On my last visit to Paris, I visited Nosso, a restaurant by Brazilian chef Alessandra Montagne. For 24 years in the City of Lights, she has led four restaurants in Paris and has even been honored by President Emmanuel Macron. Nosso is in the modern 13th district, an address praised by gastronomic guides and off the tourist trail. It has an intimate and sophisticated atmosphere and offers French cuisine with Brazilian touches. Therefore, it manages to win the taste and hearts of visitors, both French and foreign. Read the post until the end to learn about the trajectory of this talented Brazilian cook with a successful career in France.
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Ours: restaurant with a Brazilian chef in Paris
Located in the 13th district, Nosso is discreet and offers exquisite cuisine. With a relaxed atmosphere, the restaurant presents a tasting menu with dishes inspired by the chef's childhood, where she learned to cook with her grandmother in Minas Gerais. Therefore, following this Brazilian influence, Alessandra took to Paris seasoned coxinhas with spicy mayonnaise, broccoli and leeks, an excellent bean broth, as well as a delicious grilled lobster with zucchini and cashew nuts. “French cuisine at heart, with Brazilian touches”, says Alessandra.
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On Nosso's menu, the highlights are the tomato variations with raw oyster and tomato water. For dessert, the confit coin and ice cream, the cardamom mousse and the iced marshmallow with coffee bark flavor are a hit.
The restaurants
In charge of four restaurants in Paris, Alessandra makes a point of getting to know her suppliers, as she values the quality of her products. In addition to her, however, two other Brazilian employees share the open kitchen at Nosso, which is versatile and open for both lunch and dinner. When crossing the street, Alessandra arrives at her other restaurant, Tempero. With a more casual atmosphere, Tempero, which also houses a delicatessen, presents a different proposal from the Brazilian chef's other three restaurants in Paris. In addition, Alessandra also designs the menu at Dana, a Mediterranean restaurant in the sophisticated Saint Honoré region, and Little Tempero which is located in the 6th district, close to the Luxembourg Gardens.
A brief history of Alessandra Montagne
Alessandra was born in the Vidigal Community, in the South Zone of Rio, and lived with her grandmother in Poté, a small town in Minas Gerais. So, in 1999, she decided to escape the problematic life she lived in Brazil and, at the age of 22, start a new phase in Paris, where her mother already lived. She arrived in Europe with little structure, but fought to reinvent herself.
Alessandra then began learning French and working in professions outside the gastronomic world. In 2008, at the age of 30, she decided to enroll at the Jean Drouant culinary school. She completed internships with chefs William Ledeuil, from Ze Kitchen Galerie, and Adeline Gattard, from Yam'Tcha. However, her great mentors are the award-winning Alain Ducasse and Yannick Alléno.
Alessandra Montagne is a mother and, like a traditional Brazilian, fought for her dreams. Today, as a renowned chef, Montagne has become the pride of the locals for her achievements, in addition to taking Brazil to the world. In fact, in November 2022, Alessandra came to participate in Mesa São Paulo, an event that brings together renowned national and international chefs.
Alessandra said that she does not rule out the possibility of returning to live in Brazil, but states that her life is already well structured in France. Long live Brazilian chefs, who take our country’s cuisine to the world!
October 2023.
Text and Photos: Renata Araújo
Collaboration: Leonardo Marchetti
