Tourist hotspots are a dangerous place to be for anyone that appreciates quality food. From the…read moreLouvre to Hollywood Blvd to Big Ben, they are known for pricey, disgusting or even worse, boring meals. Grand Saint-Michel is an oasis in this desert of miserable food experiences.
Part I: The Ambiance (4/5)
Although the vibe inside is not something to brag about, this is a tablecloth type of joint and the views of the chateau make it worthwhile. There is a general impression of sitting in a little village house, with a chateau right outside the window. In other words, the place where servants would eat while gazing at the king's quarters. And of course, who wouldn't want to feel like a peasant?
Part II: The Food (5/5)
There is a focus on local, the desire to create from ingredients within kilometers of where guests sit at the delicately adorned tables and enjoy their delicately prepared meals. The local country hen was succulent and prepared with minimal intervention in order preserve the taste of the bird, served beautifully with seasonal vegetables. The cod fish was cooked to perfection and tasted wonderful despite the location being further from the coast. Ah, the wonders of modern freezing! And of course, the local Sauv Blanc from Sancerre made the meal complete with its delicate notes of lemon and crisp acidity.
Part III: The People (5/5)
Kind, pleasant and friendly are not attributes that tourists visiting Paris would typically attribute to a French persona. Perhaps it's the relaxation of the countryside or carefully picked group of individuals, but the restaurant was welcoming, largely due to the people who work here. Not only kind, but all aspects of service were efficient and executed in a way that is not a frequent encounter in this country.