The first time we went here, it was all by accident. We had little idea of its famed reputation. My husband actually had picked out their to-go creperie as one of our stops, but a table was available when we walked by, so we took it. Later we found out tables don't become available very often - we were fortune's folly that day.
After having a seriously incredible lunch (Camdeborde's Nicoise and Boeuf Roti and a seriously delicious tart tatin) we decided to do a little more research about it.
Each night has one sitting of the Menu Gastronomique five-course prix fixe menu. Reservations are nearly impossible to get. The average wait time is about 6 months. Unless you stay at the adjoining hotel owned by the chef.
So I had to wait 6 months until our next trip to Paris and booked at room at the Hotel Le Relais St. Germain. We made dinner reservations for a Thursday night. Upon arrival, we were wedged neatly into our seats. It's a tiny place and they really pack you in there. There is one VIP table that usually sees the likes of Daniel Boulud or other notables. The night we dined was one of the sous chef's parents - so cute! (although I was a bit jealous of their special courses that no one else got).
Our party of 2 was actually more like a party of 6 because the tables were so close. I mean, they were touching, like a table set for 6. That's OK because the clientele here are some of the most entertaining around. To my right was a Neuille-sur-Seine sugar daddy with his Chanel bedecked over-botoxed flavor du jour. To my left were some Hollywood insiders who did not eat fat. Literally. They had the kitchen cook them everything on the menu without fat, oil or meat. Example: one course was a white asparagus with prosciutto and vinaigrette. She had a piece of white asparagus on a plate and that was it. So if you're wondering if they'll customize the set menu, the answer is yes. At your own peril. Since the menu changes each night, the menu is actually a souvenir postcard that you can take home with you.
Was the meal everything I was hoping it to be? Well, not exactly. I think I may have set my expectations a little too high. The food was all great... fresh, seasonal, creative. But the service was really poor. Empty water glasses, no butter, lack of explanation on some of the dishes. But service isn't exactly what they're going for - it's all about the food.
So after dining at Le Comptoir for 2 lunches, 1 Menu Gastronimique and 1 brasserie dinner (based on the popularity, they started to open seating on a certain number of nights per week), I would recommend trying to snag a table for lunch and order the special. It may be a preview of the night's set menu. read more