Taillevent
 

I am so excited! Thanks to all of the information on this board I just made reservations for dinner at Taillevent in Paris. I emailed them directly and they responded overnight. Now here's the question...obviously I know you have to dress for dinner here (men in suits) but how dressed for ladies?? If anyone who has eaten here or other finer restuarants in Paris for dinner has some recommendations I would appreciate them! <BR>Merci!

Yes, men and women MUST be in suits at Taillevent ... otherwise you will feel quite out of place. This is not just another three-star ... many see it as the eptiome of formal, fine dining in Paris. This is not a restuarnt for the average tourist. Open only during the week, and reservations like hens teeth, be careful to dress accordingly. I assume you checked out their menus at their website. Enjoy Paris, but do not downplay Taillevent. If you dress well, they will treat you as if you were the only people on the face of the earth. You may take my words to heart. Ciao

Wendy: <BR> <BR>I wore my little black dress and pearls for dinner there and fit right in. It is a very, very formal restaurant. The food and service are exquisite. Be prepared to pay for it, but it will be well worth it. Enjoy!

Fantasic responses! Thank you both! I have dined at Jules Verne before but it was at lunch so of course the dress code was a bit different. Thanks again!!

I took a black pants suit to Paris for all "good" restaurants, and wore high heels,no blouse and pearls also! I felt fine dressed that way wherever we went and it was an orgy of fantastic eating:) Have a wonderful time~~~

Wendy- I took black velvet pants and a red silk overblouse and was very comfortable at Taillevant. It helped that the pants had an elastic waist to accomodate all that yummy food. I saw a woman with a suit jacket and just a spangly bra under it and her friend had a metallic blouse with no back. They were French so I guess they can get away with it. Have a great time!!

AGM! that was me!! <BR> just kidding~but I did wear the same sort of thing. Black silk suit jacket alone, with suit trousers.It is fun when you know you are dressed well and the waiters sort of hover, know what I mean:) Enjoy the experience Wendy!M

Looks like another reason to go shopping (sigh!) haha!

Yes, I have eaten at Taillevent and it was an experience, to say the least. And you will pay through the nose for it--our bill was $750 for two. I have to disagree with Leone, however. Yes, you must dress in semi-formal attire to eat at Taillevent. But, how you dress has nothing to do with how you will be treated. In places like this, with international reputations, they treat everyone with respect. So, whether your suit is Brioni or JCPenney, you will feel very welcome.

Wow!$750 for a dinner for two? Is this the norm for this restaurant? I was just entertaining the thought of maybe noting this on my file for a future trip but I am not ashamed to say I cannot afford this kind of extravagance. <BR> <BR>I understand from a previous poster that this is a "world renowned" restaurant, but this does make me wonder, are most of the "good" restaurants in Paris expensive? What could one expect to pay for a dinner for two, including a bottle of wine? <BR> <BR>Thanking you for your input.

I know that Taillevent's sampler menu is 850FF which is about $120 each and that does not include wine (or the champagne I plan to drink!!) But drinks can add up so fast! My mom and I had lunch at Jules Verne and spent $300 with only 2 glasses of wine!

DJ, the bill at places like Taillevent, Gordon Ramsey, Le Bernadin, San Domenico, etc. have nothing to do with the food and everything to do with the wine(s) ordered. A bottle of 1971 Petrus, for example, will set you back $9,000.00 USD at a place like Taillevent. So, that said, it is possible to dine here at a somewhat resonable cost if you just drink water.

Estella, I don't think you're very familiar with the wine list of San Domenico.

Estella, <BR> <BR>The problem is I cannot fathom eating a lovely dinner or lunch without a nice bottle of wine (or at least 2 glasses each for hubby & I). At which point, just order a bottle, but I don't need to order the most expensive bottle of the house. Can you not get a somewhat decent bottle of wine for under $50 as in Italy? Or do the wine lists at the "good" restaurants start at a higher caliber? <BR> <BR>Anybody?

Where are some restaurants where a couple can go with wine and spend around $150 - 200? Can anyone suggest any places they have tried and really enjoyed? Thanks, Hope

Hope <BR>there are many <BR>I love le Violon d'Ingres for example; have been there a few times, but the price will edge toward your $200 limit. <BR>I also like very much <BR>Chez Julian, Corner of 1, rue Pont-Louis-Philippe and 62 rue de l'Hotel de Ville. Historical building, simple but pretty decor, excellent food. A la carte about $60-$80pp, there is a less expensive prix fixe menu. Wine also available by the glass. Closed Sun. Restaurant had a cameo appearance in the William Hurt film <BR>"The Accidental Tourist". It's one of my favorite places in Paris. <BR>

DJ, you can't get a bottle of wine at Taillevent for $50. I have never seen anything on the wine list for under $95. A 1995 Phelan Segur, that would be about $32 in a wine store in the US, would be at least $100 at Taillevent. You don't have to eat at Taillevent to have a wonderful dining experience in Paris, however. There are plenty of more affordable places.

<BR>DJ: <BR>Most restaurants in Italy will serve a very acceptable table wine/house wine at very reasonable prices. If you stay away from tourist restaurants and upscale "in" places, wine need not be a major expense in Italy. Also, Roman food, somewhat unlike French, is mainly designed for the working man, by the working man. The most expensive restaurants do not necessarily offer the best examples of Roman food. In fact the exact opposite can be true.

Wendy, <BR>My wife and I have had dinner at Taillevent twice in the last year and loved it both times. <BR> <BR>They are extremely nice and really make you feel special. <BR> <BR>The Sommelier, I believe his name is Nicholas, will help you pick a wine that fits your meal. Just to give you an example, the first time we ate their, I asked about a Bordeaux from the early 80's. Nicholas suggested another wine with the meal we had chosen as he thought it would go better. The wine he suggested was at least $50 cheaper than the wine I had chosen. Not many other restaurants would sell you a CHEAPER bottle. <BR> <BR>Make sure you leave room for the Cheese tray, desert, and an after dinner drink. <BR> <BR>Have fun.

Phil, Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I really appreciate the wine info. My boyfriend and I love wine but mainly know Wa. and Ca. reds. We will definately take advantage of Nicholas!!