tables under the blue-grey alcoves of the interior room, reminiscent of the vaults of La Major, in an atmosphere that is both Hispanic and oriental.
The menu reflects the different facets of Marseille culture. There are squid snacked a la plancha, deglazed with Pastis, seasoned with oregano and parsley chimichurri, paella with langoustine bisque or red tuna tartare.
Among the chef's specialties, I was able to test the sage butter candle, placed on a mashed peas with mint...delicious, the Challah (traditional Jewish bread, rich in consistency, close to brioche but without butter), made in collaboration with the Marseille bakery T65 or the eponymous dish A Forest, based on oyster mushrooms flambéed with Mezcal.
The culinary journey ends on a few sweet notes with the Baba au Pastis and its light fennel cream, the chocolate and harissa mousse served under a thyme crumble or the rhubarb tart.
To give you an order of prices, starters are around 11€, dishes vary between 24€ and 42€, desserts between 9€ and 11€, classic cocktails are at 11€, signature cocktails at 14€ and non-alcoholic cocktails are 8€.
I advise you to book your table in advance via their website.
Address: 4 boulevard Jacques Saade, 13002 Marseille.
Open every day, noon and evening.
Comentários