I would say that tonight at Jean Imbert at PA was among my (our) least favorite Michelin meals. (we often base trip around destination restaurants). We didn't do the full tasting, as we usually do, as it ran 546Euro (and this is only a one star). Food was well prepared but the most interesting course was the amuse bouche. We had the caviar brioche, which was exceptional. The foie gras artichoke dish was not particularly good. Why artichoke? I love artichoke but did not like this foie gras, which was extra creamy and had a subtle flavor. We then did the truffle chicken (right down the middle of the fairway, but not interesting or exploratory) and the game bird pie, which was excellent. Very stuffy with a wine list entirely built on Bordeaux and Burgundy. The staff put on white cloth gloves to fold a guest's napkin if they got up. Yet was such attention to detail. There's still were some pretty major service, lapses, and wine service irregularities. I think they have two pastry chefs, who are well highlighted, but I guess is chef Imbert is not regularly involved. We found a 2010 Faively Nuit St George for a veritable bargain price (relative to the rest of the menu) for 415Euro. But the dishes were so heavy that we again were not comfortable at the end of the meal and we had only two ordered courses. I don't think the game bird should have shot left in it. We showed it to the staff and they said it "happened all the time". This is poor preparation. I hunt and cook quail and pheasant and this almost never happens to me. One just has to look for the shot when preparing the meat. This could damage the tooth of an unsuspecting person. Two pastry chefs were on-hand and featured prominently. My guess is that Imbert helped with the menu. I will not return. Palais de Plaza Athenee was much better at half the price and Pavyllon was far better read more

Jean Imbert au Plaza Athénée - French Near Me

Jean Imbert at the Plaza Athénée is a visual masterpiece. From the moment you step through the doors, it feels like you've walked onto the set of a high-budget period film--or a Parisian Disney fantasy. The grandeur is immediate: glittering crystal chandeliers, gold finishes in every direction, and a dramatically long communal table that anchors the room like a stage. It's theatrical, opulent, and thoroughly Instagrammable. The staff only added to the ambiance--young, polished, and modelesque in their appearance, with service that was attentive without being overbearing. I genuinely appreciated their warmth and professionalism, which was consistent throughout the evening. But when it comes to the menu, the enchantment begins to unravel. Jean Imbert offers a €340 tasting menu--"Le Menu de Jean"--which is presented as a complete surprise. While I love a culinary adventure and had no qualms about not knowing what was coming, the lack of a wine pairing option with a mystery menu feels like a major oversight. How can even the most seasoned wine enthusiast choose the right bottle without knowing what's being served? We summoned the sommelier for guidance, and to his credit, he rose to the challenge. He selected a 145€ bottle that paired fairly well across the board, and his professionalism impressed me. But this is a workaround for a problem that shouldn't exist at this level. Another misstep? The bread. So much bread. I've dined in many Michelin-starred restaurants, and I don't think I've ever seen so much of it. There were multiple varieties served up front, followed by additional bread throughout the meal--enough to make it feel more like a bakery experience than a fine dining one. To make matters more confounding, one of the most visually creative dishes--the "Marie Antoinette"--was essentially an artistic homage to... more bread. A thick piece of brioche-like toast encased a warm egg yolk, topped with a dollop of caviar. I understood the conceptual layering--egg within egg within egg--but what landed was bread on bread on bread. Visually clever? Yes. Satisfying? Less so. Not everything missed the mark. A starter soup was delicate and well-balanced, and the poached lobster was a highlight--though the accompanying lobster sausage, while inventive, felt like an unnecessary twist. Lobster doesn't need to be a sausage. Sometimes creativity is best reined in. By dessert, we were overwhelmed. Not just full--stuffed. The pacing of the meal left little breathing room, and the dessert course felt like an onslaught rather than a finale. At a certain point, no matter how exquisite the patisserie, there's simply no space left. In the end, it's a tale of two experiences. The setting and service are world-class. The food, while occasionally memorable, felt inconsistent--more focused on aesthetic flourish than flavor harmony or pacing. For a one-star Michelin, it's a respectable showing, but not yet a destination-worthy experience. There's potential here, no doubt. But until they fine-tune the tasting menu concept and rethink the bread obsession, Jean Imbert's vision may remain more beautiful than it is satisfying. Still, as you step out onto Avenue Montaigne and catch a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower twinkling in the distance, you'll be reminded that in Paris, the setting alone can carry the night. read more

Such a beautiful place' the service was wonderful! The most delicious hot chocolate is to die for! The sampler is wonderful. They give you sweet and savory! Next time we want to eat one savory then one sweet. Because eating all savory or all sweet was too much. You have to try this lovely place next time you are in Paris! read more

We came here on a date night in the city and do not regret it. The only part that I regret is the timing in which we came. I was a few weeks pregnant then and could not eat all of the beautiful things I wanted to eat, which was disappointing. I see a few comments here that have had not-so-great experiences, and I cannot relate. We had a fantastic experience here, and I loved every moment. The staff was amiable, the food was excellent, and served with such beauty! What makes it Michillen star is the presentation, which is partly what you are paying for. The service was excellent. When we arrived, we told them we were expecting and expressed some concerns over the meal items that I could and could not have. The chef was more than amicable and made offerings and other suggestions for food items, making the experience even better. They offered me non-alcoholic wine and were so friendly and helpful for the changes that we needed for the pregnancy. I would recommend this location and go again after the baby; I need that wine pairing. read more

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HATE THE COMMUNAL TABLE! Hence the fewer stars. This kills the legend. Not a fan of the NEW nighttime set-up. Not an improvement. I've dined here (as Alain Ducasse) many MANY times. First Alain got wierd w/ the beef and now this new chef and his reimagined dining area. Ugh! Not better. I suppose "the new guy" wanted to make his mark? Will Michelin bless this guy w/ stars? I have liked the staff here for 20 years so I'm torn. The chef is doing things I don't want to become a trend but "his people" are so nice. Gone is the perhaps the most beautiful cascading crystal dining area in the entire world. "New" doesn't mean "improved." Our famed (and impressive) host Denny, and the wine steward, and assorted crew are STILL top notch. (Some of the new additional staff seem weak and wouldn't have lasted here a few years back. Standards ARE slipping.) The food is all presented w/ great flair. The desert "show" was amusing and the after diner drink selection was other worldly! Ancient vintages that could only be found at a place w/ this history. Breakfast? (See attached photos.) I would give just the breakfast 5 stars but this is a review for the entire resturant. read more

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HORRIBLE Experience at THIS RESTAURANT They wanted us to move from our original table to eat outside in the cold with our two-year-old baby! We recently visited to celebrate our two-year-old daughter's birthday to spend time with family that we came to visit all the way from Florida to Paris, and it turned out to be a deeply disappointing experience, thanks to the manager, she ruined our night. Upon our arrival, everything seemed promising. There was a baby chair set up for us with crayons and a coloring book, which made us feel welcome. However, things took a drastic turn when Ana approached us and, in the rudest manner possible, told us to move outside in the cold because another couple dining nearby wasn't happy about our two-year-old being there. This was incredibly confusing and upsetting. If the restaurant does not allow children, this should have been communicated clearly when we made our reservation. Instead, we felt singled out and humiliated. The inconsistency was baffling - why have baby chairs and children's amenities if children aren't welcome? The worst part was seeing my husband so upset that he couldn't eat and walked away in tears. He's never experienced such discriminatory treatment before. it felt like we were being targeted because of our race & it ruined what was supposed to be a special celebration for our daughter & family time. To make matters worse, we spent over €1300 on dinner, making the poor treatment even more unacceptable. We've spent way more at restaurants and never received this type of treatment. The manager Ana's behavior was unprofessional and lacking in basic hospitality training. Her treatment of our family was unacceptable, and it left a lasting negative impression. We won't be returning and cannot recommend this restaurant to anyone, especially families with young children. On top of that, they did not give me a refund. read more

There is nothing I can say to prepare you for an experience like Alain Ducasse. If you're fortunate enough to get a reservation, just try to savor every moment. For starters, it's the most beautiful dining room I've ever seen. Gorgeous chandelier surrounded by crystals that throw off hypnotizing light in every direction. The somms waltz over with enticing recommendations. We start with a pink champagne from Louis Roederer of Reims, a 2010 vintage. I thought I didn't love champagne, but I've just never had good champagne. It goes well with the amuse bouches, starting with a earthy cracker-like thing of seeds, to be washed down by fresh basil juice. A prune sorbet in elderberry juice follows. The fried sea bass skin if a melt-in-your-mouth favorite, and I love the meaty morsel of mullet on top. A Fried Sardine shimmers in tarragon sauce gives me a new appreciate for sardines, and an earthy Chickpea Mousse is just amazing with sea bass tartare and lemon caviar. The chef's choice menu officially starts with Schrencki Caviar, shimmering black pearls that pop inside buckwheat crepes. Then, an impossibly tender Grilled Swordfish sits next to a tangy roasted tomato. Their cooking technique is very different here. The fish is barely cooked - basically half raw, and it gives it a very tender texture that I've never had before. The Gamberoni (shrimp) are the sweetest crustaceans I've ever tasted. That half-cooked method gives them a gooey texture and it's sooooo good with all that ripe melon. I was a bit worried when they served us a bowl of Black Rice, but it's infused with an entire stick of butter and delicious squid. It's not "just" rice. Time to start desserts. Lots of cheese, first the chef selection of four. I recall a lovely Comte and a gentle Stilton. Then the cheese cart, from which we have an incredibly fresh goat cheese that has the texture of soft curd. There's also a beautiful chevre and a superb soft-rind goat cheese that I love more than any other cheese I've ever tasted. We end with the Camembert, and this one has some serious funk. This isn't fair. Dessert is Figs, my absolute favorite fruit, and these are the juiciest, ripest figs ever. They also add roasted figs to the mix and a Fig Leaf Cake that is fluffy like a souffle. Both pair well with the 1997 Sauternes that somm recommends. The Baba au Rhum is a Ducasse signature. I never cared for rum cake, but this one is a slice of heaven. The Chocolates are the final dish, as well as a simple bowl of sweet grapes. It took me days to fully process what happened to me at Alain Ducasse. The experience is expensive, but it's worth every penny. Every moment was absolutely magical, and I would do it all over again if I could. read more

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In A Nutshell: -Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athenee is a Three Michelin Star (M3) restaurant located in Paris. -This was my 2nd M3 restaurant I've eaten at in Paris (the other being Pavillon Ledoyen), so I knew what type of experience to expect. -Eating here was a much better experience b/c the restaurant was more modern, smaller w/ hipper staff. -We opted for the prix fixe menu vs. a la carte (why try to guess what to eat when you can have it all done automatically for you by the professionals?) -The entire experience & meal from start to finish was AMAZING. -The wine we selected paired perfectly w/ the seafood dishes. -I always love the butter the French use, so rich & creamy. -Make sure you book at least a month in advance. -Expect to pay a handsome sum. Overall, I highly, highly recommend eating here, it's worth the experience! read more

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Anticipating a lovely evening my wife, we arrived with two other couples. Six menus followed, only one had prices. That led to some uninformed choices. My party wasn't fluent in French. That fact, combined with the servers unintelligible English, led to other comical moments. One appetizer was cold lobster at $169. The presentation was stunning, four slices of lobster meat on the back of a large spiny lobster. While the presentation matched the price, the meat itself was ordinary. Those who ordered it were disappointed. The main courses were acceptable but nowhere near Michelin Star quality. The chef has earned stars in another of his restaurants but that seems unlikely here. I shared Turbot for two, which was ok if bland. Another ordered the Rabbit, which was meat ground into a meat loaf and the diner, who orders rabbit frequently, was unimpressed. Two others had the baked chicken which they liked. The description of the dessert options was opaque, leading four in the party to order the "Grand Desert" what they heard described as a sampler of all the deserts on the menu. Unfortunately it was actually full sized portions of all the deserts, a glutton's delight but beyond anything that should be offered in the civilized world. Clearly the server should have explained that one order for a table was more than sufficient. On exiting the dining room there was a ten minute wait for the coat check attendant. And then the hat of one member of the party was curiously missing. After an extended search it turned up in the host stand, stashed their for safekeeping while the host was busy in the dining room. The dinner provided ample belly laughs but not the quality of service or food that we had anticipated. read more

I booked through Amex platinum concierge, I wish I hadn't! They were able to reserve a spot last minute. Booking through Amex allows extra benefits at certain places, for example; we were able to tour the kitchen before we sat down for dinner. I appreciate Amex making reservations for me and always going above and beyond in customer service; however, Alain Ducasse was not Michelin rated or a great experience whatsoever! I have been to plenty of Michelin, including 3 star Michelins around the world to know what I am reviewing. We were really disappointed; first of all the food was absolutely disgusting, I mean so disgusting that I couldn't even eat the dessert, chocolates and most of the plates (which are small) I left hungry! The bread was cold, dry and hard, the soup was cold, most of the food seemed to have been re-heated (my extended family comes from restaurant business and I always check food quality :)) My napkin fell on the floor, no-one picked it up, I had to re-use my dirty napkin. My spoon fell on the floor along with the napkin. Water cups were never changed, I was drinking out of an old water cup the entire time. I was never given extra butter without asking over and over again. My cheese fell on the floor, I told our waiter, he never picked it up or replaced it. We had to wait over 35 mins for our check (I counted) until we finally were able to flag a waiter down to ask for our check! My table was never cleaned, crumbs everywhere the entire time. The only plus was the amazing chandelier. I have been to several Michelin restaurants before; ranging from 1-3 star. And I had better service at a regular restaurant: La Scossa the previous night. UPDATE* they said food is made in the morning, so I was correct, 3 star Michelin food is Re-heated at Alain Ducasse! What a joke. read more

Jean Imbert au Plaza Athénée - I was unable to get pics as I was furious the entire time, this was a random pic, as you can see crumbs and dirty water cup - French Near Me

"Oh you fancy, huh??" You'll want to sing Drake's lyrics when you walk in here. Cause this place is tres FANCY. Like Versailles level fancy, minus the wigs and the actual presence of royalty. Of all the fine dining we've done in Paris and around the world, nothing beats the opulence and white glove service of Alain Ducasse. They literally cut your bread wearing white gloves! Oo la la! As you'll see in the plethora of photos online, the space is dripping with sparkly chandelier crystals above modern silver chrome booths. We didn't get to sit in the cool booths and instead got a regular table in the middle of the room, but the ambience was mesmerizing nonetheless. I don't remember too much about the food (was too busy ogling the chandelier porn), except that it was the best food we've had compared to all the other restaurants in Paris on the World's Best 50 Restaurants list. The dishes were beautifully presented, with interesting flavors and creativity. Oh, I remember one of the dishes now--caviar tacos! Yeah it's not often you get to eat caviar tacos! So if you have the money and want an unforgettable Fine Dining experience steeped in lavishness & luxury, get yourself a reservation here. Bon ap'! read more

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I cannot begin to describe the absolute marvel and beauty of Alain Ducasse's flagship restaurant in Paris, but in short, just look at the hundred of thousands of crystal on the two towering chandeliers and you'll know why this is a michelin 3 champion. The service was top notch, the chrome plated chairs mesmerizing, and every bite of the tasting menu was rife with creativity, love, and imagination. The menu, of course, changes from season to season, so I can't state with certainty that you may get the same dining experience. Like all michelin 3s, there are tons of desserts, so please keep your belly full and avoid the temptation of eating too much bread. Also, you may get a special farewell gift at the end of the event, so I will not ruin it for potential visitors. Our only regret is that Chef Alain was not there...but that was more of a wishful thinking than realistic expectations. Food/service/ambiance 5 stars Price: n/a read more

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In France, you can find Michelin star restaurants easier than others and sometimes it can become touristic spots but still good. I'm very fortunate to have been to a quite few but I have to say this one is quite disappointing to me knowing the chef is so well known. As you can see from the pictures that I posted, the presentations were very very simple, simple is good but they weren't good you would expect from a 3 Michelin restaurant, I would agree the deco and price are probably 3 Michelin standers. I went to Le Cinq (3 Michelin) during the same week, it was a truly amazing culinary experience and truly worth of the money. read more

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Amazing experience! one of my favorite Michelin star restaurants I have tried thus far. it is 3 stars, and well worth it. The hotel looks super nice and the interior was so simple yet elegant and comfortable. Service was on point. bread was delicious, we couldn't stop eating the bread. every place was perfect, we literally spent 3 hours here for lunch! the meal was mostly seafood based which was so fresh and sweet. cheese platter was decadent, desserts were creative and light. everything was so good. at the end, my friend wanted hot chocolate, and they somehow made that happen. amazing Michelin 3 stars experience! read more

This restaurant is difficult to dine at for a non French speaker. The waiter we had was unclear as to what each dish was like. For example the lobster was five half dollar size pieces of mediocrity for $165 The Grand dessert had some excellent items, but the server did warn us that it was huge. Much too much money for the quality read more

Terrible experince. I've worked at a Triple A 5 Diamond restaurant. This restaurant isn't all it's cracked up to be. I tried to remove my jacket after being seated and that was rejected by the service staff. Didn't like it but I guess I understand. Things went downhill from there. The server spilled my drink with no apology.... keep in mind this is 2 min into my dining experience. We asked for the wine list and 25 min later nothing. Asked two more times and the server rolled her eyes at the guest of honor. Finally got the wine list, the sommelier was extremely helpful and helped us pick a wonderful wine. This was the best part of the experience. My wife got the sea bass and I got the lobster, both were very weird dishes and we didn't really enjoy them... when the bill came around I asked if it was possible to pay American cash. They said no and sent the guest of honor to exchange it at the front desk. In my opinion at a 3 star Michelin, spending the money I did, this should have been done for us. Also charged me about 32euro for the exchange... ouch. The front desk was even surprised that the server didn't exchange for us. I will not recommend this place to my group of restaurant friends/Sommoliers. I also do not recommend to you. I left feeling cheated read more

The elegant decor is mixed with traditional and modern accents which makes for the perfect ambience. The chef tasting menu is prepared blissfully and each courses compliments each other perfectly. The service is executed flawlessly. The wine menu is superb. read more

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The formal French service was impeccable from start to finish! As soon as our car arrived at the hotel the doorman took us to the restaurant hostess. The hostess showed us to our table and the servers quickly presented us with menus. The dining room is striking. The "exploded" chandeliers and use of chrome create a sparkling effect as you enter. The room is open, but the tables are far enough apart that it still feels intimate. Since it was my wife's birthday I asked the sommelier to start us with something appropriate. We had glasses of wonderful 2006 Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque rose Champagne while we looked through the menu and decided on the tasting menu. Based on the menu and a discussion with the sommelier we selected the 2014 Chateau Palmer Banc de Bordeaux. It was wonderful on its own and a fantastic pairing for the food! The first course was langoustines with caviar. The food was beautifully presented and tasted even better! The sweetness of the perfectly cooked langoustine and saltiness of the caviar were perfectly balanced. The second course was "Bar de l'Atlantique" with land and sea cucumbers. It is a clever concept and it works very well. The presentation was beautiful, the flavours worked together with the wine. The third course was "Sole des Courreaux de Groix". The fish looked wonderful and was perfectly cooked. Desserts started with the intense house made chocolates paired with a 10 year old Barbeito Boal Madeira. The meal finished with "Citron nicois". The entire experience demonstrated how Alain Ducasse earned his reputation and Michelin stars. The food, wine, service and atmosphere created the perfect evening to celebrate my wife's birthday! read more

Jean Imbert au Plaza Athénée - Fantastic tasting menu at Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athenee! - French Near Me

It's worth going as an experience. It's probably the most visually appealing restaurant you'll ever be in. The lobster was amazing. Everything else was good but not amazing. We started with eggplant, then the lobster and octopus and ended with the peaches for dessert. I was very disappointed with dessert considering their pastry chef is so renowned. There wasn't anything innovative about it. The service was not consistent. We had to flag them down a couple of times. They used plastic carts which was very unsightly. Other Michelin restaurants has wood carts. Glad I went but would not go back. read more

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Absolutely phenomenal! I ordered 3 desserts for a total of 130 Euros (dined on Sept 23, 2010): * caramel ice cream + yogurt/soft cheese + honey ice cream = unbelievable flavors --- savory, rich, complex. Need I say more? * Strawberry = astounding presentation. Unique in every way. Both my eyes & palate were on a feast. The wild strawberries were refreshing, the panna cotta & vanilla ice cream were savory, the strawberry jello was bouncy & delightful. Simply devine! * Mirabelle tart = not my favorite out of the trio, still very delicious. I paired all 3 with a 2005 Château Haut-Bergeron Sauternes. Service was attentive & superb. Jackets required for lunch. read more

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The service was 5 plus stars: No doubt while the food was 4 stars. We dined in November, 2010. Incredibly, memorable service that my partner paid for: We had 5+ servers for wine, water, napkin change for every dish (Oh, not all, I am not exaggerating), course dishes, and cheese. Every one was professional, and very attentive to us. The whole dining experience took appx. 4 hours, which we both felt it went so quickly. We had the Tasting Menu: Good quality, generous amount of WHITE TRUFFLE on soup and chicken. Although, I usually ignore the meat at any other restaurants, I was so happy to have it. Here is why my food rating was 4: The Portuguese shrimp dish in iron pot was disappointing. Was the ingredient fresh? You bet. The server told us how "RARE" it was to be on market but C'mon! There was nothing creative about the taste or presentation. read more

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From the opulence and decadence, this place is magical. As you enter the restaurant, the modern yet traditional style is like a playground for all senses. The service was white glove service with all the staff that spoke English well. Their homemade bread was gluten free and delicious and their menu was suitable for a vegan/gluten free as well as a pescatarian. This new concept restaurant says "vegetarian" but they have seafood. We did a three course meal with wine pairing and each course was excellent and a good size. The green lentils with caviar was one of the best dishes served that night with textures and taste that play nicely together. The interesting take on simple potatoes was genius. It was transformed to taste anything but a potato yet resemble a potato in appearance. My brain was thoroughly confused in the most magical way. Dessert was fantastic with a peanut mousse and a crepe like in between. And at the very end, the chocolate squares with crispy rice was just enough. Great restaurant and a great experience. One of the top five restaurants I've been to in the world and most memorable. read more

A forever memory that I will have from our trip to Paris. First of all, the space itself is a dream, and as someone in the architecture industry, I can appreciate the subtle touches and elements... I was in awe most of our meal. The service was absolutely on point and we could not have felt more taken care of. There were some stand out dishes, but I won't spoil anything here. We went for lunch (we did the Chef's Tasting) and were so happy & full that I don't know how we would have accomplished dinner. A BEAUTIFUL meal & experience. read more

5 star service. Exactly what I expected. Not a fan of French cuisine but some items were indeed great. read more

Jean Imbert au Plaza Athénée - Ah! French cuisine! - French Near Me

I recently brought my parents to Paris and dinner at Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athenee was the culinary highlight of the trip. It did not disappoint and I can see why it has three Michelin stars! First of all, the space is absolutely stunning. I think they remodeled it in 2014 or so and it looks like the sleekest coolest spaceship restaurant. Each table has one seating for the night. The service is impeccable. Everyone is all smiles and makes you feel like it's your birthday the entire time. My dad dropped his fork and the waiter was so cute - he pretended like one of the crystals on the chandelier had dropped and promptly brought over a new fork. I didn't experience any pretense whatsoever. The waitstaff all went above and beyond. There are a ton of amuses bouches and complimentary servings. I don't want to write a long tiresome review detailing every single thing we ate, but the lobster appetizer was the best lobster I've ever had and the caviar lentil appetizer is amazing and you get your money's worth because you get SO MUCH caviar. I also want to note that their portion sizes are really pretty big, so you don't want to get an appetizer and an entree for each person as it's too much food, especially when combined with the various amuses bouches. I ordered two appetizers and three entrees, and it ended up being WAY too much food for the three of us. This was a total bummer as it prevented me from eating all the free cheese we got and also from ordering a dessert. But I suppose that's an excuse to return! The vegetables and herbs come from the gardens of Versailles and the menu is all based on plants and seafood so there are no meat options. The dishes were light, which was also nice. Normally, when I eat this much food, I end up with an upset stomach, but I didn't have any issues at all after eating here. Notwithstanding the lightness and freshness of the food, it is all also seasoned very well. As we left, my mother and I were given complimentary boxes of chocolates and we all received little cards that detailed what each of us had eaten and drunk, together with a photo they had taken of us during the night. This was hands down one of the best dining experiences of my life. Don't pass up an opportunity to eat here. It will knock your socks off. read more

Beautiful space, the atmosphere is quiet but pleasant. Food presentation is phenomenal, but come hungry as it just keeps going and you'll want to taste it all! Enjoyed visiting a three Michelin star restaurant that is not focused on meat dishes. The mix of flavors and textures is very unique and delectable. This one is perfect for special events! read more

My boyfriend and I came here for lunch during our travels to Paris and was slightly disappointed with the food. The interior of the restaurant was beautiful and the service was impeccable as you would expect with a Michelin Three Star restaurant. However we were disappointed with the taste of the food as it was quite ordinary and in our opinion not worth it for the price (Three course lunch menu was 410€ per person). read more

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I waited a few days to write this review, I wasn't sure what to say about this place... I can definitely describe it as an experience in every way, the food, the service, the atmosphere, everything. I can't judge the food because was excellent in every way. Very expensive... of course, was it worth it??? I can compere it when you make line for 2+ hours to ride the new attraction in an amusement park and the ride itself lasts 45 seconds... was it worth it?? Some people would say yes. For me, dining at Alain Ducasse was a privilege, something I had to do at least once. My only recommendation would be enjoy every moment of it, don't hesitate to ask every detail of the different plates on the menu, they usually mix flavors and textures in the food that are not common, so if you do, that will help you to enjoy it. read more

Well, the old guard is strong with their Michelin stars and established leaders. The thing is the game is weak in a foodie and travel enabled world where modern people know what food can taste like, and are not impressed by the faux opulence of a bygone age. Alain Ducasse rides his Michelin Star adorned train to lackluster mediocrity, and a style and delivery that is easily surpassed in the hip modern places of the world. Did we forget about flavor or giving a damn? Yes, Alain, you did and I'm sorry but the shiny Adornments on your table seating do not compensate. So here we go (abridged version): Food and service: I know French service is a bit more disengaged. However I would expect a little more from this place. My wife and I are younger and sometimes not given full regard in a dining room filled with mostly 50-somethings. However, we've probably eaten more tasting menus around the world than most people combined in this room. Our approach to dining is beyond facades and they don't get much farther than that here. They don't clear the table of extraneous items and crumbs as we have come to expect from white linen service.. We requested wine pairing and the waitress informed us there are none assigned but the Sommelier would assist us with wine pairings for each course. The sommelier stopped by with a menu and uninterested attitude. I've dined with a Master Sommelier at Le Cirque in Vegas - pretty much the most amazing wine experience ever. I guess I have certain expectations. The sommelier here told us that wine pairings on a tasting menu would not be needed - he suggested a single bottle, a single flavor, to accompany the meal. At that point we were not spooked but realized later that this lazy recommendation was to brush us off. And also was indicative of what we were about to taste throughout - a single flavor. Both the fact that a single wine could pair an entire tasting menu and the Sommelier's dismissive recommendation of the most expensive white wine on the list, was an insult to us, wine, and the traditions of being a Sommelier. He passed us off in an uninterested brush of his fingers over the menu. Amuse-bouche: Alain, don't start the fishiest night of our life with a fishy pate. The wine was reasonable tasting and about 360 euro. So..... First course - Caviar? In some eel paste on something that resembled a pancake bread. I love caviar, I like eel. I mean this was reasonable but with an underlying fishy taste and lack of flavor. Second Course - Tiny soup with mussels and a side with "chickpea mousse" aka Hummus. This was actually the thing I hated the least. But I can't take a lot of mussels - so this reached my per-day mussels intake limit. Third Course - This was a strip of fish on a cracker, actually good. In a sauce. With a little side of fresh cold crAb. Fourth Course - Lobster. I love me some Lobster. Thanks for changing that, Alain. Chewy lobster bits in a brown fish sauce - the same one they basked the prior course, a strange carry over of flavors that over did it. Mussels chewier than the ones in the earlier. Course. Mussels also unmentioned so I took a big bite and got a combo chewy lobster and fishy mussels in a fish sauce. Fifth Course - I'm actually writing this at the restaurant. We just watched someone else get served this course at the next table. Literally in their body language (and lack of second or third bites) it is evident their reaction was about the same as ours. This was absurd. This is their seafood cereal? It was like every bad fish and mussel taste of the evening combined with uncooked rice in a chewy what-is-happening of a meal. Cheese - there was a delicious hard sheep's milk cheese of which I didn't get the name. Other cheese was uninteresting. One piece of bread accompanied. Dessert - Caramelized Pears with ice cream was one. Another was a strange flan with soy ice cream. Ok - so, let's just level here - what is 3-Michelin star? 1. An ability to overcharge and never apologize. 2. Eating the food of chefs that have been at the top forever - that's not normal in food, there's no way there aren't new up and comers that understand the modern palate better. Like all old guard things and retail stores - they stay kicking until their fiery and explosive deaths. 3. No regard for respect in service. Rather, an unabashed pomposity that disrespects modern foodies like us. We paid 1272 Euro and no one ever even asked how it was. For shame, Michelin. For shame, Alain. Maybe look outside the bubble you live in and see what is dining in the modern world and who are diners. There's a lot more of us out there and we're getting plenty tired of being fooled by your opulent and irrelevant reputations. In the future, we won't make such mistakes. read more

Had a great time here. Have been here two times and i had a good experience both times. Really like the ambience here and the foods were good. Nothing too exciting or out of this world, but a nice place to spend an evening if you are into fine dining while visiting Paris read more

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Absolutely impeccable. The cooking was perhaps the best I've had anywhere. Each step of our meal was just perfect. After all the hype I had expected more of a vegetable focus but I cannot complain about the menu. Maybe my favourite was the lobster with Brussels sprouts. Seriously. Best Brussels sprouts ever. I want to learn how to make these at home! I also have to give thanks to our sommelier who helped us to find the perfect wines for our meal. Thank you! read more

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I would describe my dining experience at Alain Ducasse in the following ways: pretentious, WAY overpriced, and bland food. I would have given 1 star except the service was phenomenal and must be accounted for accordingly. Note that for food and experience alone, I would have given 3 stars for its mediocrity and lackluster; however, the hefty price tag truly did not justify the culinary experience. I would like to preface this review with a disclaimer that I am in no way, shape or form, a foodie nor do I purport to be. My reviews are based on whether I think the food is delicious in my estimation or not. As a parameter, "delicious" means finger-licking good, lick-the-plate-clean good, contemplating-making-a-second-order good. On our first trip to Paris together, my boyfriend wanted to pull all stops and truly WOW me with romance and splendor. With the help of our hotel concierge at the W Paris near the Opera House, he made reservations for three Michelin-star restaurants, Alain Ducasse was the first. Very cozy, posh ambiance but equally pretentious. The restaurant is situated in the Plaza Athenee; the kind of restaurant that has coat check. Hanging ostentatiously from the high ceilings are beautiful crystal chandeliers that create mystical light reflections throughout the dimly lit room. The tables are likely sparsely set apart for more privacy. However, all that aside, the place wreaks of pretentiousness. Don't get me wrong, we stay in 5-star accommodations, fly first/business class globally, regularly dine at upscale restaurants but there is a clear line of demarcation between an elitist establishment and an upscale one. This one is clearly the former. As patrons go, looking around the restaurant on a Saturday night, there were mostly very young, attractive girls with decidedly older gentlemen; and I mean more than 1.5 to 2 decades their senior. We were very obviously the youngest couple there; although I definitely was not the youngest woman (at the ripe, old age of 36 (me) and 39, respectively). White glove service is impeccable. The wait staff are trained to refer to you directly by your name, which they learn how to adequately pronounce. They are very old-school traditional because they did not bother to ask me my last name and instead, called me Mrs. (insert my boyfriend's German last name; I am Vietnamese). They speak conversational English very clearly; therefore, there are no language barriers. The food is bland and the presentation is unextraordinary. Usually, the food presentation is pretty unique at restaurants that have international culinary reputations; however, looking through my camera, I realize that the presentation must have been pretty blaze so as to NOT inspire me to whip out my camera. Further, recall my comment about the pretentious undertone; therefore, I probably didn't feel inspired to capture the moment. As I tasted each dish, I expected my taste buds to dance merrilously in gay amusement. This never happened. I was cognizant of the hype surrounding the restaurant and asked my boyfriend in consternation, "Are you SURE we're at the right restaurant? Is there perhaps another one??" Although the food was perfectly pureed or the appropriate consistency, the quality of the meats and vegetables extremely fresh, my mouth was bored. WAY overpriced. So as you're likely aware, the dollar is stronger than the euro; therefore, going to Paris means getting about 30% off US prices. The shopping in Paris is exquisite and as a shopping addict, clothes, handbags, makeup, and shoes are always on my mind. However, usually not while I'm eating. This was the exception. I had seen some Fendi shoes that cost $1100 in the US but I calculated approximately $800 and change due to the currency conversion. Because the food was so unremarkable, I assumed that the meal cost less than $500. I was astounded -- actually shell-shocked -- to learn that for just the two of us with no alcohol, the meal cost nearly $1000 USD. My Fendis. And change. Overall, I do not think that the experience garnered the nearly $1000 price tag that it cost for the two of us to dine here. We did not need to spend $1000 for run-of-the-mill food that needed salt, sugar, spices, any complex flavors at all for that matter, to sit in a cloud of pretentiousness for several hours. If I had to do it all over again, knowing what I know now, I would have skipped the meal and bought the Fendi shoes. At least I'd have an amazing pair of shoes to show for $800 rather than a disappointing memory. My poor boyfriend wanted so badly for the meal to be a lasting, romantic memory yet he even conceded that the Fendi shoes would have been a better bet, plus I would have had about $200 leftover to spend on something else... read more

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This was the one 3-michelin start restaurant we went to while in Paris and I have to say I was a little disappointed. I spent months picking out the one big, expensive dinner we would have. I looked into places like L'Arpege, Guy Savoy and Le Meurice, but ultimately ended up here based on reviews and others recommendations. The room is quite stunning when you enter. Large chandeliers make you feel as though you are in a winter wonderland. We sat at our table and were immediately greeted. We started with champagne and then were presented with menus. The waiter kept "pushing" things on us, which was a bit strange, especially an an establishment of this caliber. First he tried to dictate our entire menu and then when we insisted we wanted to order a la carte he "really suggest we add a course of lobster." This would have been if that extra course of lobster weren't around 100 euros per person. I will say the lobster was delicious, but no one likes to be pushed. We were brought many "amuse" - all good, but nothing so inspiring that I remember it now a week later. The bread and butter service was not as tempting as I wanted it to be. There were 3 varieties of bread and two of butter. The salted butter was excellent but the breads were a little boring. I tasted the asparagus (covered in truffles), the scallops (covered in truffles) for starters and both were quite good and had an absurd amount of truffles on them. Then we moved on to our lobster course, which again was also incredible. For the mains I ordered the pigeon, also with truffles and I was able to taste the sole and the chicken with truffles. I think the truffles were a little overplayed. It's not that I do not love truffles, because I really do, but there comes a point when there is too much of a good thing. The cheese cart was wonderful as was each and every cheese I tasted from it. However, this is to be expected at a restaurant of this level. The dessert was the mos disappointing part of the meal. The waiter recommend the "fruit" and since he didn't bring the menu back over, I didn't even know what it consisted of. It was raw kumkwats, and citrus topped with granita. How boring. If anything I would have expected this to be a palate cleanser, but not the main dessert. The dessert accompaniments, such as the caramel carts and almond tuiles that were placed on the table were better than the dessert itself but still nothing extraordinary. As a parting gift they left us with salt. I have yet to try this salt. Overall it was a "good" dinner, but for these prices, this dinner should have blown us away. I had a much better dinner at Alain Ducasse at the Essex House, when he had a Michelin star restaurant in NYC. This is no way stands out as one of the best meals of my life and the biggest reasons were the pushy service and the bad dessert. I would recommend eating elsewhere while in Paris. As the group of four of us agreed as we left, this restaurant was "underwhelming." read more

First let me say, i don't think i am worthy of writing a review for such an outstanding and amazing restaurant, food and service. I am mean MY GOD Yelp needs to let me give it 10 stars. My wife and I were there last week and it was outstanding. This is a 3 Michelin star restaurant. We arrived at 7:15 pm for our 7:30 reservation. We ended up leaving around 11:30pm. Then were escorted inside and seated at the back end where you could see the entire restaurant. It is absolutely stunning. Our server Thomas was amazing and extremely knowledgeable not only about the food but the history of the restaurant. With each course arriving he would explain each dish with detail. My wife and I started playing a game where we would first try and guess the ingredients and then we would let him tell us and see if we got it right. I guessed chilly flakes which were actually lobster eggs. THE FOOD WAS AMAZING!!!! We became friendly with the staff and our 5 course tasting menu turned into a 10 course tasting menu with a tour of the kitchen (Where i almost cried) and met the Executive Chef and took a picture with him. We were given a tour of the restaurant and a detailed history. Unbelievable!!!! The service was outstanding. I need to go back and give all my other 5 star reviews a 3 star just because if this gets a 5 star nothing else compares. With everything going on, the Executive Chef was patient, answered all our questions, and took our picture with him. The kitchen is beautiful and runs like a well oiled machine. Finally, as we were leaving the entire staff wanted to take pictures with us which we were happy to do. Also while leaving they handed us a complementary box of chocolates of the restaurant, printed our entire menu on a a beautiful card with our photo with the Executive Chef printed on the back!!! An experience we will never ever forget!!!! read more

What a cruel surprise. My wife and I ate here on New Years Eve, suckers we were, and were treated to a fleecing the likes of which we'd never experienced. The meal started with a forgettable amuse bouche and went downhill from there. There was something with polenta that tasted like wet dog. Plate after plate of dry fish and seafood varieties. Undercooked duck breast swimming in a thick pond of beige gravy. A bowl of what appeared to be warm yogurt and a leaf of romaine lettuce. It seemed as if the kitchen was cleaning out everything that had not been used in 2014. And then burying it under mounds of truffles. We love truffles. Who doesn't? But not when they are dumped onto each dish like potato chips being emptied from a bag. It was like a Monty Python skit. A waiter wearing a black glove would appear after each plate was set down, and grind a truffle the size of a softball over the entrée until it disappeared. Every plate was a total solar eclipse. The room took on the odor of a men's locker room. We bailed before the last two courses. Never again. read more

For starters as we walked in to the hotel we were given some of the most nasty looks. We went to order our drinks at the bar and it took them 25 minutes to bring out for standard drinks... when they bring them out two out of the four were incorrect.. how do you bring tequila when we asked for cognac? Anyways on to the next two drinks ... they were as simple as JUICE 26$ juice !!! Then when we asked about it they said an additional shot would be $26?! So we say let's have this last drink and we're out! So us two girls go to the restroom and we come out to take pictures outside of the restroom and a worker comes up to me super aggressively telling me we have to leave now ! We say ok and he stands there so now it's a standing contest ... he leaves and they literally are trying to kick us out as we are leaving !! Like it's crazy .. very pretty hotel and bar area but the staff are super snooty and disrespectful.. don't come here as an American or they will be super nasty to you... just a heads up .. much love read more

Jean Imbert au Plaza Athénée - French Near Me

I came here with a girlfriend after shopping to get a glass of champagne. I've stayed in the past but am staying in a different part of town to be near my work. The manager refused to sit us in "les salons" because we were not staying at the hotel...he wanted us to sit in the bar off the main salons that was basically empty and looked like it was a nightclub (loud music and blue lighting). However, I saw him seat several groups of men in the main area without asking if they were staying at the hotel. Maybe he thought we were prostitutes?! Don't go here if you are a group of women as they won't want to accommodate you unless you are with a man! read more

This place is a landmark destination in Paris... Many people come for the afternoon tea (about 4PM) just to savor the atmosphere and the yummy deserts, not to mention the $$$$$ savings over lunch or dinner! One of the highlights is when they bring you the special 3-tiered tray of delectable deserts to your table (not unlike the feeling you get when your transatlantic coach or business ticket gets upgraded to 1st class!) Since I was staying at the Hotel, they cut me some slack by allowing me to bring in my own bottle of champagne. It probably helped that they didn't offer it on the menu: 1986 Cristal(!) read more

2 michelin star restaurant. Ranked #47 in the world. The interior decoration is luxurious and is fit for a king. When serving, all the servers use white gloves. The sommelier recommended a bottle of Roc de Cambes 2010 which was definitely one of the best wines I have ever drank in my life. The restaurant is a seafood restaurant and you can choose the a la carte or a 3 course surprise menu in which the chef decides which foods to give you. The menu is only in french so we had to have the waiter translate everything for us. In the end, we decided to go with the 3 course surprise menu. Before the dishes actually came out, there were plenty of smaller appetizers that were served. The seafood main courses were very good. The serving sizes were more for a tasting menu but after seeing how many desserts they brought to the table, it was definitely enough. Just as a warning, we were given about 5 different desserts each. There were a lot of chocolate and cocoa desserts which was a bit too heavy. Eating 1 chocolate dessert would have been enough but 2 more was too much. I'd definitely come back. read more

This was a must stop for us in our 4 day visit to Paris. Just seeing pictures of the restaurant on line, I had to dress up and try it. They really want to fatten us up. We ate so much we had to ask the waiter to stop:-P every dish was different. Definitely a must try one time, any more and you'll go broke. read more

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