Just ignore the fact that after years of having 3 Michelin Stars that Vendome was just demoted to 2…read moreStars. We went there with friends who have collectively eaten there over a dozen times and the conclusion after the meal was that nothing has changed, it's just the fickle Michelin Man creating drama.
Also, Vendôme closes for a month or so a year, I think it's in August, so check ahead.
If you have the time and budget, I recommend to get a room at the Schloss Bensberg so you can just roll your fat self to your room and pass out rather than have to schlep back home or to your hotel after what could end up as a 4-5 hour meal!
ATMOSPHERE:
Minimalist, no music (until later in the evening when some hallway jazz could be heard remotely), it's just you, your food and your company. We were lucky to have a center table overlooking the the Schloss Bensberg property during sunset, which I really recommend if you can! The bathroom is on another floor and very far away, so just be warned!
SERVICE:
Flawless and with ease, like they have been doing this forever, which they kind of have been.
FOOD:
Choose between 6 and 8 course tastings and wine pairings, not everyone has to choose the same.
We had several dietary restrictions and they accommodated them, except the modifications were not as great as the original and for the sweets at the end, I was a bit disappointed that instead of having subs for the sweet treats, those with restrictions just got fewer treats :(
Overall though, almost everything was delicious. The only dud of the night was their bread! The opening bites and their main desserts were the highlights so the meal, so it started and ended with a bang, which is so nice to have since a lot of tastings we've had elsewhere lately just peeter out with weak pastry, but not here! I think the the food is more traditional and familiar than a lot of newer 2-3 stars, which tend toward more molecular and crazy flavors, which often yield less yummy results. Why mess with it if it just works as is??
Those they had wine pairings thought everything paired well, though there was only one red wine much to hubby's chagrin. Despite this, he though it all worked well with the food.
DAMAGE:
With adding gratuity, expect 450-650 Euros per person depending on if you opt for the smaller tastings, wine pairings, and if you opt for aperitifs before and after the meal.
OVERALL:
Vendôme is definitely still a 3 Star experience, that seems to be punished for not innovating enough to keep up with newer trends, even though their food is still absolutely delicious. I do agree that there wasn't a "wow this is new and my brain is on overload" moment but I think it should be enough to walk away with happy taste buds and warm fuzzies about the whole experience. Call me old school, but sometimes old school just works.
