Paris, the City of Lights, is renowned for its gastronomic delights, and its hotels are no exception. They boast some of France’s finest restaurants, offering culinary experiences that captivate the senses. This article explores two of Paris’s most enchanting dining destinations within prestigious hotels.
Les Jardins de L’Éspadon: A Greenhouse Oasis
Nestled within the iconic Ritz Paris, Les Jardins de L’Éspadon is a sun-drenched haven that transports diners to a Parisian greenhouse paradise. The $400 million restoration of The Ritz Paris is a testament to its enduring grandeur, and Les Jardins, with its airy ambiance, is a shining example of the hotel’s revitalized spirit.
The restaurant’s teal metal arches evoke the charm of a Parisian train station, while the lush greenery, art deco lawn chairs, and exquisite linens create an atmosphere of elegance and joy. The attentive staff, including the unpretentious wine director, Estelle Touzet, adds to the dining experience, ensuring every detail is impeccably executed.
Chef Nicolas Sale‘s culinary creations are a masterpiece of refined French cuisine. The tasting menu is a journey for the palate, featuring dishes like a creamy foie gras terrine with sweet yellow plums and lemony verbena, and delicate tortellini stuffed with mussels and artichokes, all perfectly complementing a juicy fillet of pan-fried dorade with a vibrant saffron sauce.
Sale’s signature nubbins of lobster are elegantly presented in an intense reduction of cherry marmalade, ginger, and verbena stock, showcasing his refined approach to seafood. The desserts, crafted by the acclaimed Best Hotel Pastry Chef of Les Grandes Tables du Monde, François Perret, are a celebration of seasonal fruit, as evident in the Einset grape compote and sorbet and the lovely yellow plum Tarte Tatin.
Les Jardins offers a memorable dining experience with its elegant ambiance, exceptional service, and culinary artistry. The price points are reasonable for the quality and sophistication of the food and service.
V: A Modern Oasis at the Hotel Vernet
Steps away from the bustling Champs-Élysées, the Hotel Vernet offers a peaceful escape in its sophisticated restaurant, V. The restaurant’s most striking feature is its exquisite stained glass art nouveau barrel ceiling, designed by the legendary Gustave Eiffel, which bathes the dining room in soft Parisian light.
V presents a modern contrast to its historic surroundings with its Matisse-like figured carpet, cushy armchairs in vibrant colors, and open kitchen. This contemporary design complements the classic French cuisine offered by Chef Richard Robe.
Robe’s seven-course tasting menu, priced at a remarkably affordable €95, showcases his unique culinary vision. Dishes like the fat Scottish langoustine, barely cooked and served with Spanish citrus, passion fruit-avocado puree, and seaweed leaves, demonstrate his skillful use of fresh ingredients.
Robe’s pink-orange rouget, based on a recipe from Paris’s famed La Taillevent restaurant, is a refined and sophisticated dish, featuring zucchini flowers, ratatouille of eggplant, sweet tomato and onion, and a saffron-scented seafood soup. His rabbit, smoked barbecue-style and served with a rabbit rillette patty, potato gnocchi, and parslied girolles mushrooms, is a classic dish with a modern twist.
V’s desserts, like the little cannons filled with ganache and chocolate gelato, and the seasonal fruits topped with intensely flavorful fruit sorbet, are as lavish as the savory dishes. Robe’s innovative approach to flavor and presentation makes him a chef to watch.
V offers a unique dining experience, combining classic French cuisine with contemporary culinary techniques in a stylish and inviting atmosphere. The restaurant’s affordability makes it an excellent choice for discerning diners.
