262504 Thu Mar 13 09:23:39 -0800 2003 4 26 International 0 1387152 One of my favorite French chefs has a feature story in the NY Times. Check the url below. I'm reluctant to recommend Helene's restaurant to just anybody because I've witnessed too many American diners make fools of themsleves in her Paris restaurant. Why don't lazy Americans who demand that everything be English in a foriegn country stay home? So, if you don't know some French, especially food items, and you have trouble checking your loud, pompous, demanding arrogance at the door, I recommend you stay away from Helene's treasure palace. For everyone else, Helene Darroze is a very special evening in a city known for fantastic food. Of all the four-star places I've been to in Paris, I continually return to Helene Darroze. Not only is the evening almost affordable but the food and wine are spectacular and, in my not-so-humble opinion, worth so much more. Plus, the formal dining room upstairs is one of the most romantic dining rooms in Paris. It's perfect for lovers and perfect for people who love dining with the French. La bonne chance et le bon appétit! Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/12/dining/12CHEF.html?8hpib Thu Mar 13 09:23:39 -0800 2003 0 NYC Food Snob 1 1387154 "Of all the four-star places I've been to in Paris" So can you give us a list of these so called "four-star" places because I was under the silly assumption that Michelin was the only worthwhile guide using the star system (and the most you could receive from them is 3(Darroze got her 2nd this year)) and Gault-Millau handed out points. With regard to Darroze getting her 2nd star this year, if the Michelin people had the lunch that I did in November she would have been lucky to retain the 1 star she had. Service was fine enough but the terrine I had was dry as hell and the palombe (wood grilled) was basically raw, served with a scattering of wild mushrooms and a canneloni farcie that paled in comparison to the one I was served at La Regalade. The baba aux vieux armagnac was definitely the highlight of the meal( I believe the article in the times had a recipe for this). With all the excellent dining options in Paris I might give it another chance but what I got for 138E wasn't worth it to me. I also don't think that the upstairs dining room is all that "romantic". Thu Mar 13 10:45:52 -0800 2003 1387152 0 DodinBouffant 2 1387159 Please forgive my absence of clarity. I don’t work for Michelin or GaultMillau so, when I say “four-star,” I refer to any restaurant of notoriety that offers a tasting menu and charges at least 60 U.S. Dollars per person. I’m sorry your lunch at Helene Darroze was less than stellar. I know what it’s like to visit a touted establishment only to experience something questionable. Perfection is very hard to find anywhere, let alone visit after visit. I admit, I tend to be lucky. Helene’s consistency, as she continues to dazzle my palate, astonishes me. I know people have their own opinions (whether you ask for them or not) and everyone’s definition of romantic may be different than mine. I’m a veteran New York designer, who prefers Buatta to Stark, and I stand by my interpretation of Helene’s formal dining room. Deep maroon velvet, wall-length drapes nestled against cream-colored silks and satins, gracing a dark wood floor and all softly lit by frosted glass, Art Deco wall sconces sure put me in the mood for making love. Now, I submit, I might not feel so romantic at lunchtime. But, then again, I prefer to eat lunch elsewhere. Thu Mar 13 15:07:43 -0800 2003 1387154 0 NYC Food Snob 3 1387170 It's not so much that I was seeking perfection but certainly would have accepted "very good", and as I mentioned, what I got was pretty poor except for the dessert and the little beet salad that came with the terrine...my fault probably for not saying anything and while I can converse fairly well enough in french, I certainly don't have the confidence in my linguistic skills to complain in another language. I can see now how the room could have somewhat of a romantic feel to it at nightime. When I dined the sun was shining very brightly through all the windows and it made the room seem a bit stark almost city hallish with comfy chairs. I'd be interested in hearing what Ms. Darrozze dazzles your palate with. To be quite honest with you I'm far more interested in food than decor but do appreciate plush surroundings. If you like decor you should check out the small dining room at Hiramatsu Fri Mar 14 10:20:20 -0800 2003 1387159 0 DodinBouffant 1 1389115 I just returned from Paris and had a very mediocre meal at Helene Darroze. I speak French pretty well as I worked as a cook in France and went to cooking school in Paris. I was underwhelmed for the following reasons (note many are very small complaints, yet in a 2 star restaurant one's expectations should be very high) 1.) the upstairs dining room is a bit tacky with all the velvet. It seems outdated to me, too early 1990s. 2.) the wait staff was not communicating. i asked one waiter for sparkling water and received flat. told one waiter no more bread and then was offerred bread two minutes later by another waiter. i finished my espresso and petite fours and asked for the check. two minutes later i was asked if i wanted a digestif or another espresso 3.) the vegetables under my tuna sashimi were cut very unevely. Even for the US it was a very rough brunoise cut. the dish was also underseasoned. 4.) the duck was tough and the sauce was grainy. the sauce was made with the blood of the duck. Having said all this, I enjoyed the meal because I was introduced to some great wines from the Languedoc. The block of chocolate offered with the petite fours was amazing. Thu Jul 10 12:15:21 -0700 2003 1387152 0 pheasant plucker's son