In Paris - A Tasting Menu with Pierre Gagnaire Himself

Robert and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary by having the tasting menu at the 3-Michelin starred Pierre Gagnaire. It was the best fine dining experience I have ever had - even better than Daniel in New York. The four hours of nonstop amazing food was already A++, but the service was truly VIP. They only served about 15 parties, and Pierre Gagnaire himself visited each table to ensure that they were having a good time.  
 

Me, Pierre Gagnaire, and Robert

I was so shocked when Pierre Gagnaire greeted us during our meal that I forgot to take a picture, so our waiter (he's moving to NY in a few months to waiter at Daniel) asked Pierre Gagnaire to meet us at the lobby to take a picture. Such great service; he was willing to move mountains for us. When we were leaving, I mentioned that I wanted to stop by the Longchamp store and within seconds he went to the computer and googled directions for us.

amuse-bouche

another amuse-bouche

 Series of appetizers:

the appetizers all together

Salpicon of tourteau crab and celery, dog cockles, cucumber / wasabi sorbet

Cremeux of burrata cheese, shredded mortadella and red orach

Jelly of fennel / Bonito fish / mediterranean sardines

Grenailles potatoes flavoured with Sezchuan pepper, coarsley chopped Coeur de pigeon, tomatoes, and Paris mushrooms with miso

Soufleed bread stuffed with a nettle mousseline, young garden broccolis

 Series of entrees:

Gilt-head bream carpaccio with Guernica chilli, Albator tuna and white asparagus; juice of black olives from Nyons thickened with rhubarb, corn bread croutons

Fricassee of Rex rabbit from Poitou flavoured with oregano, leeks, carrots and turnips in sweet and sour sauce; red-leaf salad fondue

The liver pan-sauteed a la Diable, snails petits gris and gnocchis flavoured with garlic cream

Series of desserts: 

 

picking the final dessert - chocolate

Finally ... coffee
 

Last week, I came across the list of the "Top 50 Restaurants in the World" and Pierre Gagnaire was ranked 16. Surprisingly, below L'Atelier. After experiencing both in the same week, I would definitely rank Pierre Gagnaire above L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon. This place is a must! I am in love with this restaurant, and it is by far my favorite tasting menu yet!


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More Information:

Pierre Gagnaire (http://www.pierre-gagnaire.com)

Category: French

Attire: Extra Dressy

Price Range: $$$$$ 

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In Paris - Walking Along the Champs-Elysees

Location: Champs-Elysees, Paris

On day 3 of our Paris vacation, we decided to explore the Louvre. After the Louvre, we walked along the Champs-Elysees and came across this chic restaurant called De Vez.  We decided to eat here to kill time before seeing a show later that night. After a bottle of wine, we lost track of time and missed the show for that night, but thankfully we made it back to see the show two days later. 

Robert + me in front of the Louvre

                                                                                  

Obligatory pose while walking along the Champs-Elysees

Risotto with Morel Mushrooms

Surprisingly, this dish came with a lot of Morel Mushrooms, considering how expensive they are. They are my new love. Yum. 

Terrine of Chicken + Duck Foie Gras

Beef Tartare with Fried Cheese on the Top

De Vez

Dessert - cheese plate

the bottle of wine that made us miss our show!

Eiffel Tower at Night

The restaurant was only a 15 minute walk away from the Eiffel Tower, so after dinner, we decided to take a stroll to see this romantic icon. A friend from work told me about this amazing crepe place next to the Eiffel Tower, but sadly at that point we were too full to eat more.

In Paris - the French Version of the 53rd and 6th Halal Cart

Location: Near the Notre-Dame, Paris

After L'Atelier, I was craving for more local food, aka street food, to balance my food experience in Paris. I saw a picture of the gyros from Maison du Gyros on a food blog and immediately wanted to try some. (sidenote: I am a big fan of the lamb / chicken over rice from the NY food carts.) Once we learned that Maison du Gyros was near the Notre-Dame, we planned our Notre-Dame tour around this fast food Greek restaurant. It was imperative that I try the Paris version of my favorite NY drunk food.

the chicken for my gyro

my 4.50Euro gyro - delicious!

The picture does not do the gyro justice; you can't even see the tomatoes and lettuce in this picture. yummmm.... freshly shaved juicy meat, tomatoes and lettuce drenched in tzatziki sauce, all wrapped in a warm pita. And yes, much better than the ones from the food carts in NY.

Afterwards, we made our way to the Notre-Dame.