Best Restaurants You've Ever Been To

Ok, I'll take a chance. I just called American Express and had them make a reservation.

 

Dave - unless the rules have changed in the past 18 months, you need a collar and jacket. However, if you really want to make a 'scene' of it (I didn't the 1st time because I was on a work gig, but did 2nd time I was on a date, and decided to play the game), arrive without both, and watch the theatre unfold... Have a blast. P.S. Centurion concierge always have 2 tables on permanent hold until 2 hours before (ostentatious doesn't even come close). Have fun.

 

Lasserre looks to be quite reasonable for a 4 course meal... have not been.

 

the last time we were at TFL it was still very good, Per Se - however I could seem some cracks ... service was not as good. this was just before COVID. but we are talking TLF in 2019. I know Keller personally, so I think he's just slowing down a bit... finding it harder to get key staff.

I do like Robuchon's places - have not been to the one in Metropole ... but in London probably one the best meals, and it was so un expected. the one in Vegas is a bit too showy, but the food is still very good, and to me that is what counts.

Le Grand Vefour in Paris I think just has the best of it all.. great food Guy Martin is excellent and he's at the stove every day... and location is beautiful and historic along with very good service... attentive without being overbearing, and still a touch snooty and formal. that is why its my fav.

 

Vincent's in Riga Latvia, the photos, in the first one, 2013, we were celebrating my main book coming out and also the novel I wrote at her suggestion, a very special day. Look at my desert; an iceberg to keep the sorbet cold...but don't let this make you think it is a gimmicky place, absolutely not, just brilliant. Second shot was 2015, can't wait to go back in July

http://www.restorans.lv/en/home/

When you leave or arrive in Riga, a beautiful city really worth visiting, it is very nice to take the ferry to Stockholm Sweden, it leaves at 5PM and arrives late morning the following day, a very nice mini cruise.

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Okie dokie, you guys just made my life easier. I'll be in Paris 2 night. So Laserre on night one and Vefour on night 2.

 

I recommend Cafe Marly at the Louvre for lunch - relax, sit and watch the world go by while drinking wine and some foie gras or cheese... You cant get better view and a better place to hang out.... the architecture alone is worth it. while it sounds touristy, it's not. the food is good... not spectacular but good.... but location is perfect. even If you don't go into the museum at all. OR pre-dinner / post dinner drinks at Harry's on 5 Rue Danou..... bloody mary's and or james bonds...

my other lunch hang spot is the Cafe Vauban on place Vauban which is diagonal from Les Invlides... food is ok nothing special but great view, good wine, great place to relax outside, under the trees, chat, and absorb Paris. just enough view, people and food & wine.

 

We hit the fresh markets each morning after coffee. So lunch is usually the baguette, brie, and bottle of rose, we picked up served in the Jardin des Tuileries or the Jardin du Luxembourg.

 

.....and we always schedule our train departure for early afternoon so we can have the lamb for lunch at Le Train Bleu.

 

Been through that train station a million times but never dined there, I need to put it in the agenda.
Anecdotally that is where Mr Bean eats a whole lobster -with shell- and finds it hard work
The waiter, played by wonderful and hugely popular actor Jean Rochefort, is perfect as the snotty Parisian dealing with ze eegnorhant foreigner turist

Just enter eating in Paris funny clip classic Mr Bean in youtube

 

Dave:

Many of the tables and banquettes at Le Grand Vefour have little brass plaques denoting whose table that customarily was. When you call for a reservation ask for Napoleon & Josephine’s table by the window...your dining companions will be mightily impressed.

Alan
N.J.
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My favorites (not in any order):

Fluer De Lys - San Francisco (now closed) Hubert Keller
Le George Four Seasons - Paris
L'Osier - Tokyo
Joel Robuchon - Paris & Vegas
Quince - San Francisco
Athenee - Paris
Le Pavillon - Zurich
Le Bernardin - NYC
French Laundry - cliche' but really good food

 

lol, I don't anyone has to worry about @dstacy meeting dress code!

 

<chuckle>

 

Haven't been to Harry's. Thanks for the tip, its on the schedule now.

 

His seat is up against the window on the collonade side, just as you come in. Colette is actually better as its in the corner. great view of the room. As a Napoleon fan I had to go 3x before I could get his table. It was not le Grand Vefour at the time of Napoleon - but Cafe de Chartres.... Jean Vefour came in the 1820's - but its about the worlds oldest restaurant as we know restaurants today. well worth the trip. Say Hi To Chef Martin for me!

 

I love Harry's - my wife does not. It can get busy - and is usually filled with French vs. Tourists...I usually try to sit at the bar - service can be ... Parisian at the tables. the piano bar downstairs is way too tight for me...

 

Any of you been here in Cannes? Pretty pricy.

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La Villa Archange, 2 stars gourmet restaurant in French Riviera – Relais & Châteaux (relaischateaux.com)

 

Well, we're back home. We had dinner at Le Grand Vefour and Lasserre. I wish I could say we had a good experience at both.

Le Grand Vefour was a disaster. The inside seating was closed so all seats were outside. It was very obvious that most of their servers were new and very little knowledge of the entrees and menus. We ordered a starter, a couple glasses of wine, and an entrée, which were served promptly. Sadly my veal was cooked like a brick. Once we were served the entrée we never saw a server for the following 45 minutes. When I finally got up and went inside to inquire about a second glass of wine and some water I was apologized to and told they'd be right out. 20 minutes later I went back in, told them to forget about the wine & water, and asked for a check. The manager brought the check 15 minutes later and as he handed it to me said, "I'm sorry we didn't do well."
Helen and I walked across the Palais Royal to the café on the corner and ordered a bottle of rose champagne, a cheese plate, and a chocolate mousse. It was pretty great!

Lasserre was a lot of fun. When we arrived they had the roof closed. Helen asked the head captain about it and he told her that someone had been pulling her leg. He emphatically stated the lovely gold ceiling wasn't going anywhere. He definitely had her going as he walked across the restaurant and flipped the switch. They both laughed.
The plating was excellent. Food quality and service was top notch. The veal served with duck foie gras wrapped in the skin was just lovely. It was pricey but we knew that going in.
How did I do on the dress code?


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Dave:

I’m very sorry to hear Le Grand Vefour was so far off the boil...that’s very disappointing. I’ll be in Paris shortly but I’ll be damn sure to avoid them until they get their mojo back (which they inevitably will).

I’m thinking of heading to Guy Savoy at the Mint again...our first time there was superb. Have you heard anything about Guy Savoy recently?

Alan
N.J.

 

Thanks for the sympathetic thoughts.

No, I don’t have any “new news” on Guy’s but I’m with you, it was great the last time I was there.

 

I'm impressed. I don't see any stains on your suit.

Well done!!

 

That’s why I have my arm pressed to my side, I’m trying to cover the Rago spaghetti sauce stain from the last time I wore the jacket!

 

….and by the way, to those of you heading over bring your wallet. Prices are WAY up. With the fall of the dollar against the Euro and the general increase in prices I saw prices that were between 30 and 50% higher than my last trip.
It was NOT cheap.

 

Any recommendations on the French Riviera?