I visited La Mosquée on a Rick Steves' recommendation, and it was such a unique dining experience…read moreon our recent Paris trip. The restaurant, set inside a stunning mosque across the street from Jardin des Plantes, is hard to miss. I had made a reservation for an early dinner, and we were seated inside the mosque. Upon arriving, we actually had to find a new table since the restaurant's resident cat was sprawled across the couch, taking an afternoon nap.
When we were settled in, we ordered the tagine with beef meatballs; couscous with chicken; and eggplant and carrot salad. Everything paired so well together. The tagine was incredibly flavorful - it tasted as if it had been simmering for hours. The couscous, stew, and chicken all arrived on separate platters - it was a little awkward to serve, but the sum of parts was delicious. The chicken was tender and juicy, and the vegetable stew was the optimal accompaniment. The tangy carrot and eggplant salad provided a source of brightness to the meal. Dining in the beautiful setting of the mosque-restaurant added to the overall charm of the experience.