Petit Boutary, located out in the 17th Arrondissement, is the younger sibling of the upscale, highly-acclaimed restaurant, Boutary, in Saint-Germain-de-Prés, south of the river. Feel free to wear you cotton khakis or jeans and enjoy a sophisticated tasting menu in a casual ambiance without the pretense. We recently enjoyed a gourmet 3-course meal at lunch for only 35 euros. That’s gourmet dining at brasserie prices.
Epicure features an 8-course tasting menu that is, as always, perfectly executed and beautifully plated. The ambiance, overlooking the garden at the hotel, Le Bristol, is unmatched in Paris. Experience a main-course dish a la carte for 125 euros. This is the most favored fine-dining experience in Paris by consumers garnering close to 6-stars on all consumer review sites.
Le Pré Catelan features an opulent ambience in a stately old building in one of the city’s most beautiful parks. The execution and elegant plating of chef Frédéric Anton’s 10 to 13-course tasting menu is beyond reproach, earning the restaurant 3 Michelin stars. There’s no a la carte menu but a 3-course lunch menu is available for only 140 euros, a bargain compared other restaurants in Paris boasting similar accolades.
L’Ambroisie has maintained a 3-Michelin-star rating continuously for more than 30 years yet isn’t much favored by contemporary, younger diners looking for a more innovative and less traditional menu. Yet the location, interior of the design of the restaurant continue to please the old guard. No tasting menu here. Just a short collection of a la carte offerings, immaculately executed and elegantly plated.
Atelier Maitre Albert, owned by Guy Savoy’s restaurant group, brings an interesting twist to the Parisian restaurant scene. It’s a unique take on a traditional steakhouse offering a variety of meats blasted on a massive rotisserie style broiler at the rear of the restaurant. You can typically book a 3-course lunch for under 50 euros. Considering the sexy, dark ambiance and high quality of food and service, we think that’s a bargain.