Where does one go for some of the most incredible dining experiences ever? Paris has got to be a foodie’s paradise, and dining at four three Michelin starred restaurants while in Paris was like dying and going to food heaven. After the marathon dinner at Arpege (the first of the four restaurants with three Michelin stars), we knew that we had to pace ourselves and set aside at least three or more hours of our day to get the full experience of the Parisian restaurants that require some planning (or possible last resort pleading) to get a reservation to and multiple emails or phone calls for double or sometimes triple confirmations to assure our bookings. The term “Michelin Star” is a hallmark of fine dining quality, and since three stars is defined as “exceptional cuisine and worth a special journey”, we were looking forward to discover what all the hype was about, and what we found was those stars were given for very good reason, and them some.
Alain Ducasse Au Plaza Athenee
A friend of our’s described a dinner at Alain Au Plaza Athenee as one of two of the best meals he’s ever had, and we found out why. As soon as you walk into the hotel and into the gorgeous restaurant with magnificent chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, we wondered if the Michelin stars came from the decor. I looked it up, and the reviewers are supposed to concentrate on the quality, mastery of technique, personality and consistency of the food, and not on quality of service, table setting, or ambiance. One we began eating, we agreed that the food was just as spectacular as everything else in the restaurant. We had the langoustines rafraichies with caviar, I ordered the Homard, Pommes de mer, and for Les Desserts, we shared the Baba au rhum and all of the other additions that came to the table, including the pre and post dessert desserts that we made sure to make room for.
Epicure
Men must not forget their dinner jackets at many fine dining Parisian restaurants. Contrary to what we think casual may mean in America, in Paris, causal means a suit jacket, preferably with a collared shirt and optional tie. While dining at Epicure in Le Bristol Hotel, I can see why people must dress up to dine there… the food looks just as fashionable. The food is presented so beautifully, it made me feel under-dressed. Just like the Paris runways are updated with new styles, Epicure’s menu was presented according to the season, and I ordered the seasonal tasting menu, which included the Mozzarella and Tomato souffléed with olive oil and salt, ox’s heart tomato, “green zebra: tomato, and pineapple tomato, Rock Pool Red Mullet with a roasted eggplant in a zucchini flower, and yellow pepper sauce perfumed with argan oil, and Carribean Chocolate with creamy, emulsion of spicy caramel, and roasted coffee ice cream. The palate cleansers between courses, fresh Madeleines, and dessert bar with marshmallows, caramels, candies, and macarons were great treats, but the fine seasonal cheeses offered before the desserts (as many and as much as one could handle) were incredible! In collaboration with two master cheese makers, Marie-Anne Cantin and Bernard Anthony, Epicure’s cheese board had a number of new selections of impeccable quality and taste that had me craving for cheese like never before.
Guy Savoy
Guy Savoy was where we dined the last night of our trip in Paris. Like many of the other restaurants on our trip, I started with a coupe de champagne rose, and with extensive wine lists and breads at all of the restaurants we went to, it’s impossible not to notice how each place demonstrated attention to the perfect compliments of wine and bread to it’s food and cheeses. We took the recommendations from our server and ordered the Autour de la tomate, Bar en ecailles grillees, soupe d’artichaut, Selle, carre et epaule d’agneau, Poelee de girolles, fomage, and dessert. If I wasn’t already convinced, Guy Savoy completely sealed the deal on Paris being the city with the most crave-worthy restaurants on the planet. Im sure we could have probably spent another week in Paris and continued to be impressed by the quality of food and pure genius of the chefs. My taste buds were completed enchanted with Parisian cuisines and although I don’t know when I’ll return, I’ll forever be inclined to seek out the gastronomic delights of Paris.
cravensavor.wordpress.com 