Cuisine: French (modern French)
Price: EUR140 per person (what I paid for)
Visited: 7 May 2013
Food: 10/10
Atmosphere: 8/10
Value for money: 8/10
Services: 10/10
During the 1st two weeks of May 2013, we had a chance to take a long break to France and of course did not waste the opportunity to try series of food. The first one that I would not miss to mention is the famous chef of Paris: Pierre Gagnaire @ Rue Balzac, Paris.
We were fortunate to be able to make reservation just right before French long vacation in May. So, if any of you are planning to give Pierre Gagnaire a visit, make sure you do check its closing dates and book long in advance.
This time I will not go into details of all dishes: so delicious and delicate that is really hard to explain. Dishes are in modern French but not that kind of molecular like Oud Sluis or Fat Duck. Well, the atmosphere of this restaurant may not be so grand or elegant but comfortable and cosy but chic and contemporary. The service is no mistaken one of the best: really friendly and helpful. The wine list is like a bible with marked up price that would be expected for this kind of place.
Pierre Gagnaire is located right on the ground floor of Hotel Balzac which is right at the heart of Paris: Champs-Elysees and near Arc de Triomphe. Hence, taking metro to Pierre Gagnaire is also really easy, all you have to do is just take metro to George V station and the restaurant is just a few minutes walk away.
As we were there for lunch and lunch menu was what we went for. The lunch menu costed EUR110 per person and comprised of 3 courses. The meal as usual started with some small bites and bread. The bread was lovely and soft, both white and brown, and came with ordinary salted butter and lemon butter. Amuse-bouches comprised of 5 portions as described in the menu above. They were all tasty especially the squid one which was so tender and flavourful.
The starter was foie gras in custard like form and served with pigeon slices and spelt (gateau de foie gras de canard, petit epeautre du pays de Sault : navets racine et oignons rouges). My heart was taken away with this dish. It looked so simple just like an ordinary risotto but the combination of flavour were just perfect. This is a 10 out of 10 dish.
The best part of the course was the main course which was white fish perfectly grilled with crispy herbs on the top and served with creamy sauce (merlan club des cent, feuille de chou vert et coquillages du beurre nantais). I promise that this is the most memorable fish menu I have ever tried to date. Fish fillet was cooked to perfection: juicy and smooth. The light creamy sauce was savoury. I just want more. If I could give it beyond 10, this would be the one.
For dessert, this was the part that shocked us completely. On the menu it was written just "Les desserts Pierre Gagnaire". Well, it must be some kind of dessert of the day, we thought. In fact, it turned out to be 5 kinds of dessert. To much for me surely after the foie gras and fish but I still managed to finish them all in the end. The 5 desserts represented coffee, pineapple, figs, chocolate, and mango and strawberry. Like the mango and strawberry that came with pistachio ice-cream the most though.
Almost forgotten, there were petit fours with variety of flavours served just before desserts too. During the meal, I had a half bottle of white wine of 2010 Cave Yves Cuilleron Saint-Joseph Saint-Pierre Blanc (EUR37 for 1/2 bottle, 100% Roussanne) to couple the meal too.
Overall, this place is indeed the legend that if you have a chance you should give it a go. Sadly, we didn't have a chance to meet Chef Pierre Gagnaire in person as he was not at the restaurant on the day though he would normally be at the kitchen. Well, incredible experience for us. But remember, don't expect those kind of molecular dishes here.
Pierre Gagnaire @ Rue Balzac, Paris, France
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| chic and contemporary atmosphere |
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| lunch menu |
We were fortunate to be able to make reservation just right before French long vacation in May. So, if any of you are planning to give Pierre Gagnaire a visit, make sure you do check its closing dates and book long in advance.
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| small bites 1 |
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| small bites 2 |
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| small bites 3a |
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| small bites 3b |
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| small bites 4 |
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| small bites 5 |
This time I will not go into details of all dishes: so delicious and delicate that is really hard to explain. Dishes are in modern French but not that kind of molecular like Oud Sluis or Fat Duck. Well, the atmosphere of this restaurant may not be so grand or elegant but comfortable and cosy but chic and contemporary. The service is no mistaken one of the best: really friendly and helpful. The wine list is like a bible with marked up price that would be expected for this kind of place.
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| selection of bread |
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| pistachio crack |
Pierre Gagnaire is located right on the ground floor of Hotel Balzac which is right at the heart of Paris: Champs-Elysees and near Arc de Triomphe. Hence, taking metro to Pierre Gagnaire is also really easy, all you have to do is just take metro to George V station and the restaurant is just a few minutes walk away.
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| jus de crabe vert : encornets/granny smith/papillons noirs |
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| moelle de boeuf/lie-de-vin au raifort ; radis red meat/radis rose/akarachi |
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| dorade au sel saupoudree de pavot, burrata et oreille de judas |
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| dorade au sel saupoudree de pavot, burrata et oreille de judas |
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| pied et langue douchy, condiment noras, piments guernica et betterave rouge |
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| sorbet fraise gariguette au poivre cubebe, fondue de pamplemousse et avocat |
As we were there for lunch and lunch menu was what we went for. The lunch menu costed EUR110 per person and comprised of 3 courses. The meal as usual started with some small bites and bread. The bread was lovely and soft, both white and brown, and came with ordinary salted butter and lemon butter. Amuse-bouches comprised of 5 portions as described in the menu above. They were all tasty especially the squid one which was so tender and flavourful.
 |
| gateau de foie gras de canard, petit epeautre du pays de sault ; navets racine et oignons rouges |
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| closer look to foie gras and spelt |
The starter was foie gras in custard like form and served with pigeon slices and spelt (gateau de foie gras de canard, petit epeautre du pays de Sault : navets racine et oignons rouges). My heart was taken away with this dish. It looked so simple just like an ordinary risotto but the combination of flavour were just perfect. This is a 10 out of 10 dish.
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| merlan club des cent, feuille de chou vert et coquillages au beurre nantais |
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| coquillages au beurre nantais |
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| coquillages au beurre nantais at close up |
The best part of the course was the main course which was white fish perfectly grilled with crispy herbs on the top and served with creamy sauce (merlan club des cent, feuille de chou vert et coquillages du beurre nantais). I promise that this is the most memorable fish menu I have ever tried to date. Fish fillet was cooked to perfection: juicy and smooth. The light creamy sauce was savoury. I just want more. If I could give it beyond 10, this would be the one.
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| les desserts Pierre Gagnaire |
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| #1 dessert |
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| #2 dessert |
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| #3 dessert |
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| #4 dessert |
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| #5 dessert |
For dessert, this was the part that shocked us completely. On the menu it was written just "Les desserts Pierre Gagnaire". Well, it must be some kind of dessert of the day, we thought. In fact, it turned out to be 5 kinds of dessert. To much for me surely after the foie gras and fish but I still managed to finish them all in the end. The 5 desserts represented coffee, pineapple, figs, chocolate, and mango and strawberry. Like the mango and strawberry that came with pistachio ice-cream the most though.
Almost forgotten, there were petit fours with variety of flavours served just before desserts too. During the meal, I had a half bottle of white wine of 2010 Cave Yves Cuilleron Saint-Joseph Saint-Pierre Blanc (EUR37 for 1/2 bottle, 100% Roussanne) to couple the meal too.
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| 2010 Cave Yves Cuilleron Saint-Joseph Saint-Pierre Blanc |
Overall, this place is indeed the legend that if you have a chance you should give it a go. Sadly, we didn't have a chance to meet Chef Pierre Gagnaire in person as he was not at the restaurant on the day though he would normally be at the kitchen. Well, incredible experience for us. But remember, don't expect those kind of molecular dishes here.
Pierre Gagnaire @ Rue Balzac, Paris, France
6 Rue Balzac
Paris 75008
France
Paris 75008
France
Open Hours: Monday - Friday for lunch and dinner
Tel: +33 (0) 1 58 36 12 50
Web: http://www.pierregagnaire.com/
Web: http://www.pierregagnaire.com/
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteLove your post and your blog as I just recently came across it. I definitely have Pierre Gagnaire's flagship in Paris on my sights as I've been to his restaurants in Tokyo and Las Vegas. Just a couple of questions I have for you: 1. Just want to make sure, are they open with taking photos such as with a cellphone? 2. How much is the price or what's the price range for dinner as I can't find it on the website?
Thank you so much!
I suppose that you can take photo in the restaurant. As for pricing, I believe that the dinner menu costs around EUR300+. I wish this helps.
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