My 4th trip to Paris. I have eaten at Guy Savoy, Jules Verne, Taillevent which I will not compare this too as they are in completely different calibers of restaurant.
This place is a gem, great French cooking, excellent service and presentation. Tucked into a little street off the Arc de Triomphe it can elude you.
I was a single female dining alone as I was on a work trip and it was filled with a mixture of French couples and a few tourists. Not overtly touristy at all, there were a fair number of tables of French speakers. I had heard this was in the guidebooks but it was not in mine. Small place and looks like you should have a reservation, I saw many a group turned away and they seemed booked for at least 3 days in advance. I just happened to walk in at 9pm and got lucky. There are only about 13 tables in the space and I do not recommend for a party larger than 4.
I had the foie gras atop green beans (a 6 euro upcharge), the scallops and the cafe gourmet dessert. My foie gras rivalled any I have had in the world, and for the price was a fraction of what I normally pay. Buttery and decadent it went down perfectly with my glass of champagne. Having beans with it was not the norm but I heartly would do it again compared to a few slivers of cherry and a wee bit of toast that normally comes. My scallops were perfectly cooked, medium rare, with a salad of fricasee, roasted tomato and sun dried tomatoes. I so wanted to try the mille fuille for dessert which looked outstanding but my belly was fuller than full so I opted for the cafe gourmand which was an espresso, a mini creme brulee and a chocolate mousse. Not the most exciting and a could dock a star for it but I knew what I was getting, I just did not have the space for an incredible dessert.
I woud go back in a heart beat and already planning to return on one of my last days. Dinner: 25 euros for an appetizer and main/ main and dessert or 32 euros for a appetizer, main and dessert. Just my foie gras would have been $35 as an appetizer at home. My champagne was 6 euros a glass, normally $18-25 at home.
My waitress was delightful. Spoke better English than my French and for all the rushing around, 2 waitresses in the place, she was always attentive and sweet.
Yum, so full, o decadent, so spoiled. No need for Guy Savoy and a 300 euro meal go to Le Hide. read more