Romantic dinner In Paris

[uppercase]

Ah...there are so many wonderful restaurants to try in Paris.

But to read that Le Cinq is in a class of its own is high praise indeed!

I dropped into the George V for a drink last month, but it never occurred to me to have dinner at the restaurant.

What a pity!

[aus_md]

Uppercase, make sure to reserve in advance - dinners in the weekends are booked for a month or so, lunches are a fairly easy. The maitre'd took us for a tour of the kitchens, and then we accompanied the sommelier into the cellars - would that I had been a little more sober at that stage because it was a highlight.

[uppercase]

Lunch is great for me - I prefer lunches. Don't much care for long dinners anyway.


The best way to enjoy France is slightly drunk. I think that it's the best way to fit right in and get with the swing of things.

Sounds as if Le Cinq treated you very, very well. That personal treatment always distinguishes a good experience from a great one.

I guess the food was pretty good too.....? It's now a 3* restaurant isn't it?

[aus_md]

Yes, it is 3* now. There were so many little service and culinary flourishes that I should wax on for hours given half a chance. I'll be back there in September. I have promised the sommelier an obscure but excellent Barrossa Valley Shiraz to reward his attentions. The phrase coals to Newcastle comes to mind.

[jekarwoski]

I'd suggest Guy Savoy who has a particularly deep respect for his ingredients. Friends with
stellar palates also recommend Pierre Gagnaire. Decor at both is a bit on the contemporary
side.

[BirdofSydney]

Though he is given to hyperbole and digression, I always have found Francis Bown's reviews to be worth reading (http://www.bownsbest.com)

What never fails to amuse me is his indifference to expense. Inevitably when writing of a 4,500 Euro hotel suite, he will "adjugde the asking price to be excellent value!" Ah, one day...

Best,

Eden

[Marabunta]

In the last century, I had dinner on the Bateau Mouche. It was very lovely, mostly for the views of Paris at night.

[DD MacDonald]

I've not been in Paris for years but my favorite restaurant was the Grande Vefour in the Palais Royale. I've dreamt about the cheese course and the Alsatian almond cake served with coffee for years.

Reaching way back into the gray matter, I also recall a wonderful meal at Giles Epie's restaurant Etoile. Not as decked out as Vefour was 10 years ago, but Epie was a young master. His beignet de foie gras was sublime.

Bon Appetit!