Guy Savoy---worth it?
Apr 14, 2005, 8:25 am
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Reality, Freedom • Fly Tarom •
Programs: AF FB Platinum For Life (F+ Rouge Vintage®) / Hertz President's Circle / SNCF Grand Voyageur Le Club
Posts: 10,077
Dorlee, if you are watching your budget on this trip or simply don't want to spend $300 for a meal, you might consider one of these restaurants for lunch rather than dinner. Many of the top Parisian restaurants offer a lunch-only menu which may often be about half the price of the dinner menu(s).
For example, the lunch menu at Pierre Gagnaire is 90 euros (compared to 195 euros at dinner) and at Taillevent it is 70 euros (compared to 130 and 180 euros at dinner). No lunch menu at Guy Savoy, though.
This is very good value for your money, and I find some of the top restaurants a bit more relaxed and less formal at lunch than at dinner.
P.S. If you do try L'Angle du Faubourg and you enjoy wine, don't miss the Taillevent wine shop (Caves Taillevent) just a couple of doors down the street ... one of the best wine shops in Paris, with some suprisingly affordable bottles.
For example, the lunch menu at Pierre Gagnaire is 90 euros (compared to 195 euros at dinner) and at Taillevent it is 70 euros (compared to 130 and 180 euros at dinner). No lunch menu at Guy Savoy, though.
This is very good value for your money, and I find some of the top restaurants a bit more relaxed and less formal at lunch than at dinner.
P.S. If you do try L'Angle du Faubourg and you enjoy wine, don't miss the Taillevent wine shop (Caves Taillevent) just a couple of doors down the street ... one of the best wine shops in Paris, with some suprisingly affordable bottles.
Apr 14, 2005, 8:53 am
#17
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP 3 MM
Posts: 4,576
I went to L'Angle du Faubourg last year. The food was very good and the prices are very reasonable. I took advantage of their €35 menu which was available for both lunch and dinner.
Being hearty eater, the three courses didn't fill me up. But of course no one goes to these places to eat to feel full in the stomach, but to have their senses, eyes, nose, taste, enlightened. After dinner, I hopped over to Laduree to pig out on desserts
Une douzaine de macarons, SVP!
I was most pleased about the service at L'Angle du Faubourg. It was warm, most unpretentious, friendly, and very patient with somebody who doesn't speak French fluently.
Being hearty eater, the three courses didn't fill me up. But of course no one goes to these places to eat to feel full in the stomach, but to have their senses, eyes, nose, taste, enlightened. After dinner, I hopped over to Laduree to pig out on desserts
Une douzaine de macarons, SVP! I was most pleased about the service at L'Angle du Faubourg. It was warm, most unpretentious, friendly, and very patient with somebody who doesn't speak French fluently.
Apr 14, 2005, 9:18 am
#18
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NY Metro Area
Programs: AA 2MM Yay!, UA MM, Costco General Member
Posts: 49,038
Originally Posted by luxury
I have heard similar praise of Bernard Pacaud's cooking at L'Ambroisie. For some reason I have problems with spending 200 Euro plus per person for a vegetarian meal -- while I am sure Alain Passard is a genius with the veggies.... I can't help but want meat for 200 Euro plus....
One problem is that Guy Savoy, L'Ambroisie, L'Arpege, and Plaza Athenee (Ducasse) are terribly expensive restaurants. Last I checked I do not think they offer sub-100 Euro lunch menu's like Taillevent, Les Ambassadeurs, Hiramatsu, and Le Cinq do..... oh, how can I forget, Le Bristol Restaurant is also quite excellent too....
Outside of Paris I enjoyed Le Moulin de Mougins, just outside of Cannes -- my sister and I spent Canada Day (July 1) there one year and it was just so lovely, likely my 2nd most favourite restaurant in the world. Le Louis XV in Monaco was outstanding too, sitting on the terrace with a private view on to the Place du Casino......
Still remaining, Auberge de L'ill in Illhausern; Troisgros in Roanne; Le Pyramide in Vienne; plus a handful of others......
One problem is that Guy Savoy, L'Ambroisie, L'Arpege, and Plaza Athenee (Ducasse) are terribly expensive restaurants. Last I checked I do not think they offer sub-100 Euro lunch menu's like Taillevent, Les Ambassadeurs, Hiramatsu, and Le Cinq do..... oh, how can I forget, Le Bristol Restaurant is also quite excellent too....
Outside of Paris I enjoyed Le Moulin de Mougins, just outside of Cannes -- my sister and I spent Canada Day (July 1) there one year and it was just so lovely, likely my 2nd most favourite restaurant in the world. Le Louis XV in Monaco was outstanding too, sitting on the terrace with a private view on to the Place du Casino......
Still remaining, Auberge de L'ill in Illhausern; Troisgros in Roanne; Le Pyramide in Vienne; plus a handful of others......
Apr 14, 2005, 9:35 am
#19
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: Hilton*D, Marriott*LG, Hyatt*G
Posts: 6,268
Originally Posted by GadgetFreak
I understand. By the way, first time I was at Pierre Gagnaire we had the roughly 100 Euro lunch (including wine). It was their lunch special and very good as well as a spectacular bargain. I dont know if they still have it or not. They did the last time I was there but a friend, who was picking up the tab, insisted we have the ridiculous 7 course lunch or whatever it was. Who was I to argue with the person who was paying.
Another great French with Japanese twist, but costing less than Hiramatsu, is Stella Maris. But I cannot recommend Hiramatsu enough!! In June I am taking my mother to Hiramatsu, Taillevent, Le Cinq, Tan Dinh, and for good measure, Moulin a Vent Cheq Henri, and Quincy or L'Angle du Faubourg!!
P.S. GadgetFreak, sorry, I did not mean to put you on the defensive earlier.... Sorry!!
Apr 14, 2005, 9:53 am
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Reality, Freedom • Fly Tarom •
Programs: AF FB Platinum For Life (F+ Rouge Vintage®) / Hertz President's Circle / SNCF Grand Voyageur Le Club
Posts: 10,077
Originally Posted by luxury
Nobody has mentioned Dutournier's Carre de Feuillants yet? Any reviews? Experiences?
Apr 14, 2005, 9:29 pm
#22
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NY Metro Area
Programs: AA 2MM Yay!, UA MM, Costco General Member
Posts: 49,038
Originally Posted by luxury
Another great French with Japanese twist, but costing less than Hiramatsu, is Stella Maris. But I cannot recommend Hiramatsu enough!! In June I am taking my mother to Hiramatsu, Taillevent, Le Cinq, Tan Dinh, and for good measure, Moulin a Vent Cheq Henri, and Quincy or L'Angle du Faubourg!!
P.S. GadgetFreak, sorry, I did not mean to put you on the defensive earlier.... Sorry!!
Not to worry, it wasnt taken that way. The only problem I have with this thread is that it is making me very hungry!
I havent been to Paris in too long and dont have any visits planned for there at the moment. I will be staying at Gidleigh Park in England for 4 days later in the month. They have a 2 star restaurant there which is really excellent. Some recent magazine article that purported to list the 10 best restaurants in the world included them. Sort of a silly concept, how can one make such comparisions but fun to talk about.
I will have to try some of these places. Hiramatsu sounds very interesting and I wasnt previously aware of it. My two favorite foods are Japanese and French. Thats probably one reason I like Gagnaire so much. I will have to try some of these others as well. Im in Tokyo this coming week and may try to try to get to the Atelier Joel Robuchon but I suspect I will end up with Japanese food.
Apr 14, 2005, 9:41 pm
#23
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 26,543
Dorlee for a rather magic afternoon, you and your friends might wish to stroll the the Bois and have lunch at [Le Pre Catalan. You will be dining in an enchanted forest and eating wonderful food. Lovely experience, which I know you will enjoy.
Apr 28, 2005, 4:05 pm
#25
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,743
I had lunch at L'Angle du Faubourg on Monday. The set menu was great value; 3 courses for 35 euro. You are lucky to get two courses at a run of the mill brasserie for a similar price. Probably 90% of the diners were business men in dark suits.
Two blocks down the road are La Maison du Chocolat and Mariage Freres. That made for a great shopping run after lunch.
Two blocks down the road are La Maison du Chocolat and Mariage Freres. That made for a great shopping run after lunch.
Apr 28, 2005, 4:29 pm
#26
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 26,543
Originally Posted by SanDiego1K
I had lunch at L'Angle du Faubourg on Monday. The set menu was great value; 3 courses for 35 euro. You are lucky to get two courses at a run of the mill brasserie for a similar price. Probably 90% of the diners were business men in dark suits.
Two blocks down the road are La Maison du Chocolat and Mariage Freres. That made for a great shopping run after lunch.
Two blocks down the road are La Maison du Chocolat and Mariage Freres. That made for a great shopping run after lunch.
^
Apr 29, 2005, 7:05 am
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: south of WAS DC
Posts: 10,131
Originally Posted by luxury
Nobody has mentioned Dutournier's Carre de Feuillants yet? Any reviews? Experiences?
The best(price and selection) of SW French wines I have ever seen on a list.
The cooking was ok for a 2*. Not worth making a real effort to return, unless convenient.
The service was horrible. We arrived at the appointed hour, were given our table, and sat for over 30 minutes. No waitestaff contact.
Finally were given menu and wine list, and sat for another 30 minutes before another waitstaff contact.
No improvement during the meal.
I am certain this is not the norm.
Worst service I have ever had in an upscale restaurant.