Special Feature: Products Sally Recommends

8 Top Paris Restaurants


by Ashley Ashoff

L'Arpege
84, rue de Varenne
75007 Paris
Tel : +33 (0)1 47 05 09 06
www.alain-passard.com

L'Arpege is by far my favorite restaurant in the world. It is a small quiet gastronomique restaurant in the 7th in front of the Rodin museum, famous for their fresh vegetables from Alain Passard's garden. The Lalique panels on the walls of the restaurant are beautiful. The bread is delicious and the fresh butter is as good if not better than the butter in Normandie. The highlights of the meal I had there last include rack of lamb wrapped in grape leaves and for dessert espresso ice cream in a citronelle sauce and dulce de leche drizzled on top. I also enjoyed trying a macaron made of beets. I was fascinated by the fact that Alain Passard, the chef, does not use an oven. They cook things over very long periods of time. The waiters are delightful. I'll never forget one of the waiters one time translating for my mother the fish dish being cooked "with no aggression" meaning no high temperatures, no oven.

 

L'Entrecote
(three locations in Paris)
101, Boulevard du Montparnasse
75006 Paris
+33 1 46 33 82 82
15, rue Marbeuf
75008 Paris
+33 1 49 52 07 17
20, rue Saint-Benoit
75006 Paris
+33 1 45 49 16 00
www.relaisentrecote.fr/

This is a classic French restaurant that you can't leave Paris without trying. The waitresses are almost all over 40, charming and wearing these adorable black and white uniforms. There is always a line out the door, but it's well worth it. They are famous for their signature green steak sauce that is out of this world that comes with the best French fries in Paris. There is no menu, so when you are seated, they ask you how you would like your steak cooked and they come out with a delicious salad with walnuts with a wonderful slightly spicy vinaigrette and then you receive two servings of steaks with french fries. There is a menu for dessert, and I highly recommend the vacherin (layers of meringue, ice cream and chocolate sauce), the profiteroles and the chocolate legoise (similar to a chocolate pudding).

 

Gusto Italia
199 rue de Grenelle
75007 Paris
+33 1 45 55 00 43

Gusto has the best pizza in Paris. It's a tiny little place with lots of prepared antipasti. They do take out, which is rare in Paris. The owner is a character, and there is a wonderful neighborhood feel to the place. My favorite is a simple pizza bianca with
mascarpone with bresaola and rucola (roquette in French and arugula in English.

 

Le Stresa
7, Rue Chambiges
75008 Paris
+33 1 47 23 51 62

For a more formal Italian dining experience, I recommend Le Stresa. They make a wonderful sole, and I love their wild strawberry tart for dessert. It is a small very cozy restaurant with wonderful service.

 

Le Fouquet's
99 Avenue Champs Elysees
75008 Paris
+33 1 40 69 60 50
www.fouquets-barriere.com/

I often go to Fouquet's for a traditional French meal. The waiters are fantastic, especially the sommeliers. The food is excellent and there is so much history at Fouquet's. Election night Sarkozy celebrated over dinner at Fouquet's. They serve my favorite Normandie salted butter at Fouquet's. Their signature chocolate dome dessert is wonderful.

 

L’Ami Louis
32, r. du Vertbois
75003 Paris
+33 (0)1 48 87 77 48

They are famous for their "poulet de Challans", which is roasted chicken. I also suggest their escargots de Bourgogne and their foie gras. This is a very nice French bistro, a favorite of many Parisians.

 

Robert et Louise
64, Rue Vieille du Temple
75003 Paris
+33 1 42 78 55 89

A charming rustic French restaurant in the Marais. It is small. You share tables with other couples and groups. Their steak and potatoes are delicious cooked on a grill.




Taillevent
8, Rue Lamennais
75008 Paris, France
+33 1 45 61 51 40
www.taillevent.com

This a gorgeous gastronomique restaurant. I highly recommend their lobster risotto and their steak. They serve wonderful fresh fish too. I love how they prepared their bernaise sauce the last time I was there.


 

Ashley Ashoff is an American born designer living in Paris. She can be reached at: aa@ashleyashoff.com


Note: This information was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the businesses in question before making your plans.

Share this article with a friend:

Earn a chance to win a free cookbook every week: Get Sally's eNewsletter!

Free eNewsletter SignUp

Sally's Place on Facebook    Sally Bernstein on Instagram    Sally Bernstein at Linked In




Global Resources

Handmade Chocolates, Lillie Belle Farms

Food411 Food Directory