There are so many Paris restaurants to choose from, and so many reviews which help to some extent but can be slightly baffling. Having just spent a week in Paris I discovered that, particularly if you’re on your own for the odd meal and looking for a quick, not expensive but delicious lunch, one of the best places to go, and very central, is Lafayette Gourmet, part (unsurprisingly) of mega-store Galleries Lafayette, situated on the Boulevard Haussmann right next door to the other mega-store Printemps.
Both these stores are wonderful for expensive fashion, beauty products, menswear and accessories although I didn’t shop there as most of what they offer is less expensive in England. You can find the occasional brand not represented in the UK but the majority are, and the adage that if it’s made in France it must be less expensive in France doesn’t work as you’ll see to your cost if you fall in love with something. There are other places to shop, more about those next post.
As far as Paris restaurants go, and back to lunch, you should pay a visit to Lafayette Gourmet, the food hall of Galleries Lafayette, which is totally worth a walk round, full as it is of goodies you can’t buy other than in France, wonderful chocolates, herbs and spices and far too much more to list here. There are also several restaurants. I lunched twice at Greek cafe Mavrommatis within Lafayette Gourmet but you can choose from everything from sushi to French cuisine. Well worth a visit.
On to dinner. Firstly to Market, in Rue Matignon, contemporary, mid-priced and filled with a young, chic crowd. The food is from the kitchen of chef Jean-Georges who has restaurants all over the world and offers a fusion of Asian-French cooking with the odd Italian dish thrown in including pizza and home made fettuccini. Everything is beautifully presented and delicious.
If you choose carefully you don’t need to spend a small fortune, as you do in many Paris restaurants, and situated as it is just off the Rue Faubourg St Honore with its wonderful shops, close to everything from the Madeleine to (above) Galleries Lafayette and Printemps you may well like to give this a try when on a day’s shopping or a stay in Paris.
Finally on to Le Dome, one of Paris's most famous Brasseries specialising in seafood. Don’t expect to save money here, this is a place for serious diners who are looking for the best, but if you’re having a celebration or you want a truly memorable meal you should pay a visit to this superb Paris restaurant, situated on the Boulevard Montparnasse. The seafood is exquisitely fresh and prepared without over embellishment. Expect an exceptional meal. Don’t try and visit Le Dome without booking, you almost certainly won’t get in.
With both Market and Le Dome you should book, either call or book online:
Restaurant Le Dome - Address: 108 Boulevard du Montparnasse, 75014 Paris, France. Phone:+33 1 43 35 25 81
Online Booking and more information.
Restaurant Market - Address: 15 Avenue Matignon, 75008 Paris, France. Phone:+33 1 56 43 40 90 Online Booking and Website here
