La Tour d'Argent - Paris (photos)

[Nicko]

My wife and I were very fortunate to vacation in Paris this past May and had a chance to eat at the oldest restaurant in Paris, La Tour d'Argent. The restaurant is most famous for being one of the few places in the world that still serves "pressed duck". It was an amazing preparation to watch as they had a stage in the restaurant where they prepare the sauce.

At the end of our meal we both received post cards with a portrait of the original owner carving a duck. On the card was a number something like one million eight hundred and forty six... which we found out was the number of the duck we had been served. Seems they started numbering the ducks when they started and still do to this day.

The restaurant has been around since the fifteen hundreds and they have an autograph wall that would blow your mind. You start looking at all the signatures and see Marilyn Monroe, JFK, Tom Cruise, etc. Then you look further up and you start seeing people like Thomas Jefferson (no kidding), Akira Kurosawa and it really is amazing.

As we were seated we were on the second floor near the window and had a perfect few over looking the Seine and the Notre Dame (see my photos here).

We opted for lunch which was much cheaper than dinner but it was still quite expensive because of the euro. If you ever get a chance to try it do so it is a great experience.

I have uploaded some photos to the photo gallery and you can check them out here:

http://www.cheftalk.com/photopost/sh...ry.php?cat=540

[Harpua]

Big Deal! We sliced tomatoes and ate packaged smoked salmon in our Formule One hotel room OUTSIDE of Paris while our bikes were being stolen. Beat that!



Just Joshin. Looks fabulous! That cheese cart looks amazing...

Did you happen to swing by Alsace at all?

[Mezzaluna]

Magnifique! La France me manque..... I miss France!

We didn't eat at La Tour d'Argent, but we did eat at La Couronne in Rouen- the oldest in France. It's where Julia Child had her culinary epiphany, and it's famous for the duck also. Someone ordered it while we were there (some people who were quite surprised, as they mis-read the menu) and it was fascinating to watch the silver press at work.

Amazing view, too... and that cheese cart- I'd be LOST. I've been told I eat cheese like a child (no stinky stuff, thank you) so that would have been an education.

[kuan]

Five stars for you Nicko!

[chrose]

Being a fan and student originally of classic French cuisine what a dream come true that would be! When I hit the lottery or something close I hope to get the 2 millionth duck!