Romantic dinner In Paris

[Arpey]

Later this year I will be traveling with the Mrs. to Paris & Cannes. For our last evening in Paris I am contemplating reservations at either Le Jules Vern or Tour D’Argent. In consideration of the views, the ambient settings, and the qualities of food and service does any one prefer one over the other, and for what reasons? Any other good “last supper” suggestions?

[Parishow]

Later this year I will be traveling with the Mrs. to Paris & Cannes. For our last evening in Paris I am contemplating reservations at either Le Jules Vern or Tour D’Argent. In consideration of the views, the ambient settings, and the qualities of food and service does any one prefer one over the other, and for what reasons? Any other good “last supper” suggestions?

I much prefer, for my clients and when I take friends who are visiting or celebrating something special, for an evening at the Les Ambassadeurs restauant (Michelin stared) in the Crillon Hotel. The setting is as if you are dining at Versailles. It's VERY romantic and you are treated like nobility. Ask for table 16, where it puts the Place de la Concorde and all of Paris at your feet.
It's not cheap, but it's probably the closest you'll ever come to dining at Versailles.

[Arpey]

I much prefer, for my clients and when I take friends who are visiting or celebrating something special, for an evening at the Les Ambassadeurs restauant (Michelin stared) in the Crillon Hotel. The setting is as if you are dining at Versailles. It's VERY romantic and you are treated like nobility. Ask for table 16, where it puts the Place de la Concorde and all of Paris at your feet.
It's not cheap, but it's probably the closest you'll ever come to dining at Versailles.

Hi, I was actually thinking of Les Ambassadeurs, Le Grand Véfour or Alain Ducasse during the first week we are in Paris. We then go to Cannes for the week-end and come back to Paris for one last evening for which I was debating Jules Verne vs Tour D'Argent.
Of the three, Les Ambassadeurs, Le Grand Véfour or Alain Ducasse, can I safely assume that you like the first the best?
On another note, it was years since I went to Maxim's. Have you been there in the recent past?
Thanks,

[uppercase]

I would not recommend Alain Ducasse in the Plaza Athenee, Paris.

While the food is just alright for a 3*, the atmosphere is sterile and a bit gloomy but what really spoiled the evening for me were the galoots at the next table - loud, obnoxious, English investment bankers who had to borrow their coats at the door.

I had a word with the Maitre D' about this lack of a dress code and while they apologized, they added that the Hotel required them accept any guest, regardless the dress.

Be forewarned.

[alden]

If you are focused on three star Michelins or others in that category, you would do well to visit Le Grand Vefour, Le Bristol or L’Ambroisie.

Le Grand Vefour at Palais Royal is a personal favorite. A restaurant for over 200 years and a protected French historical monument, you can choose the table favored by Napoleon, Balzac, Hugo or Cocteau. The 18th century décor is superb. The service is probably the best in Paris and the food is excellent. Back when Guy Martin had just started to bring the beautiful restaurant back to life and when it was a lowly 2 stars, the Vefour was a weekly experience, an oasis in the middle of Paris for yours truly. With the advent of the merited third star, the reservations filled fast and you still have to reserve at least a month in advance. The spontaneity of strolling the Palais Royal and dropping by for a meal was lost with Vefour’s fame.

For an elegant lunch, you could visit Le Bristol or Les Elysees du Vernet. There are many choices, but these two dining rooms are particularly pleasing.

For a romantic dinner, a late night reservation at L’Ambroisie followed by an early morning walk through the Place des Vosges, along the Seine to the Place Vendome, is very tough to beat.

[TVD]

I have had mixed reports about the food at the Tour d'Argent over the last few years.

Another candidate to consider would be Ambroisie.

Les Ambassadeurs is absolutely superb, by the way. Had lunch there in February which was faultless.

[Arpey]

Would a DJ be out of place in any of the restuarants mentioned, or is it more appropriate to wear a dark lounge suit?

[uppercase]

You would be the only diner wearing a DJ at these restaurants.

As indeed I was at Alain Ducasse!

Nevertheless, you will want to dress in your finest suit, if only for yourself and to enhance the occassion. You will however see many diners wearing coats but no tie in these 3* restaurants.

BTW, for a wonderful dining experience in Paris, one of the best that I've had, try the 2* restaurant Michel Rostang; definitely a couples restaurant in the evening, wonderful original sculptures and paintings, small dining rooms, subdued lighting, excellent service and food quality which easily compares with 3* restaurants. It also has the advantage of being less filled with tourists than the 3* restaurants, more of a Parisian insider restaurant. You will leave glowing.

[whittaker]

The advice given above is of sterling quality.

The food, atmosphere and service at Les Ambassadeurs are hard to top. My wife insists we visit each time we come to Paris.

Both of my experiences at Alain Ducasse in the Plaza Athenee have been poor. The food is dull, atmosphere unremarkable and it attracts boorish types "doing Ducasse".

[Arpey]

Has anyone been to Maxim's recently?

[aus_md]

I was at Michel Rostang last week, and confess to being a little disappointed with the food, but the service was excellent (though the sommelier was a little diffident at first). My preference is for Le Cinq, and especially recommend their tasting menu.

[uppercase]

Sorry to hear about Michel Rostang; my memories were very good indeed.

Anything in particular about the food which you didn't care for, or was it just generally disappointing compared to other meals or expectations?

Le Cinq is the restaurant in the hotel George V?

[aus_md]

Uppercase, I thought that the servings were rather too large and some of the textures and tastes incongruous without achieving a counterveiling balance. To my mind there were too many cream based dishes which made the meal seem too heavy and rich. The delivery of different courses was a little erratic - the sorbets arrived at the same time as the desserts, and I had the impression that dinners were being rushed. A french couple sitting beside me arrived half an hour after us, ordered identical dishes but were served coffee at the same time. Their courses were literally piling up on their table.

Le Cinq is the restaurant of George V, and dining there was an experience I shall remember for ever. I have been fortunate to have dined in some of the great restaurants, but this was in a class of its own.

[E. Tage Larsen]

Sadly, i've only managed one brief trip to Paris, for a romantic/Tour de France weekend. However, our evening meal was at Laurent. They have arguably the best chocolate soufflé in the city. It wasn't on that evenning's menu that but the chef consented after much flattery. It was a warm evening and we dined on the terrace, which made everything sublime. Very higly recommended.

http://www.le-laurent.com/us/index.htm

[rjman]

A private room at Laperouse is quite lovely.