Le Grand Vefour

My wife and I would like to treat ourselves to a true dining experience in Paris. We are planning on going to Le Grand Vefour for dinner.

We%26#39;ve noticed that there is a set menu price of 250 euro. What does this typically include? Is the set menu a good idea or are we better ordering a la carte? Frommers indicates that entrees are around 70 euro a la carte...why would the set menu be 250 euro and an individual entree be 70 euro?

We are prepared to splurge but we would like to know what the bill would be at the end of the evening with wine.

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In such restaurants, such as Grand Véfour, Laurent or other real Haute Cuisine, the fixed price menu is the very best way to discover and enjoy the specificities of the Chef and his staff.

Such menus are usually composed of about 10 different dishes to give a %26quot;test%26quot; of different flavors, type of food. Don%26#39;t be afraid by the number, as each dish is really small.

Be aware, though, that this is a *lot* of food all in one, so don%26#39;t eat too much before. This is certainly the most surprising thing : small quantities, but really enough to be satisfied.

The reason for which it is cheaper than à la carte is not related to quantity nor quality. A fixed menu is prepared according to a known sequence for the cuisine staff. In other words, it is cheaper because they can prepare the meal faster, as they do not have to work according to a specific demand, but can prepare the whole meal (and thus buying in the morning the components) in a more masterized way.

(I don%26#39;t know if i%26#39;m clear about that !)

So in summary, a menu in a 3 stars restaurant is like a private counceiling from the Chef to discover his work.

I strongly recommend it if you are not used to haute cuisine.

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Follow Denys excellent advice! Just a few notes to add:

In addition to what you see on the set menu there were be a few supplementary %26quot;courses%26quot; that are not necessarily listed, but which you will be served. At the Grand Vefour I remember some tiny appetizers, chocolates with the coffee and a mid-meal palette cleanser.

Sometimes we go out to these kind of restaurants for the ambience, in which case we go at night, but usually we are going for the food, and then we like to go for lunch. This way we have all afternoon to walk off the TON of food we have just consumed and I am more apt at sitting for long periods in the afternoon than in the evenings (our meal at the GV was 3 1/2 hours long). An added bonus is that the price is generally cheaper.

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Sorry for the late reply but I wanted to thank you for your feedback. We have decided to do lunch instead of dinner at Le Grand Vefour. It will probably be easier on our wallet and the experience will still be great.

Thanks!

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And after lunch you can take a stroll through beautiful Palais Royal gardens (closed at night)

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