265146 Tue Jan 04 12:17:32 -0800 2005 4 26 International 0 1399623 I tried the search function first and was surprised to find no mention of Helen Darroze (and her restaurant.) I am planning my dining itinerary for an upcoming trip to Paris and would appreciate a Chowhound perspective on her Haute Peasant cuisine. Please let me know if you've been there and what you thought & tasted. Many Thanks Tue Jan 04 12:17:32 -0800 2005 0 Anne Emry 1 1399652 Run, don't walk, there. This is going back almost 3 years (when she was still very new on the Paris scene) but I thought it was one of the best meals I've had in Paris. I haven't been back b/c on subsequent visits I was hampered by a month of transit strikes and then I hit her vacation twice, but I can't wait to go back. I had some type of gazpacho (not necessarily the most exciting choice but it was a hot day), a yellow chicken with mushrooms under the skin (unbelievably simple, but transcedent) and a sinful brioche perdue with fruit and mascarpone ice cream. Oh, and don't forget the regional cheese plate - very worthwile. I remember that my dining companion had grilled langoustines which he loved but that I'm deathly allergic to. It was expensive, as I recall - there was a menu at circa 110E, and a la carte was easily that much as well. BUT, I heard afterwards from others, that the tiny casual place on the ground floor called something like "le salone d'Helene" or "la table de Helene" is just as delicious as the "main" restaurant and is less than half the price. They do a tasting of three fois gras that one of my friends swears by. I don't think it's just that I found it exciting to eat at a major Parisian restaurant run (brilliantly) by a woman my age (a rarety in much of the world, including and perhaps particularly Paris), or that I'm partial to Southwestern French food (I am), I think that this is really a special place. Tue Jan 04 21:49:49 -0800 2005 1399623 0 Elaine(Snutteplutthen) 2 1399708 Thanks for the encouragement. I'll plan on it and report back in April. I really appreciate the comments and observations from this wonderful community of spirited diners! Wed Jan 05 21:52:39 -0800 2005 1399652 0 Anne Emry 3 1399740 I had lunch there about 2 years ago when it was still a one star, and left thinking wow this is really good. When the Red Guide came out the following March HD was bumped up to 2 stars. I have not been back since. She really took advantage of the second star to raise prices, and now with the weak dollar, I do not think you could have dinner there for less than $200 per person. The lunch was a great value though, about 70e wines by the glass included. Thu Jan 06 12:49:05 -0800 2005 1399708 0 david 1 1399682 Great restaurant-make sure you get a table upstairs, not downstairs which is more casual. Wed Jan 05 11:34:24 -0800 2005 1399623 0 JEH