I'm taking my girlfriend to Paris over Christmas, and would like to book a nice restaurant for our last night in the city. At the moment I'm leaning towards Les Ombres, through photos and reviews it seems like it may be a great at to end our trip. We're a young couple (20) so I would prefer something more on the modern side, though I am open to any suggestions as I'm currently a but stumped. Any help would be most appreciated, thanks all!

I haven't been to Les Ombres, but it sems like a nice place.

Not sure of your budget, the modern twist on an old Paris classic is les 110 Taillevent. Or Violon d'Ingres maybe. L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon is quite modern...it is pricey.

Les Ombres generally gets decent reviews, Yelp, etc, but it didn't fare well on Chowhound; "terribly mediocre, very average "tourist" food and pretty poor service, Les Ombres is a spectacular setting, awful food". The first reviews were in March of 2010, the latest in April of this year without much of a change in option; " l would remove Les Ombres from my list. It was my worst meal in France in 28 years, the Quai Branly museum, however, is fantastic".

The chef, Arno Busquet, trained under chef Joël Robuchon, which says a lot, but the restaurant didn't make the short list in Patrica Wells' "The Food Lover's Guide To Paris".

Opening at 7:00 pm for dinner usually indicates a tourist destination. The French generally do not dine until after 21:00 (9:00 pm).

liyoko Such a new member probably doesn't have enough experience to realize that both Gracejoan and denisea are valuable posters when it comes to Paris restaurants. I haven't seen any valuable contributions from you. lol

Thanks mamalice...would love to be gracejoan!

How funny!! I could give you a list of restaurants a mile long..those I like and those that I do not like.

I have found that unless you know the likes, dislikes well, that it is best not to recommend.

I only have one couple (good friends) who we seem to enjoy the same places...if one likes, so will the other.

Otherwise, I can only say what I like..you may not feel the same way....

As you know, Denise, I will have the short 1 week trip ahead of your Christmas trip. I will also be in London for part of it, so not time to 'discover' anything. Will do that after first of year when I will be there for a couple months.

Have fun....

a bientot....

Joan

Hr

tnorwood93:

I ate as a solo diner at Les Ombres in 2007.

As you probably know it sits atop the wonderful Musée du Quai Branly, the museum devoted to the arts and civilization of Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas, which had opened that year and is definitely worth a visit.

I greatly enjoyed the food and service at Les Ombres. And, yes, it is expensive.

That night they allowed diners to go outside the dining area itself to look out over Paris. Some took photos. At 10pm the lights of the nearby Eiffel Tower, already on, began twinkling magically, which obviously added to the evening.