Thread: Hotels/Restaurants in Paris

My g/f and I are going to France for a wedding in October. While the wedding is in the the Loire Valley, we plan to spend a few days in Paris afterwards. This is my first time going to Paris, so I'd like to see the traditional tourist things as well as eat some great food.

I need recommendations for both hotels in Paris and restaurants. We do not need to stay at a 5 star hotel, but we aren't broke either.

Thanks!

Sean

you know you can read my blog for restaurants :-)

my three (high-end) recommendations, depending on your mood(s), these are also probably Paris's 3 most respected restaurants right now:

1. Pierre Gagnaire - i've had 3 meals here, one was the best of my life. experimental but not gimmicky, exceeds as textural contrasts, all in a grand, but somewhat under-stated, setting. get the tasting menu - budget around 300 euros/person.

2. L'Arpege - not a grand restaurant, somewhat bistro-ish in feel, but probably Paris's most respected chef. the food is bare-bones but his vegetables are among the best in the world. his seafood is also excellent. the butter and cheese are *exceptional*. there's a "standards" tasting menu that's probably the best thing to - sky is the limit here for budget - figure 300 euros/person or so.

3. Ledoyen - my pick for dark horse - i had one excellent meal here (out of 2.) the room is in a garden and this place is full of diplomats and such. the portions are HUGE so i would suggest splitting each dish (and ordering 4 dishes or so.) the seafood is the star. again, 300 euros/person.


i have more picks, particularly for patisseries and snacking, that i'll have to dig up.

- chuck

Originally Posted by carendt242

you know you can read my blog for restaurants :-)

my three (high-end) recommendations, depending on your mood(s), these are also probably Paris's 3 most respected restaurants right now:

1. Pierre Gagnaire - i've had 3 meals here, one was the best of my life. experimental but not gimmicky, exceeds as textural contrasts, all in a grand, but somewhat under-stated, setting. get the tasting menu - budget around 300 euros/person.

2. L'Arpege - not a grand restaurant, somewhat bistro-ish in feel, but probably Paris's most respected chef. the food is bare-bones but his vegetables are among the best in the world. his seafood is also excellent. the butter and cheese are *exceptional*. there's a "standards" tasting menu that's probably the best thing to - sky is the limit here for budget - figure 300 euros/person or so.

3. Ledoyen - my pick for dark horse - i had one excellent meal here (out of 2.) the room is in a garden and this place is full of diplomats and such. the portions are HUGE so i would suggest splitting each dish (and ordering 4 dishes or so.) the seafood is the star. again, 300 euros/person.


i have more picks, particularly for patisseries and snacking, that i'll have to dig up.

- chuck

Thanks Chuck. What are reservations like for these places? Couple days notice? Weeks?

Originally Posted by Ag Surfer

Thanks Chuck. What are reservations like for these places? Couple days notice? Weeks?

considering the economy, 2-3 weeks should be fine.

other picks:
- Pierre Herme - paris's most celebrated pastry chef, the macaroons are the star
- JP Hevin - one of the best chocolatiers, try the cheese chocolates if they're in stock
- Berthillon - best ice cream in paris, but you have to go to the shop itself (many places advertise they sell it, but that stuff is crap)
- Racines - supposed to be an excellent bistro, very small, i haven't been, but have heard great things
- L'ami Jean - excellent mid-range food
- Breizh Cafe - crepes using some of france's best butter
- l'Etoile d'Or - the best candy star in paris, if not the world, very very selective of the very very best

- chuck

if you like sushi, there is a really cool place called Lo-Sushi, with conveyor belts rotating around the resturant and it pretty fun. also my favorite place for a french steak is Entrecote. by far my favorite place

For hotels (in no particular order):

Hotel Ritz
Hotel Plaza Athenee
Georges Cinq
Hotel de Crillon
Hotel Meurice

Thanks everyone. It means a lot to me.

Originally Posted by carendt242

considering the economy, 2-3 weeks should be fine.

other picks:
- Pierre Herme - paris's most celebrated pastry chef, the macaroons are the star
- JP Hevin - one of the best chocolatiers, try the cheese chocolates if they're in stock
- Berthillon - best ice cream in paris, but you have to go to the shop itself (many places advertise they sell it, but that stuff is crap)
- Racines - supposed to be an excellent bistro, very small, i haven't been, but have heard great things
- L'ami Jean - excellent mid-range food
- Breizh Cafe - crepes using some of france's best butter
- l'Etoile d'Or - the best candy star in paris, if not the world, very very selective of the very very best

- chuck

fab taste! pierre herme = amazing. but i think you missed fauchon, though; my absolute favorite patisserie in paris. even if you're short on time, take the place de madeleine/rue royale off the champs-elysees and just stop by the boulangerie - it'll totally be worth it.

in terms of an actual dining experience, you can never go wrong with robuchon.

and, though i grew up an intercontinental girl, montalambert on the left bank is one of the best hotels in the world (not just paris).

hope you have a wonderful time!!

Originally Posted by token

fab taste! pierre herme = amazing. but i think you missed fauchon, though; my absolute favorite patisserie in paris. even if you're short on time, take the place de madeleine/rue royale off the champs-elysees and just stop by the boulangerie - it'll totally be worth it.

sorry, i was too full and just walked through it will add that to the list for the next trip (fall maybe?)

i also forgot Laduree - not as "progressive" as Pierre Herme (flavors are more traditional) but, i think, the macaroons are just as good.


- chuck

All the good restaurants have already be listed...

Concerning the hotel, here is a romantic one > Hotel Costes.

Concerning the patissery, Fauchon & Ladurée are good but just for tourists (like Fouquet's), I recommand you (it's my french and parisian point of view) Pierre Herme for macarons or Berthillon for ice creams.

Concerning restaurants I recommand you La Maison Blanche (best view in Paris) or the Alain Ducasse's restaurant at Plaza Athénée (my 2 favourites spots to have dinner with my girlfriend).