Maison Mère Hotel Review, Paris

Restaurant Hey Honey nods to the hotel’s beehive theme and is headed up by Swiss-Columbian chef Santiago Guerrero. The menu fuses together French and South American influences with varying results; the dishes that really stand out are those that draw on Guerrero’s Columbian roots. The homemade pork terrine with pickles (€9/£7.50) and a deconstructed take on a chocolate tart with Valrhona ganache, shortbread and tarragon (€10/£8/50) are well-executed versions of the French classics, while the mushroom ravioli with hazelnuts (€19/£16) makes a passable veggie option. But it’s the more unusual tacos – cactus and 18-month comté (€12/£10) and pineapple and Sichuan pepper (€10/£8/50) – which excite and show off the chef's creativity. 

Behind the bar, the team has designed a creative and delicious menu of signature drinks inspired by our emotions. The rum-based Évasion is for those who want to get in the holiday mood (€15/£13) and manages to be on the right side of sweet and fruity while still packing a punch, whilst the more sombre Mélancolie (€15/£13) has more bitter and complex notes of mezcal, coffee, and vanilla. There’s also a selection of organic French wines and craft beers. 

The hotel breakfast sadly falls flat and the average quality buffet of pre-baked viennoiseries, packaged granola, yoghurt, cold meats and cheeses lacks the attention to detail found elsewhere in the hotel. As breakfast is not included, you’d be better heading out to explore. The nearby rue des Martyrs, which is just an eight-minute walk away, is lined with pastry shops. Try Rose Bakery for brunch, KB Coffee Roasters for excellent craft coffee and Babka Zana for takeaway brioches, rugelach, and rolls infused with orange blossom flower, pistachio, and chocolate.