Hello all - I just made reservations for dinner @ Le Train Bleu and my husband is questioning whether we should try a Michelin restaurant (my husband is fascinated by Michelin ratings since watching Gordon Ramsey on BBCA). Anyway, is a Michelin restrauant really worth the effort and intimidation factor (it%26#39;s our 1st time in Paris)? Maybe we should try one haute cuisine and one traditional restaurant (I have no idea what Le Train Bleu would be considered). Thanks!
Michelin restaurants:
Grand Vefour
L���Ambroisie
Arpege
Le Cinq
Taillevent
Lucas Carton
Ledoyen
Plaza Athenee
Guy Savoy
Pierre Gagnaire
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There will be no %26quot;..intimidation factor..%26quot; demonstrated by these restaurants---at least none that they create. The only %26#39;intimidation%26#39; that will exist, will be in your own minds, if you allow it. These establishments pride themselves on being among the BEST IN THE WORLD at what they do and at least some part of this is making their patrons comfortable...serving and feeding them VERY well.
If you want to sample their cuisine, many have significantly reduced-price luncheon prix fixes which begin in the 75-80 Euro per person range (excluding 15% gratuity and beverages). These luncheon specials provide all of the same quality of food, service and %26#39;..theater..%26#39; as dinner for a LOT less.
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Actually, there is an entire book of Michelin restaurants in Paris... you are talking about three stars.
For something more casual you may want to look into one of the restaurants with a Michelin Bib. These are restaurants designated by M as being great value for the fare. All of the restaurants that they list are good, even without a star or a bib.
As for Le Train Bleu, I think that it would be considered a restaurant touristique, but don%26#39;t let that put you off as the chef is from le Grand Vefour and the Crillon, so his training is definately three star!
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A friend recently reported that dining at Guy Savoy was like being among the very most devoted of old friends. She said she%26#39;s never been treated so warmly, anywhere in the world. Of course, prices are astronomical. Expect the experience to cost about as much as your plane tickets.
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I%26#39;ve been to all of these places except L%26#39;Ambroisie and Arpege. Every single one of the is EXCELLENT. But certainly there is an air of formality about each of them. We are, after all, talking about the finest dining in the world. The best, in my opinion, has to be Taillevent.
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I%26#39;m looking forward to my Michelin star experiences in Paris in July. (Jules Verne and L%26#39;Arpege)
As a side note, we have a couple of 1* Michelin restaurants in my home city of Birmingham, UK, and I visited one for my birthday. If I%26#39;d chosen a reasonably priced bottle of wine, instead of splashing out, the food bill would have come in at less than ��100 for two people. It%26#39;s still a lot of money, but the standard of service, ambience, quality of food and everything else was many times better than a normal restaurant over here which average about ��50 for two plus drinks. I%26#39;d say it%26#39;s definitely worth splashing out on a Michelin star if you can.
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Hi,
Living in Paris since 7 years now, I made 3stars restaurant one of my favourite hobbie%26#39;s.
First, there is no comparison possible between Le Train Bleu and the other restaurants. Le Train Bleu is a nice restaurant, quite typical Parisian atmosphere... but the food is not exceptional.
If you have the opportunity (and the budget) to go to one of the 3stars you%26#39;v mentioned, don%26#39;t hesitate at all... it%26#39;s really worthwhile.
To me, Gagnaire, Savoy and Le Cinq are the best I%26#39; ve made. Wonderful service, incredible food... unforgettable experience... zero default.
Le Grand Vefour and Taillevent are better known from their reputation and history than for their current food quality and service level ... but it remains superb addresses of course.
I would recommand you to avoid Arpege, the most expensive from the list (300 euros for a menu) not sure it%26#39;s jusfified with the overall experience you could live.
I would be pleased to read your comments.
KR
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L%26#39;Ambroisie bumped our Saturday night reservation the weekend after the election despite our phone confirmation: l%26#39;ordre francais!
I was appropriately indignant but not mal elevee; they finally got us a cab and an immediate reservation at Laurent: a very shabby substitute. Vicious!
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Not really worth it... There is so much to dining in Paris, so many fantastic places; you don%26#39;t need to go somewhere because a guide book told you so. It is not the typical French experience: it is supposed to be busy, buzzling, waiters are supposed to be somewhat rude ;) None of this will take place in a michelin resto... Although Plaza is great. If you decide to pick one pick that one, then go to the bar for after dinner drinks.
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We have tried a few of these places.We have been to Taillevent twice and will return this fall - We found it to be a great experience - They were friendly, helpful to four Americans who have limnirted French vocabulary. The second time we were they they remembered the kinds of wine we enjoyed and stayed within our wine budget. while offering high class wines. (Don%26#39;t be afraid tio let them know your [price range - it is helpful to them and avoids unpleasant surprises at bill time). Our bill there has averaged about eight hundred for four people
We also enjoyd Arpege but found it inordinately expensive and with a somewhat limited menu choice as it tends towards vegetarrian and fish. Our meal was wonderful but the bill for three was a thousand dollars - OUCH!
Grad Vefour was a disappointment to us - The food was great but the service was niot - There was a famous person there the night we went and even though it was not crowded, they really did not have enough time for us - we felt ignored and as a result would not return
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What happened to Jules Verne? Did it fall off the list with its new chef?
IMO, Michelin restaurants become a better deal when you leave Paris proper. (eg in Burgundy)
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