carolynkovar's Profile
Question about tipping at a high-end restaurant
I understand that in France, the tip is basically included in the cost of the meal and at most you're supposed to "round up." But is this still true in a really expensive restaurant (like Le Cinq--where we have a reservation)? If the bill is (say) €420 (this may be wildly optimistic), what would a French couple tip? I don't want to look cheap, but I also don't want to look clueless.
Carolyn
Restaurants in Brussels
I didn't get any replies to my last request for opinions, but I've done more searching and have a new list of possibilities. Does anyone have any experience with any of these?
ReSource (for Saturday)
Vert de Gris (alternative for Saturday)
Bocconi (open Sunday)
La Quincaillerie (open Sunday)
Brussels cuisine is supposed to be extraordinary, and I'm hoping we'll have two really enjoyable meals while we're there. I really value the expertise on this board.
Carolyn
Restaurants for dinner in Lyon? Please critique my list.
Oh, wow. I have to remember that!
Restaurants for dinner in Lyon? Please critique my list.
Thank you so much, ChefJune and mangeur! I'm making reservations at La Voûte and Léon. Your input will make all the difference in our visit--I can't thank you enough.
Souphie, I was kidding about the eel, but what an image!
Carolyn
Sunday dinner in Paris--thoughts on Les Ombres, Druant, Benoit?
Thanks so much to everybody for all the wonderful ideas--we have enough now for many future trips. Souphie, you've reassured me about Le Cinq, so I decided to go for broke (I hope not literally) and make a reservation there. We're looking forward to a truly memorable evening!
Carolyn
Restaurants for dinner in Lyon? Please critique my list.
What exciting suggestions from everybody! En Mets... sounds really fascinating (well, maybe not the live eel). If you had to choose two of La Voute-Chez Lea, Leon de Lyon, Le Splendid, and En Mets, which would you choose? (I made a reservation at Auberge de l'Ile, and Mere Brazier sounds too good to miss).
Carolyn
Brussels: Opinions on Chez Comme Soi, L'Alban Chambon, La Belle Maraîchère?
My husband and I will be in Brussels for two nights, May 29 and 30. Unfortunately, the 30th is a Sunday. We were considering either of the first two restaurants for a splurge dinner on Saturday (we are staying at the Metropole, where L'Alban Chambon is located)--does anyone know anything about them? (I haven't been able to find anything on the board.) For Sunday night, has anyone heard of our other choice, or have a better recommendation? I'd really appreciate any help you can give us.
Carolyn
Sunday dinner in Paris--thoughts on Les Ombres, Druant, Benoit?
Thank you, everybody, for steering me away from Les Ombres, which would obviously have been a dreadful (and expensive) mistake.
John Talbott, the review of the Drouant makes it sound terrific, and really a great choice. Souphie, La Grande Cascade looks terrific, too--at least if we steer away from the most expensive menu, which would put us close to Jules Verne (probably better value, though, you think?) Do you have any idea how long it would take to get there from the St-Sulpice area, where we'll be staying? (We'd need a taxi).
I looked up ZKG--very intriguing, but it doesn't appear to be open on Sundays (I assume it's Ze Kitchen Gallerie---did I get that right?) I took a look at Le Cinq, which doesn't have prices on its website, but Michelin says the least expensive menu is €160 (not €145). I'm not sure how much to figure for wine for Le Cing, but it could be in the running. Decisions, decisions!
Carolyn
Restaurants for dinner in Lyon? Please critique my list.
ChefJune, thank you so much. I took a look at La Mere Brazier and I am SO not going to miss it!
I should probably move up LaVoute-Chez Lea, and there may be laws against going to Lyon and not dining at Leon de Lyon.
Of the original list, have you avoided them because you've heard bad things about any of them, or did they just not interest you? Terrasses de Lyon (which is at the Villa Florentine) is supposed to have a terrific view and has a star. L'Auberge de l'Ile has two stars and it sounds like you can get there--L'Ile Barbe--by boat, though I would need to check that. I thought the settings would enhance the experience, though I know that can be problematic--they could be tourist traps without very good food.
Do you, or does anyone else, have any additional thoughts? I really value the experience on this board.
Carolyn
Restaurants for dinner in Lyon? Please critique my list.
My husband and I will be in Lyon for four nights in early May (Tuesday the 4th through Friday the 7th). I've been developing a list of restaurants. So far, my leading contenders are Les Terrasses de Lyon, L'Auberge de l'Ile, Le Gourmet de Sèze, and Eskis. My alternate, in case of trouble, is La Voûte-Chez Léa. What do you think of the choices? I haven't found comments on the website for any of these except La Voûte (which were very good--should I move that up to the "definite" list?) I thought of Nicolas Le Bec--should I move that to the list and dump one of the other starred restaurants? I picked Terrasses and L'Auberge mainly for location--are there better choices?
Any thoughts would be much appreciated!
Carolyn
Sunday dinner in Paris--thoughts on Les Ombres, Druant, Benoit?
Thanks, PhilD and Plafield, for confirming my suspicions about Les Ombres. Jules Verne is a great suggestion--though we would have to restrain ourselves, not something I do easily. I guess there's more open on Sunday than I thought! Does anybody else have a suggestion for a special dinner that won't completely empty our already overstressed wallets? Benoit did sound good, maybe a tad too traditional.
Sunday dinner in Paris--thoughts on Les Ombres, Druant, Benoit?
This is my first question, be kind! Yes, I will create my profile shortly.
My husband and I will have one night in Paris at the end of a five-week trip (to Lyon, Dijon, Nancy, Reims, Amiens, Bruges/Brugge, Brussels, and Amsterdam). We'd like to make our last night memorable, but unfortunately it's a Sunday (possibly just as well, as major splurges will be closed and so can't tempt me). The restaurants I've listed all had great reviews from Tom Seitsema, the Washington Post restaurant critic--he hasn't steered us wrong yet, so I thought I'd begin with his picks. I've researched them on line and they all have a mix of reviews, some glowing, some disappointed. Michelin likes them all. Chowhounds have praised Benoit, and John Talbott has recommended Druant as one restaurant open on Sunday, without giving his reaction to it (that I found). But I'm kind of drawn to Les Ombres because of its spectacular location and its interesting fusion menu. I haven't found any mention of it on this board, so I'm worried it's all sizzle and no steak. What do people think?
Or do you have better recommendations? As you can see, we're willing to spend some money--I'm thinking between $400 and $500, if it's worth it. Any help would be much appreciated.
Carolyn
