Pinxo vs. l'Atelier Maitre Albert - please advise

[lesliewh]

We've narrowed down our restaurant choices for our impromptu trip to Paris next week, and will be eating at 404 and Au Fil de Saisons two of our three nights. We can't find much about Pinxo and have read either raves or pans of Maitre Albert; we have dueling reservations at both.

We leave Tuesday - please help!

[Porthos]

L'Atelier Maitre Albert was our single disappointment in Paris. Dry chicken, gristly steak, at only a 100euros for 2.

[souphie]

My advice is to skip both. For the same price, you will have a much more interesting meal, imo, at Senderens or Robuchon, or a lunch menu in one of the top places (you know, savoy, le bristol, les elysees, les ambassadeurs, rostang...). However, if you are fixed on those two, I would also chose PInxo. Dutournier is no doubt at the top of his game, but, imo, his game is not particularly interesting, be it in terms of quality of product or quality of execution. The place sure is friendly. But seriously, I'd much rather had fancy japanese or vietnamese, or fish at Le Duc, italian at Sormani...

[jock]

Detounier is on the top of his game. I would choose Pinxo.