The Epicure, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant at The Hotel, is a culinary gem. It was a beloved spot for former President Nicolas Sarkozy, and its food is truly divine. The menu, a delightful fusion of French tradition and fresh local ingredients, presents exquisite delights like stuffed macaroni with black truffle or Bresse pigeon. For the ultimate gastronomic experience, consider the seven-course tasting menu, an extravagant feast priced at €295 (£264). If you seek a more budget-friendly option, the 114 Faubourg, located next door, offers imaginative brasserie-style dishes prepared in an open kitchen, with lunch options starting at €62 (£55). This Michelin-starred restaurant boasts its own street entrance.
Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée: A Symphony of Flavor
The Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée is a showstopping restaurant, showcasing dishes that are both unexpected and incredibly delicious. Its unique approach to flavors, often incorporating intriguing bitter notes, is sure to captivate your palate. Chef Ducasse has made a bold statement by excluding meat from the menu, instead focusing on exquisite seafood like turbot, langoustines, lobster, and caviar. Complementing these delicacies are fresh vegetables sourced from the gardens of Versailles and a variety of pulses. This culinary experience comes at a premium price, with starters ranging from €90 (£80) and main courses from €110 (£98) to €155 (£139). The restaurant’s elegant ambiance is highlighted by silver banquettes, a display of the chef’s culinary tools, and shimmering crystal chandeliers. The restaurant overlooks a charming courtyard that transforms into a skating rink during winter.
Sur Mesure par Thierry: A Sensory Experience
At Sur Mesure par Thierry, guests are invited to indulge in a sensory dining experience within a minimalist, all-white room designed to enhance the flavors. The hotel’s website aptly warns that each dish aims for a profound response, promising a truly memorable culinary journey. The six-course tasting menu, priced at €210 (£188), might include delectable treats like fried chicken wing with spicy squid and crispy ink tuille, or pork backbone with fava beans, acidulous strawberries, and mint. Those seeking a more affordable option can enjoy the hotel’s excellent Camélia restaurant, also overseen by the extraordinary chef, with a five-course lunch menu priced at €85 (£76) from Tuesday to Friday.
Le Cinq: A Culinary Triumph
Le Cinq, known for its commitment to culinary excellence, reached new heights with the arrival of Chef Christian Le Squer in late 2014. The Brittany-born chef, previously known for his three-star restaurant Ledoyen, brought his expertise to Le Cinq, earning it its third Michelin star in February 2016. Chef Le Squer is particularly renowned for his masterful handling of fish and shellfish, crafting innovative combinations of seafood and citrus fruits. A unique starter might include a “deconstructed” onion soup, a testament to the chef’s creativity. Le Cinq also offers a four-course lunch menu for €145 (£130). The hotel boasts two other Michelin-starred restaurants, L’Orangerie and Le George, both awarded one star.
L’Espadon: A Culinary Journey Through Time
The Hotel’s most prestigious dining option, L’Espadon, boasts a Michelin star and a unique atmosphere. Each table is adorned with a cut-glass fish lamp, a subtle nod to the restaurant’s name, which translates to “swordfish.” The restaurant, while maintaining its traditional grandeur with mirrors, chandeliers, Louis XV chairs, porcelain, and silver cloches, could benefit from a modern refresh to better complement the imaginative creations of Chef Nicolas Sale. Chef Sale, fresh from a two-star restaurant in Chamonix, brings a contemporary vision to luxurious ingredients, showcasing his artistry in three-stage starters like langoustine with caviar and a main course of Bresse chicken for two. Set menus are priced from €195 (£174).
The Restaurant: A Touch of Elegance
The Hotel’s namesake restaurant, The Restaurant, earned its Michelin star in 2013 under the direction of Chef Julien Montbabut. Guests can savor colorful and decorative classic French cuisine amidst the elegance of the dining room, adorned with silks and bronze Empire lamps, or in the charming courtyard garden with its soothing fountain. The restaurant’s ambiance evokes a Napoleonic campaign marquee, adding a touch of history to the dining experience. A two-course lunch menu is available from €45.
La Scène: A Modern French Experience
La Scène showcases the culinary prowess of Stéphanie Le Quellec, a rising star in French gastronomy. This restaurant embraces a modern approach to French dining, emphasizing carefully crafted flavors and a focus on seasonal produce and dishes from the South of France. Dishes like langoustine with green tea and mini herb sorbets demonstrate Le Quellec’s masterful blending of flavors. The restaurant’s contemporary ambiance is defined by white leather seats and a striking open-sided kitchen. La Scène embodies the essence of formal French dining, standing out as a true restaurant within a hotel, not merely a hotel restaurant. A two-course lunch menu is priced from €50.
L’Abeille: A Culinary Masterpiece
Since the arrival of Chef Christophe Moret at the start of the year, L’Abeille has experienced a culinary renaissance. This haute cuisine restaurant, named after the Napoleonic bee symbol, is known for its updated grand French cuisine, prioritizing exceptional ingredients and seasonal produce. Moret’s approach, described by some as less intellectual than his predecessor, Philippe Labbé, is refreshing, bringing a modern twist to classic French flavors. The restaurant’s commitment to exceptional ingredients is evident in dishes that pay homage to the tomato, spider crab, and excellent John Dory. L’Abeille now welcomes guests for lunch on Thursdays and Fridays, offering a three-course lunch menu for €88. Moret also oversees the Bauhinia restaurant, offering a cosmopolitan Franco-Asian menu in the former circular cinema, and the Shang Palace, a one-star restaurant located in the basement. The Shang Palace, led by Chef Samuel Lee Sum, is renowned for its authentic Cantonese cuisine, arguably the best in the city.
