Ahh…Paris! Is there a more beautiful city on the planet? The grandeur of the architecture and the city’s spectacular views never cease to amaze. It’s easy to have a good meal in Paris…easy to have a fabulous meal when foie gras and perfectly roasted meats abound. If you’re planning a summer getaway to France, plan to spend at least a few days in Paris!
The artistry of the food in Paris is breathtaking. The beautiful pastries at Pierre Hermé, including their marvelous macarons, are show-stoppers and taste every bit as sinfully delicious as they look.
La Maison Angelina’s world-famous Mont Blanc pastry put the brakes on our meal. I literally put the fork down between bites and slowly savored each taste of its chestnut cream dome that caps an even creamier center and a meringue crust. Unbelievable to me that the French women are so slim with temptations like these!
We enjoyed some wonderful meals, but there was one restaurant that stood out above the others. An experience that was truly spectacular and unique–an evening I’ll not soon forget.
La Dame De Pic—the most sensual restaurant I’ve ever experienced. Situated not far from the Louvre, this amazing spot is a delight for all the senses. The décor is quite stunning in its simplicity. The color palette of the interior – white. Crisp and clean with single, red, long-stemmed roses in vases that dot the tables.
The kitchen is the stage. It is open to the dining room for all to see the orchestrated precision of the chefs creating their masterpieces plate by plate. The work space is chic and contemporary with beautiful induction stove tops and state of the art equipment.
Upon being seated at La Dame de Pic you are presented with three scents on three strips of paper. Each represents one of the three tasting menus offered that night. The choices included ‘Autumn Leaves’, a light aromatic blend of spices like tarragon and ginger with a hint of flowers. The second choice was ‘Aromatic’ boasting an even spicier aroma, and last was a menu called ‘Menu Exotic’.
The musky tropical aromas of the last choice were tantalizing, and that’s the menu I chose. It was phenomenal. From the peanut butter marshmallows, tiny soft cubes exploding with peanut butter flavor to the finale of the elegant Vacherin dessert, this meal truly lit our senses on fire.
I don’t know if it was the power of suggestion or if the fragrances from the ‘Menu Exotic’ were somehow infused into the food or on the plate, but the perfume scents on the menu upon first arrival were ever present throughout our meal—a very whimsical and tantalizing adventure.
The sommelier added even more special touches to the evening. He was great fun and paired each course perfectly with the delicious Burgundian wines.
La Dame de Pic’s owner is Chef Anne-Sophie Pic – said to be the best female chef in all of France. Her first restaurant in Lyon boasts three Michellen stars. This Paris spot already has one star. I expect it will collect more.
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