Last night I was treated to dinner at Café de la Paix in the world-renowned hotel, Paris le Grand. The invitation put a nice Cinderella spin to my disastrous weekend spent dealing with a leak in my apartment and a pair of clueless pot-bellied plumbers attempting to fix it.
Dressed up in my finest glad rags I head to the swanky 9th arrondissement. I had heard the restaurant and hotel described as ‘historic treasures,’ but I wasn’t quite prepared for the level of prestige on display. After stepping one foot inside, it was clear to see how the building was designed by the same architect of the Opéra Garnier. From frescoed ceilings to crystal chandeliers, Café de la Paix is literally dripping with Second Empire opulence.
Gazpacho, Onsen (slow-cooked) egg
After showing us to our table in the Carré Opéra dining room, the waiter returned with a sparkling tray of ruby-tinted kir royals. Chef Christophe Raoux (former executive chef for the Alain Ducasse Group) has managed to produce a menu that’s equally lavish to the grand surroundings.
All I can say is that the food speaks for itself. So sit back and enjoy a healthy dose of food porn!
Butcher’s cut - grilled beef fillet
Saddle of rabbit tagliache olive oil, polenta, summer savory
Mi-cuit tuna, cardamom, grilled bell peppers confit
Something has to be said about this carpaccio of sea bream & Macha green tea – my favourite dish of the evening. Thin slices of fresh bream perfectly flavoured with dried seaweed and black sesame seeds. The dish was adorned with petite pink rose petals that almost made it too pretty to eat…almost!
And as for dessert, feast your eyes…
Raspberry shortbread, vanilla bean mousseline, strawberry and rhubarb coulis
Cherries in an almond clafoutis with clotted cream and cherries in kirsch
Millefeuille du Café de la Paix
Where?
Café de la Paix – 12 Boulevard des Capucines 75009 Paris * Métro – Opéra
How much?
Menu du Marché from 18:00 to 19:30
- 1 course for €27
- 2 courses for €36
- 3 courses for €46
What’s playing today?
I Wish I Knew How It Would Feels To Be Free by John Legend & The Roots
