Kitsuné: means “fox” in Japanese. According to legend, the fox is a mythical animal which has the power to change its appearance according to its desires. A bit like Gildas Loaëc and Masaya Kuroki, the founders of the Franco-Japanese brand Maison Kitsuné which is definitely on all fronts: ready-to-wear (Maison Kitsuné), musical label (Kitsuné Musique) and cafes (Café Kitsuné).
Barely opened last February, the Kitsuné Vertbois café attracted espresso lovers and the curious, amused by the enormous and gleaming Probat roasting machine. Made of steel and brass, the “beast” swallows, once a week, 190 kilos of green coffee to produce perfectly roasted coffee with the perfect grind.
Far from overly acidic or bitter beverages, the house has carved out a fine reputation, from Tokyo to Shanghai and via New York Paris, with its signature “blend”, balanced and round, with spicy notes, aromas of cocoa, peach, even bergamot.
In this Haut-Marais address, it is up to artisan roaster Florian Decousser to promote the blend of Mococa beans from Brazil and Libertad, from Guatemala.
Behind the counter, Ben, an Australian from Melbourne, serves “petits noirs” but also hot chocolate (Valrhona), mocaccino, flat white, chai latte.
All accompanied by cookies, pistachio financiers, brownies, lemon and poppy seed cake (€5 per slice). Without forgetting their famous fox shortbread (€3,50). The sachet of ground coffee costs €8 per 100 grams.
Text: Katia Barillot – Instagram
Photos: ©Café Kitsuné
19.03.21
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