Paris Fine-Dining Suggestions & Critique

[Bill Hunt]

We are staying at the Hilton Arc de Triomphe: http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel... for five nights, and have begun making plans for some fine-dining in the general area. Right now, we are looking at:

Michel Rostang Restaurant, 20 rue Rennequin
Restaurant Apicius, 20 rue d’Artois
Le Grand Véfour, 17 rue Beaujolais (at least it was not # 20, or I would have been worried

)

We are looking for two other options, or replacements to these. Walking distance is a plus, but a short cab ride is fine too. I have read reviews on CH, of two of these, and they look like a good fit for us.

There will be several bistro lunches, but we are open for the other nights too.

In the US, we have greatly enjoyed Restaurant Daniel, NYC, Le Bernradin, NYC, French Laundry, Yountville, CA, Galatoire’s, New Orleans, LA, Frallon and Campton Place, both in San Francisco, and Le Gavroche Galvin and Gordon Ramsay (most of his restaurants) in the UK. We will be traveling from London, and will likely dine at a few of those UK restaurants, prior to Paris.

Any thoughts?

Thank you,

Hunt

[jock]

Bill, can't seem to find my old email list. Call me on the old Backstreet number. I have a few ideas for your trip.

[Bill Hunt]

Jock,

You found me!

Thank you for the contact, and the comments.

Hunt

[ChefJune]

Nice to see you on the French board.

Two suggestions -- not starred but wonderful. I think you'd enjoy dinner at Maceo. Menu is modern, very French, wonderful. And the wine list is excellent!

The second is Josephine, Chez Dumonet. Food and service are very good, but the wine list is aMAZing with it's good values for older wines. Here's a great place to splurge on an old Sauternes with your foie gras. ;)

[Bill Hunt]

ChefJune,

While we do enjoy many "starred" restaurants, we do not "collect" them. Good food, great service, fine wines in a comfortable atmosphere, are what we enjoy.

Thank you,

Hunt

[Parnassien]

In addition to the other excellent recs:

(all in a 10- to 20-minute walking radius of your hotel)
Caius on the rue d'Armaillé for very superior neo-bistro fare
Rech on the avenue de Ternes for shellfish (great fruit de mer platter) and fish
Dominique Bouchet on the rue Treilhard for master chef precision but not a very surprising menu.

[Bill Hunt]

Fabulous! Like I mentioned, "walking" gets extra points with us.

Cabs are OK, but walking is much better.

Thank you,

Hunt

[Delucacheesemonger]

Welcome to the French board,

Le Grand Vefour has a very good cheese course in a spectacular room, ask for Colette's table. The food is not what it was but good enough to enjoy the place as is. Service is wonderful.

Rostaing is like someone's home, generous and a bit severe, but his quenelle and potatoes dauphinoise make the trip a joy. Skip desserts. Their bargain lunch is indeed a bargain.

For your wine interests you might consider both La Villaret and La Truffiere, both very wine oriented. Better prices at Villaret , better food at Truffiere, great wine lists both.

Consider Saturne, has contemporary excellent food, but only one menu a night with no choices, and a huge very odd appelation wine list that is mostly bio.

[porkpa]

Guy Savoy and Taillevent are both within walking distance of where you are staying. I love both of them.

[Bill Hunt]

Now, we have done Guy Savoy's restaurant in Las Vegas, NV, USA (not MY sort of town, but there IS good food), but have never done his Paris restaurant.

Will look very closely, into this rec.

Thank you,

Hunt

[Bill Hunt]

Those are some great insights, and I am very thankful for them.

We are still many months out, so I have time to work over my rough list.

Greatly appreciated,

Hunt