This was one of he best meals of my life. I was vegetarian for 10 years. Now I eat chicken and fish. But this.... this was 14 courses of the most exquisite, creative, and satisfying all-vegetable wonderland that exceeded my expectations. From the raviolis in verveine infusion, to the squash soup with garlic whip cream, to the celery, yes celery ice cream, I reveled in every single bite. And so did my husband, who has never been a vegetarian and loves himself a good steak every once in a while. I recommend the lunch, which is cheaper and allows you a leisurely day of decadence. Magnificent! read more

L'Arpège - Vegetarian steak tartare- made from beets! Fantastic! - French Near Me - Paris, 75

The three hour lunch tasting course was amazing. I would do it again in a heartbeat!! As a vegetarian of 20 years, I was thrilled to finally be eating here. Chef Alain Passard introduced vegetarian fine dining to Paris at a time when it was unheard of, and I couldn't wait to see what he had dreamt up for the tasting lunch. My boyfriend and I dined for over THREE hours. It was heavenly...one hour per star for this 3 Michelin star restaurant. Ryan eats meat, and so was pleasantly surprised to find that they have meat courses for those non-veg diners. Course after course was just amazing...so creative. Flavours that you would never think to put together blended so well. One dish especially stood out...the plate had a pile of cooked spinach, with a small scoop of candied lemon preserves, and a scoop of orange-carrot purée. When tasting each individually, they were ok. But when we each had a bite with all three things together, it was just heaven in my mouth! At the end of the meal, the chef himself came up and met with each table. This was a treat as I had assumed he wasn't the one actually preparing our food. He was so warm and friendly and took a picture with me too. Any vegetarian foodies out there that go to Paris, this is a MUST! Dinner will be about twice the price, so if you're watching your spending, do lunch. It was €145 per person and SOOO worth it!! read more

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Exceptional and worthy of its accolades. The menu may be mainly "just vegetables" but the clarity and precision with which they're cooked are super high, and the result is extreme deliciousness. The "chimere" takes a lot of skill to cook two meats nicely at the same time. Chef Passard is an artist and a great chef. Service was nice, from the start to the wine. Got a nice bottle of Jacques Selosse VO for a pretty good price! It doesn't need to rely on the traditional style of luxury ingredients for the dishes to be knockouts. The dishes may be seemingly simple at first but they are astonishing. This place is one of the very top for me. read more

I came here for dinner with my boyfriend while visiting Paris. I was pretty excited because I'm pescetarian, so I was eager to try all the vegetarian dishes as well as some seafood ones. It was great, but not quite as amazing as I was expecting for a three-Michelin-star restaurant. For one thing, they have two dining areas: the dining room upstairs, which is very upscale, and the one downstairs, which looks like a cellar, with exposed brick walls and low arched ceilings. It was cute but not as nice as the regular dining room, so when they led us downstairs, I was disappointed. I was more upset when I realized that we were seated in what was clearly the foreigner room, since no one in the room was French-- I believe there was a Japanese couple, a German couple, and a few other groups of Americans. So then it felt like we were sequestered away from the classy French diners upstairs. The food was truly great, but not the most memorable. I've had more imaginative vegetable dishes elsewhere. To top it off, they forgot to give us one course, which we noticed because other diners received a bowl of soup that we didn't get. And then toward the end of the savory part of the tasting, the service got really slow. We were waiting at least 20 minutes between each dish. It got so bad that I was falling asleep out of boredom. I felt bad, but I really think they need to work on the pacing of the meal. Unfortunately I won't be back to see if they've improved-- I have better restaurants to try. read more

L'Arpège - Strawberry caprese salad-- delicious! - French Near Me - Paris, 75

This was our first time dining at a 3 star Michelin restaurant and all I can say is wow! We went for lunch and selected the daily chef's tasting menu, which cost about 145 euro. We ended up having about 12 courses, 10 of which were vegetarian. Everything is made with fresh fruits and vegetables from Alain Paissard's garden. It was unlike any other fine dining experience we ever had. We both felt the value for the meal was great! We were there for about 3 hours total, so I recommend carving out an entire afternoon or evening for dining here. We saw many guests skipping courses because they had other things planned for the afternoon, such a shame to miss out on any of the outstanding courses we tried. If you are in Paris, you must come try Arpege, if not for a pricey dinner, at least for lunch! Tip- you can make reservations online! read more

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Food is technically beautiful to look at, but lacking in heart and soul. Food is less than mediocre, lacking in creativity and inspiration. tastes and flavors we're off. No Harmony. Definitely not recommended. We are a foodie couple from San Francisco California USA. September 18,2019. We have dined at several Top 50 restaurants and Michelin starred restaurants around the world including Gagan #4 in Thailand, Narisawa #22 in Tokyo, Pujol #12 in Mexico, Central #6 in Peru, and 5 of 7, 3 Michelin star restaurants in San Francisco. All this to say we know good food when we taste it. Unfortunately, Aperge was a complete and utter disappointment. We did the 9 course tasting menu at 420 Euros. Not a single dish showed any inspiration or creativity. Except for the corn soup and garlic cream, delicious in it's simplicity, everything else was less than mediocre. The lobster was drowning in sweet and sour sauce and overpowered the sweetness of the lobster. The food was in short below mediocre. I would definitely not recommend this restaurant experience in Paris or anywhere else for that matter. I'm sorry chef, but you have be better than this. The food is technically sound but lacking in heart and soul. read more

Another insanely great restaurant in Paris. We made a reservations 40 day in advance for dinner on a Tuesday. We were pleasantly surprised that the chef pass by each table in the restaurant and said hi! (Have to admit didn't know about the place until saw Chef's Table France) We choose the tasting menus which included meat for 390 euro. They have another interesting tasting option which is only vegetarian option for 320 euro. The restaurant is popular for vegetarian dishes given in 2000 they only served vegetarian dishes and kept all of the three Michelin stars. All the dishes were exceptional so I won't go into details. I'll just highlight that the shallot was amazing. Also didn't expect that an ice cream which had a tomato would be great for dessert! Overall this restaurant is a must in Paris. read more

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Vegan done as never done elsewhere. 13 plates, 3:45 hours but no doubt world class, flexible and without peer. read more

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This is the best meal I have ever had. It wasn't just the food but it was also the experience. The food which was focused on vegetables was amazing. The waiters were classy yet humorous. The sommelier brought us great wines. It was laidback (as is the dress code) but so elegant. We went for lunch since it's a steal compared to dinner but for a tourist it takes up a lot of your day so think twice if that's not that what you want. Do not worry about money here. Sit back and enjoy what it means to eat like royalty in a casual sitting. read more

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This was up top on my list and I made lunch reservations well in advance. I didn't know it was purely vegetarian, and I would have wanted to try dinner instead had I known. There were plenty of yummy tasting dishes, but I think my favorites were the steamed egg and salad. Could I find something similar elsewhere? I think so. Our main course was a "burger" that was disappointing. I would've preferred it to not have been called a burger at all. Chef Passard came around to greet all the tables and we were fortunate to speak to him for a few minutes. All in all it was a fun meal to experience as a vegetarian, but I didn't walk away feeling impressed, especially considering the price! FYI: We did ask for two steak knives as a memento which the hostess kindly obliged. read more

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When my husband and I planned our Paris vacation, L'Arpège was one of the things we were both extremely excited about, especially since we don't eat meat and typically consume pescetarian & vegan dishes. Alain Passard is the renowned chef who pioneered a plant-based menu at his 3-Michelin star restaurant, all stars of which have been achieved with meat. He has a compelling episode on Chef's Table France that is worth the watch. Everyone expected him to fail & lose his stars, but he didn't, and his dishes have continued to impress. This lunch is easily one of the best dining experiences of or lives, and kudos to all the chefs & waiting staff who have made the experience palpably mesmerizing and magnificent. The food was inventive and delicious, if not outstanding!! We ordered wine as well, and it paired with the dishes perfectly. It was a great experience and the money we spent was well worth it!! read more

French decadence in a small restaurant, the creativity flowing from their gardens is abundant and worth the excursion. One of the first things that you will notice is that the venue itself is quiet small. Decor isn't anything otherworldly, simple and classic table settings or general visuals around Arpege. An odd thing is they keep the doors shut and locked until exactly 12:00PM for lunch, even if it's raining (which it was), however I cannot fault them for that. The venue has seating in the bottom floor, which is cramped, and a very very small bathroom that is shared among many guests, if that sort of thing matters to you. Service is proper and excellent, every waiter is willing to assist or take your request - service feels formal even though the attire and venue isn't overly formal. As a diner eating by myself I felt welcomed by the staff and a sense of being paid attention to even though there were many other parties. The waiters all spoke English which also made me feel much more comfortable as I didn't speak french. The venue didn't get the best natural light, which isn't something that I factored into my review but if you're trying to document your meal, ask for a seat close to the window. Onto the meal - the first garden welcome bites were warm with a soft texture, colorful and light crispness, all its different elements painting a vibrant entrance into your meal. The cucumber gazpacho was light in texture and quiet in its presentation, with tons of mint, being overly mint forward. One of my favorite dishes wasn't on the menu, so I cannot describe what it was other than memory - maple syrup egg cream - the temperature was perfect and the breakfast vibe was undeniable. Then came the flowery vegetable sushi with fig leaves, a nice display of earthy leaves with sweet/sour seafood flavors, lobster again with the perfect texture. The trilogy of raviolis's soup was a little astringent but the summer vegetables within were delicious, different from each raviolis. Green beans were mind blowing, so savory and buttery rich, the right crunch throughout. Quiberon clams seemed more on the traditional side, light foam was airy and didn't have a larger bearing on the taste of the dish. Coastal fish from Jura was divine, the sauce was rich and it took everything in me not to try and clear the plate with my fingers trying to get the sauce. It didn't exactly look sexy or gorgeous, but the flavor was perfect, how you dream fish should taste. The liver was served a way I wasn't expecting it, almost like in a bread? I didn't eat it, but when you're eating 12+ courses in another country, I can't hold something I don't understand against them - Visually it looked great. The beet tartar gets it's own paragraph as it was one of the wildest, most inspiring dishes I've ever had. It's taste and mouthfeel are without a doubt a vegetable version of the classic beef tartar and it was perfect. The plating, the presentation, the colors, the taste - all otherworldly. It taste's extremely close to the original, which I have no idea how they did that but I would return to Aperge simply for this dish. Rotisserie chicken was also exactly what you imaged it would be, excellent crisp to the skin however much more robust in flavor then I was expecting. The vegetables were all delicious, sweet or earthy in the right ways. All the vegetables served throughout the experience is what you dream vegetables are supposed to taste like with purity and freshness. Deserts were some of the best I've ever eaten anywhere. Profiterole stole a lot of the show at the end, plated with style, the flavor was a young persons morning delight. It tasted like breakfast cereal but better, crunchy caramel ice cream puff pastry magic. At this point in the dinner I was so full and ready to explode, I honestly don't recall the Millefuille other than the plate it was presented on and it's texture all being eye candy. Over all, while many of the plates themselves weren't unique, the platting for most of the dishes did the talking. If you're looking for quintessential-high-end-French food with a refined dinning experience, I highly recommend L'Arpege. read more

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We had a horrible dining experience and thus wrote (below) to the head chef, only to receive an in-sincere and insipid response which was clearly unacceptable! Such a poor experience, in return for all the time and money we invested based the chefs reputation, is pathetic! We frankly suspect Chef Passard had not received our message from his staff, since it's hard for us to image how and why a culinary leader of his standing and reputation will hesitate to address the matter in a respectful and equitable manner. If that is indeed the case, we hope the Chef will do the right thing here! If however our ill-experience has transpired with the chefs knowledge, all we can conclude is that L'Arpege is a 'tourist trap' (we only saw tourists dining there) which is exploiting the chefs reputation to churn fast money without delivering on its brand promise, which if true; would be disgusting! --- Summary of our message to Chef Passard @ L'Arpege ... Our family of 3 had a terrible experience at dinner on July 26'2022 ... - Food: our overall food experience was thoroughly unrefined and thus underwhelming relative to the 3 Michelin Star rating of your restaurant. It was in fact inferior to most mediocre restaurants we've visiting during several years of global travel. - Ambience: Instead of a refined or enjoyable atmosphere, we experienced the clanking of dishes that were being gathered and stacked right behind our table, in the middle of the dining area. As a result, instead of diners having a relaxed time, we were constantly distracted by a sea of servers chatting and stacking used dishes around us. - Service: Instead of a professional and refined service experience worthy of a reputed restaurant, we were shocked to be served massive bread slices on top of half-eaten pieces already on our plate. Likewise, the portion sizes of courses like the 'Gazpacho' and 'Collection de tomates' courses were disproportionately large with very unrefined presentations. Likewise, the fish course which was presented exceptionally poorly and tasted sub-average at best. More shockingly, one of our fish course plates was missing a potato, which the server later dropped on the plate as an afterthought. Likewise, the Mille-feuille dessert course was grossly oversized to a point where it toppled when the server set down one of our plates, and she went on to simply set it back straight without even wiping off the crumbs from the fallen piece! The disgusting food presentation and service experience compelled us to take photos of some courses, as a reminder of this shocking ill-experience! These ill-experience are as much rooted in the unrefined aromas, flavors, textures and presentation of most courses, as they were accentuated by exceptionally poor service and ambience at your restaurant. In the end, we returned most courses served to us and prematurely terminate our dream experience! Even though you were not present at the restaurant on July 26, we invested time speak to your kitchen staff and provide them feedback and the fact that in our assessment, our experience was in no way commensurate with the value and quality we deserved from a reputed establishment like L'Arpege. In response to our candid feedback, your staff offered to refund us the price for our dining experience, but we rejected their offer and insisted on paying full price. Additionally, your staff offered to invite us back as your guest to enjoy the experience L'Arpege is truly capable of delivering, during our future visit to Paris, but we rejected that offer as well. The sole reason for our rejection of both these offers by your staff at the time, was that we couldn't communicate with you that day and therefore were not sure if you are even aware of the terrible experience being delivered by a restaurant that carries your brand and therefore personifies you. We hope your staff will share this note transparently with you. at the earliest! If, after reading our feedback, you feel similarly inclined as your staff did on July 26, we'll welcome a full refund for what we paid as offered by your staff (they have our credit card details). Also, if you decide to invite us to revisit and enjoy the true L'Arpege experience as your guests during our future visit to Paris, we will consider investing our time to do so. As food loving travelers, we don't wield the power a professional food critic, but we believe it is our responsibility to help establishments like L'Arpege address such ill-experiences based on our candid feedback! We will therefore appreciate your personal acknowledgement and response. read more

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We dined at L'Arpège on Wednesday night. Happy Independence Day to us and the French economy. We've never spent so much money on a meal (more on that later). This was our fancy dinner out, babysitter and all, and we were happy to be sat in the downstairs wine cellar/tomb area. We opted for the vegetable tasting menu and the land/sea menu so that we could share and get a taste of everything. There are too many courses to go over, but overall we felt that most of the dishes we had were excellent. Some needed extra seasoning, some were culinary catastrophes (a tomato dessert will haunt us for years to come), and some just didn't impress. Favorites: little amuse bouche tartlets, lobster course, ravioli soup with thyme broth, the "burger", some fava bean thing, and the large macaron dessert. There were other items we enjoyed, but those were mainly the highlights. There's a bit of a clunkiness to the service reminiscent of the restaurant's website. Like, it works, but it could be a lot better. For example, after getting our water, we were asked what we wanted to drink, but weren't given a drink menu, so started with a couple glasses of champagne. It seemed that there was only one wine list to go around, which is cumbersome and ridiculous. Some waitstaff who dropped dishes mumbled what they were, while others had a bit more finesse and care. Service wasn't bad, but it definitely needs improvement for the price you're paying. The power went off while we were there, and it seems like that happens often enough because candles were immediately dropped at all the tables. It was nice actually, and didn't slow service. Alain Passard even came downstairs to greet all the tables at that point. He's very affable and even comes to say goodbye to everyone at the end for picture-taking. Money. No joke, this was the most outrageous sum of money we've ever spent on a fine-dining meal taking into account wine, food, and tip (WHY THE HELL IS THE TIP NOT INCLUDED BTW???). We had a wonderful time here, but at the end of the day: it wasn't worth that much money. We're not pissed or anything, and we're landing on four stars overall, but don't dine here unless you have an insane expendable income (which we don't) or are really in love with vegetables. read more

Definitely a must-try for vegetarians, vegans, and restaurant fanatics! This Michelin 3 star restaurant is currently ranked #12 in the world, and rightfully so. We had the pleasure of meeting Chef Alain Passard, who was very pleasant indeed and came by our table to chat us up a bit (I think he's very social and does this all the time, quite frankly). He definitely seems like a down-to-earth kind of guy you could sit down with and enjoy a wine bottle or two. The restaurant itself is quite inconspicuous with its unlit sign, just off a side street close to the War Museum. We were seated in the downstairs wine cellar, which is very intimate indeed, with only about 4 tables. To be honest, I thought it was a little too intimate for my comfort. Suffice it to say, it was a loooooong 3 hours of light small talk amongst ourselves as our conversation was definitely not private, even with 12-inch voices. That said, we began with our 12-course meal; I myself chose the "Spring in the Garden" vegetable tasting menu because hey, that's what Chef Alain specializes in! My husband chose the "Earth & Sea in May" dinner tasting menu. If I had to sum up this culinary art form in one word, it would be--imaginative. It pushes the envelope in terms of inventiveness, that's for sure. Almost a little too far though, because I feel on some dishes the taste was compromised for the creativity. I mean, the garlic crème brûlée was definitely NOT one of my favorite courses--in fact none of the desserts were. The vegetable ravioli was severely bland for my taste--I was looking for the salt shaker (they don't exist here), but I knew I'd either get scowling looks from other patrons or my hand slapped by the sommelier. We both ended up feeling uncomfortably stuffed by the end of the meal. In fact, we were completely satisfied by the 6th or 7th course! The staff definitely wasn't the warmest I've ever dealt with, which is too bad because it spoiled my experience somewhat. At least they were very knowledgable about the menu and accompanying wines. Otherwise, bravo to Chef Alain for being a culinary genius--until we meet again... read more

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I love that L'Arpege is trying to lead the charge in France with vegetarian haute cuisine - this is what piqued my interest in the first place. I love Alain Passard's story and hope that he continues to evolve his cuisine to further showcase the versatility and complexity of vegetables. But my husband and I left baffled by how much our dinner here let us down. Unlike other reviewers, we were not offered any supplements, there was no wine pairing, and Alain Passard did not greet us (he was out of town). But none of that really matters. At $400-500 per tasting, 3 Michelin Stars, and a top-10 spot on Pellegrino, the service, ambiance, and food should be impeccable. I had the vegetarian tasting and my husband had land and sea so we could try a bit of everything. Our favorite dish by far was the hot / cold egg and the amazing butter that accompanied our mediocre cold bread. Some items were good but most were just disappointing. No unexpected flavors, no complexity or creativity, certainly no whimsy. I started to have doubts when I was served "sushi" that was basically two beet slices on a lump of rice. I've had amazing creative vegan sushi (Shizen SF) and just expected more. My husband tried to keep us hopeful but felt deflated after realizing his lobster was overcooked... followed later by overcooked monkfish and finally by dry chicken. It's not worth going on about each dish. But it is worth noting that veg tasting menus CAN be mind blowing. Grace in Chicago nailed this years ago with their Flora and Fauna menus; Meadowood in Napa Valley has a predominantly produce-of-the-day driven menu that's very impressive; hell, even Sorrel (when it was a pop-up) did a vegetarian ode-to-tomatoes menu that still haunts my dreams. I expected the food at L'Arpege to compete at this level. I will also add that while the service was friendly, it wasn't special or at the level of other 3-star or 2-star Michelin restaurants. When my husband asked where to find the restroom the server just pointed down the stairs; while he was gone, nobody folded his napkin; when we finished our wines we weren't asked if we'd like more. Maybe service standards vary regionally but I've had better service in Paris. Speaking of which... If you're looking for a charming, delicious, vegetarian or veg-heavy tasting in Paris, I highly recommend Verjus. We loved our experience here and it's far less pricey. Almost everything we had was vegetarian by default and I think they make adjustments if you're completely vegetarian. read more

I'm not sure my palate will ever again have the privilege of experiencing anything quite as exquisite as my meal at Arpege. It actually saddens me to know that I've tasted probably some of the best food I will ever taste again. As vegetarians, my husband and I seek out vegetarian tasting menus wherever we go. Sometimes we get lucky and experience something delicious and unique (re: Restaurant at Meadowood in Sonoma, CA). Many times we're disappointed because veggie menus tend to be too simplistic and really more of an after thought to the meat based tasting menu (re: I'll save my criticism for another day). At Arpege we experienced something truly breath taking. A meal that from start to finish was so beautiful, so complex and just so delicious that I was almost brought to tears. Most 3 star Michelin restaurants in the US bring out all the stops in decoration. Rooms are beautiful, immaculate and special. Arpege was not that. The space was actually kind of simple, a little dated and much more "business casual." I was underwhelmed when we walked in and not excited about how much I knew we were about to spend. However, once seated, the service began. The service was great from the start to end of our meal. It was about what I would expect from a 3 Michelin restaurant but just a little less fussy. For me this was great... I'm not a big fan of all the fuss and loved that we weren't waited on by 3 different people at any given time. Our sommelier was completely on point and chose fantastic wines for each course. But it's Paris... of course the wines are going to be on point. The main event was the meal... as it should be. Every bite that I took was even more delicious and complex than the first. The 2 highlights of my meal were the ravioli in tomato consommé and the potatoes and mushrooms in some sort of foam. I've forgotten what these dishes are actually called so I realize my descriptions sound like ordinary, if not boring dishes. But for the first time in my life I can genuinely say that the flavors are so memorable that I can almost taste them just thinking about them. When I took the first bite of the "potatoes and mushrooms in foam" I literally gasped. I had never really experienced anything that beautiful. So, now that I've hyped it up, you must go visit Arpege for yourself... if you have the opportunity to be in Paris, enjoy vegetarian food and are willing to blow a stupid amount of money on a meal, you must visit Arpege. I can say that it will be a memory that your palate will never forget. read more

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Full review in blog. Beginning with it's own 100% natural and organic garden some 250 kilometers Southwest of Paris (and subsequently expanding to two additional farms with 14 farmers planting and harvesting through entirely non-mechanical techniques) the restaurant known by some as the most expensive in Paris and by others as "fussy vegetarian food," for me represents a panacea - the way food should be cultivated, sourced, farmed, and served. Beginning first with the bread, a warm house made Pain de Campagne nearly sourdough in flavor with a crunchy crust and soft crumb - it was excellent. As for the butter - Bordier of course - but this time a whole level above any of the previous (or subsequent) selections. Reportedly made bi-weekly specifically for Passard the butter was the beyond creamy - almost the texture of a soft cheese but infinitely smooth, packed with the finest sea salt in the world, and so fresh that it sweat...it was a butter so good that when the server went to remove our replenished triangle from the table at the end of the meal I asked him for more bread because I couldn't bear to send it back. Oeuf à la coque; quatre épices." Given my fondness for egg dishes and having already experienced David Kinch's ode to this famous dish at Manresa nearly a year and a half prior I was appropriately excited when the cut egg from the Loire valley arrived and plunging my spoon deep the first bite brought back a flood of memories - the smooth yolk, the aromatic quatre epices, the sour crème fraîche and acidic vinegar mellowed by the maple syrup - it tasted exactly as my mouth remembered, a balance that lands squarely on every part of the tongue and fills the palate. "Fines Ravioles Printanieres consommé amber - oignon red baron, chou cabus, oseille large de Belleville, ail thermidrome" each member of this quartet of ultra thin dumplings consisted of a different distinct flavor of finely-diced or pureed vegetables in a clean and clear broth kissed with saffron and ginger. With each pocked melting on the tongue the flavors of the afternoon consisted of red baron onion, green cabbage, Belleville red peppers, and roasted garlic with an aged cheese - each entirely distinct, mildly sweet, and the very essence of their respective ingredients. "Homard blue nuit de Chausey au miel du jardin recolte ete 2010 transparence de navet globe." It would also be the best lobster dish I have ever tasted. Reportedly caught the day prior and transferred live to the restaurant prior to being poached in Bordier butter the lobster itself was tender, meaty, and succulent. Having had excellent lobster in the past, what put the tail over the top was the accoutrements - a layered veil of transparent globe turnips and beet root and sugar cane sauce infused with honey and lime. Impressive in both portion and presentation this was a dish where nothing was extraneous-a sum of flavors greater than the whole of its parts. It was incredible. "Rotisserie Grand Heritage de Louise Passard grand crus du potager" and dating back to his Grandmother's influence on his previous life as a maître rôtisseur this service presented a Salt roasted strip of rosy Challans Duck breast, confit of thigh, and a bone-in leg alongside confit carrot and onion, orange mousseline, fresh baby leeks and a finishing hibiscus flower sauce added tableside. Yet another dish with plenty of visual pop the duck itself was supple and fresh with a nice layer of fat while the vegetables were all perfect as expected and the bone-in leg paired with the hibiscus sauce was a fantastic pairing. La Carte de Fromage - and an enormous one despite a small well-culled selection at that. Featuring only six cheeses on a large wooden block supported by a silver cart the afternoon would deliver 6 month aged Auvergne, St. Nectaire, and a trio of aged soft Goat Cheeses from West France - plus Comte de Garde Exceptionnelle November 2007 by Bernard Antony. With each selection a standard-bearer for its respective genre there is no doubt the other cheeses stand in the shadow of the golden comte which is shaved lightly and melts slowly on the tongue leaving behind an unmistakable aura quite unlike any cheese I've ever experienced. Having tasted this same cheese later during our trip in larger slices I'll simply say that this is one case where size matters and thinner is better given the heft of the flavor. Overall a meal that affirmed exactly what I had expected walking in the door...that Passard's vision is an admirable one and that his food, though not fussy or overly complicated, is at times as close to perfection as is possible - the inevitable result of flawless ingredients and considerable talent. Sure such an experience comes at a price, but sometimes you really do get what you pay for and for anyone with the financial means who truly cares about what they eat and where it comes from l'Arpège is a must visit. read more

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Hands down the best meal I've ever had in my life. The chef, Alain Passard was there to boot. He let me keep one of my knives and even signed it. He sat at a table next to us and had dinner with someone. When he say us looking at a dish that he prepared for them, he called over our waiter and had the kitchen make us a course as well - no charge. And, that was for a French blue lobster with some kind of cream sauce and caviar. What a classy guy. The meal took four hours, but it flew by. We loved every minute of it. What's best, they brought us wine pairings, but it wasn't a tiny tasting with each course, instead it was a proper glass of wine for every two to three courses. Perfect. I'll be back when I've finally paid off the meal from the last time :) read more

ridiculously overpriced for what it was. the food was good but if you are looking for an actual experience + 5star food go to LOrainge at the 4 seasons. The service was great but it was absurd prices for food that is just as good at other Michelin restaurants read more

So THATS what a multi-Michalin star restaurant is like. This was on my top list of restaurants to try while in Paris, if for no other reason than the influence of L'Arpege on the best restaurant I've been to in California, Manresa. Unfortunately, the famous "L'Arpege Egg" was not available for the prix fixe lunch menu, but the meal still left me dazzled. Excellent service (the chef even came out to chat during the meal - too bad I don't speak French), cozy and friendly environment, amazing and innovative food (the least of which was the best butter I've ever had). Definitely the most expensive single meal I've ever eaten, but worth the experience. read more

I'm not sure what happened??? I came here about 3-4 years ago and loved this place but this experience was much different. Chef Alain Passard greeted us upon arrival! He was so gracious and warm! He explain that all vegetables were straight for his garden. He is well known for his vegetarian menus. I was really looking forward to another outstanding experience but everything was average or fell short. Food: Egg Amuse bouche Amuse bouche Green beans with black currants- fresh and light. It was a great combination. Vegetable Ravioli in broth - I had mixed feelings about this dish. The veggie ravioli was fresh and really good, but the broth taste like chamomile tea. I only want to experience this favor if I'm sleepy or sick! Vegetable roissoto - as main course was light, but nothing special and overpriced. Duck with veggies - was the best dish of the night and it wasn't amazing. The veggies were good. I left here thinking did I not remember correctly the first time or did something change. This is not only a 3 star Michelin restaurant but also #19 for 2016 top 100 restaurants in the world on the San Pellegrino list! I was very disappointed to say the least. The best part of the meal was meeting the chef, who I still respect. read more

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*** CONTINUED *** Ratatouille Bigouden au Beurre Sale Half raw, half cooked In a modernistic approach to a French classic, this is not your garden variety version of what was deemed a "Garden Ratatouille." An arpeggio of caramelized pearl onion, heirloom yellow pear tomatoes, smoky eggplant caviar, and amazingly sweet and intense carrot and red pepper purees studded the plate. Gorgeous and more importantly, delicious. Aiguillette de Sole Grillee Entiere Dover sole, cabbage, smoked potatoes Our fish course was Dover sole, which was delicate, yet withstood the deliciously acidic and buttery white wine sauce. The intensely smoke potatoes were nicely al dente, but the most surprising element to the dish was the intensely buttery and savory leaf of butter lettuce. A simple, yet delicious effort. Tartare de Betteraves Blanches White beetroot tartare, quail egg, potato crisps The beetroot tartare was a nice progression in the meal. The textural elements to this dish, along with the bite of the finely minced onions provided a nice foil to the richness of the last dish. Still, the creamy quail egg offered a lusciousness to each bite, with the salty potato crisps provided seasoning and additional texture. Robe des Champs Multicolores Arlequin Merguez of beets, couscous, vegetables Merguez didn't come in the form of a meat sausage. But the Middle Eastern spices were still present in the smoky, sweet beets, with cumin on the forefront. The couscous was clearly cooked in a rich stock, with the sweetness of the carrot and peppers providing some brightness in each bite. Grande Rotisseur d'heritage Louise Passard Lamb, carrot puree, eggplant, Kalamata olive sauce In an effort to cater to the non-vegetarian diners and to showcase techniques that extended beyond the garden, the first meat course and the final entree for the savory section of the meal was brought out. This delicious lamb dish featured skin that was well-crisped and moist and tender meat. The Kalamata olive sauce lent salty seasoning to each bite, with the richness of the tender aubergine offering additional heft to each bite. The sweetness of the red pepper puree brought some balance to the dish. Fromage de Chevre Goat cheese, lime, citrus, honey Our cheese course featured a richly creamy and tangy goat cheese, which was accented nicely by the sweetness of the quince and honey. Lime and citrus slivers helped to bring some brightness to each bite. Millefeuille Quince, apple A millefuille was so crispy and light, it's a wonder how it was studded with so many pieces of sweet apple and honey. An intensely rich and well-textured dessert. Pot de Creme The pot de creme was creamy and light, with the essence of green tea. I appreciated how this dish wasn't cloyingly sweet. Pressed Juice Apple and Melon The kitchen then sent out a refreshing pressed juice, featuring tart apple and sweet melon flavors. A nice palate cleanser of sorts. Mignardises Mignardises signaled the official end to the meal, featuring duets of apple pie, apple licorice macaron, chocolates with macadamia, and petits choux. And of course, tomato made its final entry into the meal in the form of a tomato caramel, with its acidity providing a surprisingly nice balance to the richness of the sweet caramel. And with that, L'Arpège brought forth the knives we used throughout the meal. Cleaned and indicating the year of our meal, this was a thoughtful and much appreciated gift to send us on our way. In total, this 3 Michelin-starred meal took 4 hours for what was a lunch tasting. The progression throughout the meal was relaxed and we truly felt at home. Service was exemplary as expected and every question I asked was thoughtfully answered and then some. It's clear the entire staff takes great pride in the Chef's passion. It may be a bit of a splurge, but I will be returning to L'Arpège everytime I'm in Paris. read more

We came here for a belated birthday dinner for my bf's friend on our last trip to Paris. I get it, this place has 3 Michelin stars and the chef is known for a great vegetarian menu. Chef Alain Passard actually greeted us and chatted us up when we arrived. He seems like a normal person and the hospitality was great. However, I just wasn't wowed by anything. All the vegetables used were sourced from his own gardens so I know we're supporting sustainable farming... but I just wasn't wowed by the whole experience. I did leave feeling VERY stuffed as there were many courses to the tasting menu. I posted a picture of the menu that we had for the night... I don't read French so I can't translate all the dishes I had. My favorite was the chicken since it was so tender and tasted like REAL chicken. My least favorite dish was the beet ravioli in beet broth... the taste was just off even though the ravioli was made well. Also, their "famous" dish of assorted vegetables from the garden was literally that - some vegetables in a dish and was lacking. Overall, nice restaurant with innovative use of vegetables, but really pricey for what you get... read more

L'Arpège - Tasting menu - Dec 2015 - French Near Me - Paris, 75

Truly, a magnificent experience. We made our reservations for lunch on our anniversary about six months in advance. We also had to call to confirm the reservation the day before, per their requirement. Prepare to speak some French on the phone. We went with the lunch menu, after starting with a couple glasses of champagne. We also ordered a bottle of wine, which was just fabulous. The lunch menu was primarily vegetable-based, with meat and fish products making an occasional guest appearance. At this point, I'll be honest and say I don't remember what many of the courses were. It's sort of like being in Versailles, or looking at a masterpiece in the Louvres. You can take as many photos as you want, but it won't help you be able to share or recall the experience. There's not a whole lot I can say about how amazing this was, other than to say that amazing doesn't even begin to describe it. Some restaurants have 3 Michelin stars, and there's typically a good reason why. This is like nothing I've ever experienced. The people who didn't like or appreciate the experience...if I had to guess, L'Arpège is not for them. Perhaps the type of restaurant they are wanting to shell out this amount of money for would have more traditional offerings, like a great steakhouse. I don't mean this as an insult. This type of cuisine is not for everyone. L'Arpège is less about filling you up, and more about trying something new and extraordinary; using ingredients you may or may not know to do something completely new. And that's why I loved it. Lunch lasted about 3.5-4 hours. Take your time. And all the people who said don't fill up on bread are crazy. You absolutely should fill up on bread. It comes with amazing butter. Slather on as much as you can. Just come, really, really, really hungry! read more

L'Arpege is France's 3-michelin starred restaurant that has won "best restaurant" many years in a row. I went there with my husband and had very, very different experiences. My hubbs got the wine pairing, while I just ordered a glass because I'm a light weight. Being mostly sober ... the meal was MEH. I'm sorry ... but I didn't just pay $1000 to eat tomatoes that "taste" like beef. I WANT BEEF!! They gave a dish with chicken innards ... liver, heart, etc. but I've eaten at $5 Asian places that prepare it better :( I understand the chef is known for his vegetarian menu ... but serving tomato soup, tomato won-tons, a huge slice of tomato, and a tomato salad is not satisfying to me. My husband, on the other hand, says this was his favorite place because he was "charmed" by the sommelier and was happily drunk at the end of the meal from aged bourbon and whiskeys of all sorts. read more

Feast your eyes. This is a place where you are set to admire beautiful presentations of mainly seasonal garden vegetables delicately prepared, much to every ohhh and ahhhh that preceded every spoonful. We didn't have have a reservation and not quite dressed for this, but the staff accommodated. The basement is intimate, with a cellar feel to it. Our waitress and sommelier spoke good English and had great suggestions. They also suggested that our lobster dish was a large portion.- Not byAmerican standards. The basket of bread was served by the slice: Heaven. But the lady had to return with a slice again and again. They served assorted small crunchy sweets to close. Expensive. Ouch...3 Michelin stars rating, go figure. read more

L'Arpège - Lobster - French Near Me - Paris, 75

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KenScale: 9.0/10 L'Arpege is one of the most venerable institutions in Paris headed by chef Alain Passard with worldwide renown for his devotion to vegetable-centric tasting menus. Michelin three stars, regular in the San Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants list, etc. While I've tried to avoid visiting stuffy classic fine dining establishments in Paris that may not be as relevant as they used to be in favor of more up and coming places, L'Arpege was on the top of my list of places to visit because I was definitely intrigued by how a tasting menu consisting mostly of vegetables could create a memorable dining experience. While the tasting menu certainly doesn't come cheap (for dinner, there are two options at 270 and 340 euros respectively), fortunately the lunch tasting menu comes much cheaper at 140 euros, while still featuring around 20 courses. Although there are a la carte options, my recommendation is to go for the tasting menu for a more complete dining experience. By the end of the meal, I was beyond stuffed even though I was walking all morning touring Orsay Museum and came to the restaurant with empty stomach. To sum it up, the lunch tasting menu flashes the brilliance of chef Passard's philosophy of devotion to nature. I had been to some really nice restaurants in NYC featuring outstanding vegetable dishes like Narcissa, Dovetail or Dirt Candy, but the tasting menu at L'Arpege just blew me away with the way vegetables created rich and intense flavor that was absolutely classic but also a sensational modern take on French cuisine. There was chickpeas mousse that came with beetroots and sesame that I loved the rich flavor of. It must've been a season of tomatoes when I visited as I had seen multiple tomato dishes, with some memorable items like tomato pesto that came with celery and mustard ice cream or simple tomato carpaccio with oil and sea salt on top. There were some really nice surprises that I hadn't seen before. I would not have thought that grilled shallot would create a unique flavor with quail egg and Parmesan cheese, or that vegetable ravioli with tomato consommé could be so soothing and aromatic. Couscous that came with tomatoes and vegetable "sausage" (a signature dish according to one of the servers) had an earthy feel of the garden. All these vegetable dishes displayed a full range of flavor and texture, and I loved the versatility of each item offering something new. Was it a surprise, then, that one of the weakest dishes was lobster that came with wine sauce and sweet potato? I thought the lobster wasn't as crisply cooked as I had hoped. Why not get rid of seafood/meat dishes altogether from the tasting menu unless diners specifically ask for one, I wondered. I was relieved when the dessert finally arrived, although at this point I had never been quite this full in a while. The classic mille-feuille made with rhubarb along with a side of pear and raspberry sorbet, however, was just pure decadence that I marched along and finished more than half. The servers were all professional and service was attentive. Maybe the pace of the meal could've slowed down just a bit given the number of courses, but it's probably my fault because I was eating on a faster pace to make sure I have enough time in the afternoon for more activities in Paris. The dining room was small but had a classic feel quite fitting for the type of cuisine that the restaurant features. I wasn't much of a veggie person but rather a hardcore carnivore before arriving in NYC three years ago. After learning what vegetable dishes can accomplish during my time in NYC, I have come to fully appreciate the boldness and versatility of L'Arpege. It is an absolute must to visit if you are in Paris looking for a fine-dining experience that you can't have in any other cities. Definitely worth all the accolades built over nearly 30 years since the restaurant's opening back in 1986. read more

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We came here 3 years ago and returned this past December with our baby. The restaurant was extremely accommodating to her and ever gave her mini plates with her own tasting purees that mirrored what we were eating. The overall experience was delicious and so fun for our daughter. If you go during lunch time, sometimes Chef Passard is there and he is so friendly and will greet everyone. Every dish is thoughtfully prepared and they truly celebrate vegetables! Our tasting lasted 4 hours and they never rushed anything. Truly memorable meal. read more

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The best overall dining experience of my life. Also probably the most expensive meal I've ever eaten and will ever eat. It was like a meal from another world. But I'm so glad I had the experience and know that there is a heaven when it comes to food. He focused a lot on vegetables and interesting techniques to highlight the freshness of the ingredients. The meats were also cooked perfectly and had the most amazing but simple fresh flavor. The foie gras was seared and served almost plain but was incredible. So even though it's French cuisine, it is not the heavy French cuisine that people often times think about. Chef Alain Passard was also there and he was so friendly and cordial as he not only went in and out of the kitchen but took time to talk to all the diners. An amazing experience. Caveat: this was from years ago, but since I was thinking about the best meals ever, I had to write it and it sounds like it still is quite great. read more

Most of the time, when I set my expectations to be very high, I usually end up disappointed. But in this case, L'Arpège blew my mind and expectations out of the water! I came here with my extended family of 8 (including 2 small children) for my husband's birthday. The dining room was simple, friendly and beautiful; not stuffy/elite like some other michelin restaurants can be. The service was impeccable. Our server knew exactly how to keep the kids happy and comfortable, allowing us to enjoy the meal fully and at a good pace before the kids got too tired. Now, the food. It was exquisite. Not a word I use frequently. But it was. The preparation, selection of ingredients, and presentation were delectable and beautiful. The flavors were light, complex and altogether satisfying. We had the lunch prix fixe, which consisted of all vegetarian dishes except for the final course of fish. The vegetable risotto with cheese was outstanding. Probably the best risotto I've had in my life. The vegetables were picked from the chef's own garden, and were vibrant (both in color and flavor), with just enough seasoning to bring out the innate flavor of each vegetable. I can't wait to return to Paris and visit L'Arpège again. read more

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Absolutely professionalism. Alain is an artist especially with the vegetables. Wow. Each dish cooked and plated beautifully. Creative ingredient and flavors. Amazing. He showy of the duck, lobster and lamb etc was a fun touch. Each dish is awesome. But Man U get stuffed by the end. Wine list is robust but could use some more aged selections. Wine service along with food service is truly what makes it 3 Michelin stars. Impressive experience indeed. read more

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Service good, best vegetable menu I've ever had. However, it is difficult to compare all vegetable menus or vegetable themed menu. Chef Passard is very friendly and has a series of books, comic themed, children type books for 20€. He will sign them personally when asked. read more

Only complaint I might have is the maitre d accidentally gave away my dinner jacket to someone else. Luckily, they were able to track it and get it back to me the next day. I will most likely thank him for letting me have the full Parisian experience. He probably said to me "It's not a big Deal... we will get it back for you tomorrow... you uptight American" ~ in French. The Service and the food was impeccable. Extensive wine list. One of the best meal I had in my life and I wouldn't mind repeating the experience. Two thumbs up! Shoot I just dated myself. read more

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Imagine yourself sitting down experiencing an explosion of art around you; some of it is obvious, others more subtle. You start off with the Rodin Sculpture Garden located directly across from the restaurant and then you head in. The lighting, the table setting, the little cellar in the lower level are all there to attract your senses but also to focus them on the food journey you're about to experience. Alain Passard is a true chef mastermind. His years of experience looking at different ways to highlight the freshest of ingredients allowed him to attain the highly coveted 3 Michelin star status. Unlike those in a similar position who rest upon their stars, he is always looking to improve, to change, to discover something different that would bring out the best in his foods. I myself am a meatatarian and I must have some meat in everything that I eat and so I was slightly curious to see how I would enjoy my time here. Alain focuses on vegetables and in most cases his plates are vegetarian. You can choose from 2 different tasting menus, one with meat and one that is almost exclusively vegetarian. We had one of each and shared everything. I don't think I have ever experienced something like Arpege. Even having eaten at French Laundry (which I raved about), Arpege is on a different level altogether. Each dish was simple yet complex and allowed me to view fresh produce and especially vegetables in ways that I never had before. Loved the beet dumplings and the onion gratin but the bouquet of roses (apple tart) were just pieces of art pleasing to the eye and palate. Alain is so devoted to his food and his customers that he will periodically make it out of the kitchen to find out what everyone's experience was like. I was starstruck when he walked in and talked to us. He shook my hand and asked how the food was. Those who speak French will be at an advantage and he will talk to you about the food. Yes, it's pricey but it's more than a week out and I'm still having artistic flashes emanating from my time there. If you're looking for inspiration in anything that you do, this is where you will find it. A definite must try among all the 3 star Michelin restaurants in Paris. You'll never experience anything quite like it. read more

This review is solely for the "Gardener's lunch" for 175 euros pp. While about 200 euros cheaper than the standard tasting menus ( of which there are 3, vegetables only, fish and vegetables, meat and fish and vegetables), this is still obviously not an ordinary meal and one we chose for an anniversary. So I did hella research, I looked at every 3 Michelin star lunch option, Epicure, Alain Ducasse Plaza Athenee, Pavillon Ledoyen, Pierre Gagnaire, L'arpege, Le Cinq, Guy Savoy because if I was going to shell out 500 dollars for a meal I wanted to get my moneys worth. I picked L'Arpège because not only does it seem like it includes more courses--12ish vs 3-4--but its vegetable centric cuisine really intrigued me after eating classic 3 Michelin star French before. Needless to say we weren't disappointed. It is true that there is no menu listing your dishes before you order, it is indeed a surprise. We ended up with 13 total courses which included two incredible mains and two desserts, plus your traditional amuse bouche and petit for. Most importantly for my very meatatarian girlfriend, we were served an oyster, monkfish, and guinea fowl throughout and we weren't left craving flesh at all. We were consistently amazed by how tasty plain old vegetables were transformed into satisfying fullness on the palate for lack of a better word. The best part: Alain Passard greets every table AT LUNCH ON A MONDAY. He was gracious and funny and always completed requests for a signed menu or a photo. On our way out he even got up to hold the door for us, simply incredible. One of the highlights of our Paris trip The slightly less than great but who cares part: -the decor is nice, if a little cramped, but doesn't have the wow factor of Alain Ducasse, or even some Robuchon's I've been to -it's a French restaurant, they don't speak perfect English or necessarily always understand perfectly, but I don't expect them to, the food speaks for itself -if your neighbors order the full tasting menu you will be jealous when they bring out the lobster, prime rib, veal chop, and more As a side note, I enjoyed the surprise courses so I will post just one picture of the guinea fowl and chicken main, with devastating mashed potatoes (even better than robuchon's famous potatoes) not in it, in order not to ruin the surprise for anyone else! read more

L'Arpège - French Near Me - Paris, 75

Okay guys, after being in Burgundy I must modify my review. I ordered a glass of Premier Cru from Burgundy and the bottle was clearly Village. For this kind of restaurant, no excuses. As a life-long vegetarian, I felt obligated to write a stellar review to help out this super vegetarian-friendly 3-star restaurant (in my opinion the two bastions of vegetarian fine dining I've been to so far are Per Se and Blue Hill Stone Barns). We had the lunch surprise menu. The menu was surprisingly long. Considering the 9 course vegetarian-focused menu is 320 euros and the 9 course vegetarian friendly menu is 380 or 390 euros, the lunch menu (which technically came out to 11 courses) at 180 euros came out to a great start of the day. The first menu item, the egg dish was a great collection of flavors and texture-- soft runny egg with spices and salt oozing out from the inside. The dumpling dish had three different fillings with an Asian soup base of asparagus, leek and celery heart-- delicious. Then, the meal meandered through repeated items- leek beetroot and asparagus, before returning to a solid finish during the last savory course which was a beetroot tartar finished with a trio of desserts in a tasting plate, a cookie/ice cream "sandwich" and an apple tart. I'd normally give this meal a 3.5/4, but the vegetarian focus drags my rating up at least half a point. read more

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We enjoyed delicious food here for lunch. It seemed like it would never end! The constant supply of perfect bread kept the short time between new dishes livable. They kept bringing food. All in all we stayed for about 3 hours for the tasting menu option. My girlfriend and I had some food allergies and they were able to serve us without any problems. The only critique I have is that 12 euros for an espresso is way too much. The coffee wasn't anything special. At least get some high quality beans and pour a decent shot! read more

My husband and I came to Paris for our honeymoon. We were very excited to have an amazing meal and experience at L'Arpege. Unfortunately it didn't wow us at all. The place looked like an old office, we were unimpressed with the decor and the dirty carpet. The service was okay. After my husband called to ask if they would be able to accommodate my dietary restrictions of vegan and gluten free they said it wasn't there specialty but that chef would be able to create a tasting menu for us. However when we got to the restaurant the server seemed annoyed and shocked after explaining my dietary requirements. The food was good but not memorable at all. Some dishes were very nice but all and all it seemed to have the same taste and flavours. We left regretting that we spent half our day there. We would not recommend it, nor do we understand why it has three stars. Disappointed & unimpressed. read more

One of the best meals of life. The simplicity of vegetables leaves for little margin of error, but L'Arpege executes its craft with perfection. I got a table by emailing the restaurant, confirming by phone, and then reconfirming two days before the reservation day. Lunch for two was about $350. read more

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