Organic French rosé and a Vegan Antipasti
Soya in Paris is not advertised with flashing lights or creatively crafted signs. This urban chic organic restaurant is located just steps away from the loud buzz of Place de la République, but its eaters have to step off the beaten path to find it. As I scrambled to find the restaurant on a summer night, suddenly the noise of the lively locals watching football in the square turned to a quick hush as I slipped down the side street to the discreet doors of the restaurant. I quietly stepped inside, and my hungry belly was instantly satisfied to see the crowd of happy diners smiling between bites of delicious plant-based cuisine.
With its high ceilings, homey wooden benches, classic white décor, and cheery candle lights, the cozy restaurant is as inviting as an old friend’s loft. Rumor has it that space previously housed a workshop, and the calm, creative feel remains hanging in the air.
Soya’s owner, Christel Dhuit, was raised in the countryside of France, and her compassion for the land is evident in the vegetarian, 99% organic selection of ingredients for the restaurant. Her love of carefully-raised vegetables combined with her exposure to Korean, Japanese, and Thai cooking in the 8 years that she spent in New Zealand to inspire her to create the plant-based fusion food that makes Soya unique. Since the restaurant’s opening in 2007, Dhuit has gradually introduced more and more vegan and gluten-free staples to the menu – a progressive transition that has mirrored the acceptance of alternative diets in Paris.
Soya is best known for its hearty, healthy weekend brunch buffet. Their weekend menu includes everything from samosas to spring rolls to French-style tarts – each made from a colorful selection of organic vegetables. The weekend brunch remains on my personal Paris bucket list, but I was lucky enough to have a taste of Soya’s dinner menu while my family visited me in the city.
This special occasion meal began with their “Vegan Antipasti”, a variety plate of appetizers that included house-made hummus, raw vegetables, marinated tofu, and an eggplant baba ghanoush. This was accompanied by Soya’s veggie ball “Soyafels” and French organic rosé.
Vegan Homemade Garam Masala
After my palate was primed by our Middle Eastern appetizer, I dove into an Indian-inspired vegan Homemade Garam Masala, which was a curry of creamy cashew coconut sauce with Thai rice, seasonal vegetables, sautéed local mushrooms, fresh ginger, and lemon zest.
A lush chocolate cake was the Vegan Patisserie of the Day
After an evening of laughter and tremendous plant-based tastes, I finally ended the meal with a true treat. The vegan patisserie of the day was a lush chocolate cake that was devoured within seconds between bites from my family’s four forks. As the waiters cheerily waved my family away, I felt sensationally satisfied with a heavy belly and a light heart. Soya is a truly delicious special occasion location for all types of eaters.
About the author: Lacey Gibson is a global health researcher, a food writer, and a Vinyasa yoga teacher. She recently graduated with a Masters of Science in Global Health Population from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Here, she also served as a Food Literacy Project Fellow, coordinating community events to inspire education of the food system. Prior to her Masters, she graduated in 2015 with a BA/BS in French and Physiology from Southern Illinois University, where she also competed as an NCAA DI track/cross country runner. Throughout her career, Lacey’s work has been published in academic journals, such as the Journal of Wine Research and the International Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities. She is also a regular contributor to writings for a wider wellness-interested audience, such as UNDO Ordinary, I Am Woman Project, and Skin In The Game. For a full taste of her writing style, keep up with her here.
