The best for sunday lunch in Paris

[pscurfield]

I am looking for lunch on a sunday in October. I would like the best experience possible and am not that concerned about price, more about quality.

Any suggestions?

[allende]

Mon Vieil Ami

[souphie]

Non

[souphie]

Le Cinq, l'Ami Louis if you're appreciative of high quality ingredients (some people claim for example that the chicken at l'Ami Louis has nothing special -- I think it's a case of having insufficiently educated or sensitive palate), La Grande Cascade, Christophe (but it's a sad place). Gagnaire is open on sundays but only for dinner.

[beaulieu]

I second La Grande Cascade, where we went on Souphie's recommendation.

[erly]

I third La Grande Cascade, as we Lunched there this past Sunday.
Things stared out rather badly, as it was a bit windy, and we were seated in the direct wind.
We felt the breeze immediately, and requested another table (Big conference) and we were moved to a lovely sheltered spot.
We were presented with the menus and the cheapest Lunch was (I think) 130E
On a very small piece of paper, almost hidden on the table, was a menu with no price.
I remember seeing a fixed price 75E mentioned.
It looked good, so we decided to order from it.
The server told us immediately that only Business people order from this menu.
When we explained that we like the dishes mentioned he said, and I kid you not "It is not very good, you won't like it".
To which I replied, "You mean that you serve bad food to Business People?"
He took our order, disappeared, and we thankfully never saw him again.
Our next server was a delight.
They brought the lightest of Codfish Balls
followed by fois Gras with an Apple preserve
he- A lightly frothed Crab Ravioli Soup
me- Very large stuffed Morels excellent dish
Mains he-Lamb Tenderloin atop a Canneloni of Cabbage stuffed with Couscous
me-beautifully presented slices of Lamb Breast with String beans and Mash
The Dessert was a triumph.
We are not huge dessert eaters, but the Plate of Pistachio and Strawberry treats was a thing of beauty.
Everything Pink and Green.
A Pistachio Mousse with a Strawberry topping.
A Strawberry Macaron with a Pistachio Topping.
We demolished our plates.
The servers could not have been nicer or more attentive.
One actually escorted us to the Taxi.
It was a long delightful Sunday afternoon, despite the sour start.
And all for this for 75E

[Delucacheesemonger]

That menu is sure not on their website, how is one supposed to know?

[erly]

The menu was posted just before the entrance in the walkway.
I had heard about it recently as well but can't recall where.

[souphie]

DCM, the way one is supposed to know is by using that thing called an Internet Browser and also Adobe Acrobat Reader. At grandecascade.com you get the menus including that lunch menu that is actually advertised at 65e without drinks, 85 with wine pairing. When are we going?

By the way, their website is better, but I have some pictures as well -- http://picasaweb.google.fr/ZeJulot/La...

[erly]

Souphie,
Perhaps it was only 65E
As I have said there was no price on the small almost hidden menu.
A bargain for the quality.

[Delucacheesemonger]

Hey HH, used a website of theirs with different results than the real one. May have been older, had full wine list, and three menus, least expensive at 130€. , another one had no wine list but the 65€ menu.Today found other. Glad to go at your leisure.

[olivierb]

I might go soon (we'll have to talk about it, btw), so I checked the menus earlier this week.
I'm not necessarily interested by this one, but the "menu du marché" is actually served at lunch AND dinner (which probably makes it a even better bargain!). However, they mention that it's only offered to "individual reservations". I'm still puzzled by the way it's meant to be understood.

[PhilD]

Depends how you define best experience? A grand palace, or a restaurant full of large extended families, or a food temple?

[pscurfield]

a food temple! I am not as fussy about the room, but i would like great food

[Delucacheesemonger]

My pick of many might be L'Ami Louis, tough reservation though.

[pscurfield]

what is the process for reservations at L'Ami Louis? I have about 5 weeks notice.
Cheers!

[Delucacheesemonger]

l will be going in late October, and am using a french friend for the process. For the week, two weeks in advance is necessary, not more, for the weekend, four is better.
Call, reconfirm, and hope they don't get a better offer as they will toss you. Friends l went with last year saw it happen; Robert Parker came with a bunch of people last minute and forced others out in essence. With all the difficulty, it is worth it to give it a shot.

[souphie]

I can do it if you're very very nice.

[pscurfield]

I will be VERY nice. Je regarde pour une table pour quatre personne la Dimanche le 25 de Octobre... :)

[souphie]

Please email me to iron the details ([e-mail])