My friend Carol and I recently dined at Restaurant Le Meurice in Paris. This three Michelin star gastronomic restaurant is inside Le Meurice Hotel. Both the restaurant and the hotel are beautifully decorated with ornate gilding, Louis VI period crystal chandeliers, antique mirrors and large marble-framed windows that overlook busy rue de Rivoli. The ceiling is painted with a beautiful sky with angels, and fabulous landscape paintings adorn the walls. The Limoges china was stunning and matched the mosaic patterns on the floor.
The food was absolutely exquisite. We started with housemade foie gras served with toast and perfumed with honey. That was followed by pan-roasted dorade with saffron-flavored mussels and tiny potatoes. The next course was a lobster served with a delicate wine sauce. We had a cheese course with five beautiful French cheeses from various types of milk and regions. Our dessert was a delicious and beautiful dish of roasted pears with a stunning vanilla sauce. (Of course, we also ate all of the petit fours that came out with our coffee).
The service could not have been more perfect.
This experience was expensive but totally worth it for a treat or a special occasion.
Restaurant Le Meurice
228 rue de Rivoli, 75001
Paris, France
Tel: +33 1 44 58 10 10, Fax: +33 1 44 58 10 15
http://www.meuricehotel.com/restaurants_bars/rb_2.html