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L'Arpege Review

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L'Arpège

$$$$, Haute French, Invalides

User Rating: *** 3.3

Fodor's Review:

Breton-born Alain Passard, one of the most respected chefs in Paris, famously shocked the French culinary world by declaring that he was bored with meat and fish. Though his vegetarianism is more theoretical than practical -- L'Arpège still caters to fish and poultry eaters -- he does cultivate his own vegetables outside Paris, which are zipped into the city by high-speed train. His dishes elevate the humblest vegetables to sublime heights: salt-roasted beets with aged balsamic vinegar, leeks with black truffles, black radishes, and cardoon with parmigiano-reggiano. Fish dishes such as turbot cooked at a low temperature for three hours are also extraordinary. The understated decor places the emphasis firmly on the food, but try to avoid the gloomy cellar room.

Member Reviews & Ratings:

Shockingly overrated

Posted by boban from San Francisco on 9/10/07

Pretentious, mediocre food. Claustrophobic setting (we were seated 3 feet from an entrance door with guests and waiters frequently bumping into our chairs). Service: nice hostess, no menu in English (but hostess does her best to describe it), we were not offered aperitifs (actually, we were offered a glass of Champaign which we refused, after which no alternatives were offered) Wine is savagely overpriced Best part of the meal: butter, bread, pallet cleanser

FOOD: 2.0

ATMOSPHERE: 3.0

SERVICE: 4.0

VALUE: 1.0

RATING: 2.4

Superb!

Posted by Craig from Sydney on 7/14/06

We went there some years ago now, but everything about this restaurant was superb. The staff was friendly (unusal for Parisiens) and it wasn't stuffy (unusualy for a restaurant with this many hats). It was the best meal we have eaten, before or since - as it should have been, it was very expensive. But the value was there.

FOOD: 5.0

ATMOSPHERE: 4.0

SERVICE: 4.0

VALUE: 3.0

RATING: 4.2