Valentine’s Day: the top restaurants to book for latecomers
If you missed the boat on our gastronomic world tour here, it’s probably too late… But we’ve thought of everything. For the latecomers, the absent-minded and other overbooked Parisians, here are the best restaurants where you can still try your luck. After all, you can’t put a price on declaring your love in beautiful surroundings!
For gourmets: Saint-Germain at Lutetia
We recommend the restaurant of the only palace on the Left Bank: the Saint-Germain, at the Lutetia. For Valentine’s Day, Chef Benjamin Brial has concocted an exceptional menu that includes a glass of champagne, followed by foie gras mi-cuit, langoustine bathed in a light bisque of coconut milk and lime, delicious roasted scallops with semi-salted butter and, finally, Cour d’Armoise poultry (in puff pastry, Pontoise cabbage, black truffle and pearl juice). To finish on a sweet note, the restaurant offers the ‘Rose Rouge’, a baba infused with pomegranate extract, vanilla mousse, rose jelly & pomegranate sorbet… Exquisite dishes to enjoy under the restaurant’s arty glass roof. For the ultimate romantic dinner, Saint-Germain is definitely the place to be!
Le Saint-Germain au Lutetia, 45 Boulevard Raspail, 75006 Paris. 01 49 54 46 00
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For lovers of fine poultry (and truffles): Le Coq Rico
For Valentine’s Day, Antoine Westermann has concocted a special menu featuring the black diamond, from starter to dessert. On this special day, the barnyard treasures enjoyed at Le Coq Rico will exhale an intense, refined flavor through this marriage with the Mélanosporum truffle from the Vaucluse. Carefully selected by the Chef in his fiefdom at Grignan, this nugget will be offered to you in its full season and full aroma.
A la carte: poultry cream, boiled egg or pâté en croûte for starters. Then, to continue, you can choose between roast quarter challans, poule au pot or savory risotto. Finally, fresh truffle ice cream or dark chocolate mousse with grapefruit marmalade – the only truffle-free dish on the menu! – for those who can’t get enough of this culinary orgy around this exceptional product. The meal can of course be accompanied by delicious wines chosen by the head sommelier… At Le Coq Rico, the Valentine’s Day menu will give lovers wings and is sure to delight truffle lovers!
Le Coq Rico, 98 rue Lepic, 75018 Paris. 01 42 59 82 89
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A feast for the eyes: Maison Blanche
Maison Blanche boasts an exceptional setting, with a large terrace offering an exceptional view of the Seine and the Eiffel Tower. For February 14th, the restaurant is offering a most romantic evening. Oysters in tempura, langoustine and veal loin, before finishing with a farandole of sweet delights… Chef Fabrice Giraud has imagined a gentle dinner with the flavors and colors of love. This magical experience will be accompanied by special treats throughout the evening, and the lucky ones could even win a night at the legendary Plaza Athénée Palace!
… or Le Bustronome
Le Bustronome is a Parisian institution that needs no introduction. This Valentine’s Day, declare your love in an original way… aboard the famous bus for a unique gourmet journey! You’ll enjoy a top-flight meal while admiring the capital’s most beautiful streets and monuments. On the menu for the evening of February 14th, in addition to a glass of champagne, 2 glasses of wine and 50cl of mineral or sparkling water, coffee or tea, you’ll enjoy a number of exceptional dishes. Pressé de foie gras and apricot chutney, sea bass carpaccio, pan-fried foie gras escalope, pistachio-crusted turbot fillet, duck supreme followed by neufchâtel and pomme d’amour to finish on a high note.
Le Bustronome, 2 avenue Kléber 75016 Paris. 09 54 44 45 55
Par Mélanie Hroorakvit
