L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon
Price guide: Expensive
5 rue de Montalembert, Paris, 75007
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#20 of 80
expert-rated restaurants in Paris- Recommended for:
- Business travellers, Couples, Foodies, Singles, Nightlife, People watching, Trendiness
Best for Dining alone - Expert review of L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon
Luxury snacking on the Left Bank.
The chic Left Bank Atelier Robuchon marked the return of superchef Joël Robuchon with what has since become the prototype for a gourmet tapas concept declined from Hong Kong to Las Vegas. In an elegant contemporary black and red interior, you sit at high red chairs along a counter with a view of what's going on in the kitchen, which makes it great for couples or solo diners, though less suitable for dining in a group. It has an irritating booking/non-booking system, though it is easier to snag a table than they would have you believe.
Food and drink:
I thought the food was wonderful, light and inventive, and although they can serve you a conventional starter, main course, dessert formula, it's much more interesting to go for the smaller tapas-style tasting portions, although sadly prices can soon rocket. Modernised classics might range from light sea bream carpaccio or asparagus and sorrel velouté to gutsy, cleverly spiced, bone marrow on toast or a yuzu soufflé.
Recommended dishes:
The pigeon and foie gras wrapped in cabbage is a star dish.
Ambience:
Chic designer snacking: an elegant Left Bank set meets international foodies, as you sit on high red stools around the bar, with views of other diners and the energetic preparations going on in the open kitchen.
Service:
Professional and discrete. In the kitchen staff have swapped chef's whites for smart black tunics.
Location:
Smart Left Bank, on the ground floor of the Pont-Royal hotel in the antiques and publishing district off boulevard St-Germain.
Price advice:
Tasting portions start at 14 euros and go up to 50 for caviar; full-size main courses are around 35 euros; tasting menu 150 euros. Although it's all too easy to spend a fortune here.
Other useful branches:
There's a new branch at 133 avenue des Champs-Elysées, with a similar tasting menu plus skewered meats.
More information on L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon:
- Price guide:
- Type:
- Restaurant, Tapas bar
- Food:
- French, Fusion, International, Modern
- Address:
- 5 rue de Montalembert, Paris, 75007
- Telephone:
- 01 42 22 56 56
- Website:
- http://www.joel-robuchon.com
- Serves:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Opening times:
- Daily 11.30am-3.30pm, 6.30pm-midnight. Reservations only possible for 11.30am, 2.30pm or 6.30pm.
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Reservations:
- Not possible
