The Best French Restaurants V

Pages:  1, <--  2, <--  3, <-- 4, <--5               Newest Restaurant Page

                                        By Alain Neyman

       His informative Parisian restaurant site can be found at: 
                                 http://www.lesrestos.com 

Many wonderful things are happening in Paris;

LE PARK - HOTEL PARK HYATT PARIS VENDOME

The most recent Parisian ‘palace’ to refer to the talented Jean-François Rouquette – ‘as coming from the Muses’, the restaurant of the hotel Scribe - the new PUR GRILL DU PARK HYATT and its original rotund dinning room that views the open kitchen.  The refined clientele comes to pleasure itself with langustines royales on a bed of mango pulp, lemon grass and pepper menthe; the straight, long bar amply supplied with peanuts and smoked taramasalata; and the citrus fruit and spiced lollipop sorbets.  A shinning gastronomy, that is both generous and precise in its preparation.  The mahogany walls, covered with ornate Chinese ink drawings on parchment; the white columns and the overhead lighting create an exceptional theatrical atmosphere.  The Chef’s talent, already well appreciated by the diners, will be rapidly repaid by the Guides.

A la carte, from 60 to 100 €¤ ; Menu à 120 €¤. Open every day.

LE PARK - HOTEL PARK HYATT PARIS VENDOME - 5, rue de la Paix - 75002 Paris - Tel: 01 58 71 10 60
 

RESTAURANT DROUANT - ANTOINE WESTERMANN

Following its renovation, the opening on January 2, 2006 of the Restaurant DROUANT is a real Parisian ‘happening’ since this high alter of gastronomy where the Goncourt Prize is awarded – the most prestigious of the literary prizes – has been taken over by the great three star Alsatian Chef Antoine Westermann who has become the new owner.  The architecture, decoration and the comfort of the rooms is remarkable, the Ruhlmann staircase, for reaching the dinning rooms, is also spectacular.  Antony Clemot has left the kitchen at “Mon Vieil Ami”, on the Ile Saint Louis, to become the manager of the restaurant.  The Cuisine served is an original in itself, and is another great success:  The assortment of entrées, course accompaniments and desserts is regal.  The talent is at your service.

For lunch, a dish for 20 €¤; à la carte from 55 to 70 €¤. Open every day.

RESTAURANT DROUANT - ANTOINE WESTERMANN - 16, place Gaillon - 75002 Paris - Tel: 01 42 65 15 16

NATACHA - ALAIN CIRELLI

This is a mythical Montparnasse address where all the stars have come to dine.  After his arrival, Alain Cirelli receives his lunch and dinner customers anxious for the cuisine of this brilliant student of Lasserre, Gérard Vié, Alain Dutournier and Pacaud à l’Ambroisie, who treats us with a convivial French Cuisine.  Don’t miss the house foie gras de canard au naturel, chopped Parmentier “Natacha” and for dessert, the clafoutis aux poires.  The walls are covered with modern paintings.  A beautiful place where one feels comfortable in an artistique and refined setting.

Lunch for 19 and 26 €¤; à la carte from 30 to 45 €¤. Open every day except Sunday and Monday.

NATACHA - ALAIN CIRELLI - 17BIS, rue Campagne-Première - 75014 Paris -  Tel: 01 43 20 79 27

6 NEW YORK

Here one finds one of the most beautiful views of the Eiffel Tower; but it’s for the cuisine of Jérôme Gangneux, the associate of Jean-Pierre Vigato, that one comes to 6 NEW YORK and to appreciate the latest creations, in an elegant and comfortable setting.  Let yourself be seduced by the charlotte de tourteau and the avocado pear splashed with lime and curry, the pasta shell risotto with truffle juice, the steamed fillet of bass and his tartar of shell fish on a bed of watercress and sea juice, and for dessert, pineapple ravioli and kiwis with mango juice and exotique sorbet.  Beautiful contemporized decorations and delicious service.  The residential address has a surety value for distinguished gourmands.

For lunch, 30 et 35 €¤ ; à la carte 40 to 60 €¤. Open every day except Saturday noon and Sunday.

6 NEW YORK - 6, avenue de New York - 75116 Paris - Tel: 01 40 70 03 30

SENSI

On December 31, 2005, this neogastronomic restaurant, operated by Anissa Raiah, opened just two steps from the Champs-Élysées.  Anissa offeres a ‘market’ cuisine based upon products that have been carefully hand selected.  The Sensi’s Chef excels with ravioles de cabillaud au gingembre, crabb lolipops with fresh coriander and green sauce, the veal shanks pressé aux asperges et parmesan; for dessert, don’t miss the crémeux de mascarpone and his gelée à l’orange and coffee.  The inviting and chic rooms – on a floor for non smokers is a delightful boudoir – that attracts the stars of show-business.  Be sure to go there, “C’est si bon”!

Lunch at 24 and 28 €¤; à la carte from 25 €¤. Open every day except Sunday and Monday.

SENSI - 1bis, rue Jean Mermoz - 75008 Paris - Tel: 01 42 90 29 10

BON

Just around the corner from the stylish boutiques of the rue de Passy, is the inescapable area magnet.  Customers are drawn here, noon and evening, for the cuisine of Bruno Brangea.  The good news is that one can also come to the new ‘tea-room’, in its warm and soothing setting, all day long; perfect for coffee sipping or after a day of shopping.  Tea-time enthusiasts can taste different tidbits while enjoying a large selection of tea:  Grand Jasmin Chun Feng, Darjeeling Margaret’s Hope, Grand Yunnan Imperial…to accompany crystallized fruit cakes, fondant au chocolat, macaroons and Turkish delights.  The ‘tea-room’ is open Monday through Friday from 3 to 7 pm.  The décor of Philippe Starck, the creator, is worth a visit.

Salon de thé from 12 €¤.  À la carte in the restaurant from 30 to 60 €¤. The restaurant is  closed Saturday noon and Sunday.

BON - 25, rue de la Pompe - 75016 Paris - Tel: 01 40 72 70 00

STEAK & LOBSTER

The Steak & Lobster, located between the rond-point of the Champs-Élysées and the Faubourg Saint Honoré, has been rapidly noticed by the sophisticated gourmets and by lovers of fresh products.  Yan Duranceau, the young Chef, treats us to the house’s specialty: Steak and Lobster, but also with lobster prepared in various ways: risotto de homard, the pasta de jour, the grilled meats, the millefeuille à la vanilla de Tahiti or the Baba au rhum ambré.  The chic décor and the movable furniture attract an elegant and informal clientele in the evenings, but also for a quick, gourmand lunch of Manhattan Sandwichs or Burgers.  This is an obligatory visit.

Lunch for 24 €¤; à la carte from 22 to 60 €¤.  Open every day except Saturday noon and Sunday.

STEAK & LOBSTER - 26, rue Jean Mermoz - 75008 Paris - Tel: 01 53 53 98 00

CHEZ CECILE - LA FERME DES MATHURINS

Cécile Desimpel has left his bistro “Chez Elle”, located in les Halles, to relaunch the bistro “La Ferme des Mathurins” in the chic Madeleine area, with the cuisine of the young Chef Stéphane Pitré who has just arrived from the Ritz in London.  The list of market products hits the bull’s eye with a parfait de foie gras in a Campari gelatin, the fillet of bass steamed with basil and the white manger coco, Martinique style.  Great selection of wines!  One must have dinner with swing and jazz by Matthieu Boré on Thursday evenings and let yourself be seduced by the songs of Cécile.  On the walls, one finds the owner’s collection of libertine photos.

For lunch from 22 to 32 €¤; diner from 30 et 35 €¤.  Every day except Saturday noon and Sunday.

CHEZ CECILE - LA FERME DES MATHURINS - 17, rue Vignon - 75008 Paris - Tel: 01 42 66 46 39

LA FERRANDAISE

In September 2005, a meat’s bistro, La Ferrandaise, was setup in the traditional Latin Quarter, just two steps from Luxembourg Gardens.  The new owner, Gilles, has placed the cuisine in the hands of Nicolas Duquenoy, a young and talented Chef who comes from the Relais Louis XIII, the two star restaurant of Chef Manuel Martinez.  “Le Ferrandaise” is a little known, but tasty, breed of cattle from the mountains of Auvergne.  The meal commences with a crème of Jerusalem artichoke au foie gras, after the meat one leaves some space for the “Ferrandais” farm cheese and a dessert of crème d’amande aux fruits secs.  This rive-gauche atmosphered bistro is a success.

Menu from 23 à 30 €¤.  Open every day except Saturday noon, Sunday and Monday.

LA FERRANDAISE - 8, rue de Vaugirard - 75006 Paris - Tel: 01 43 26 36 36

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