Amazing Dining at Le Pré Catelan: A Mind-Blowing Experience

Le Pré Catelan is a must-visit 3-star Michelin restaurant. This was our first Michelin dining experience shortly after we landed in France! We were only sure that we would be visiting Europe two months before our actual trip and we were lucky even to snag a dining reservation on such short notice. The food was incredible and some of the best I have ever had! The Michelin stars are well deserved and we could not have been happier in choosing Le Pré Catelan to celebrate our wedding anniversary.

A Little About The Restaurant and It’s Location

The restaurant has a long history, dating back to 1856. However, it wasn’t until 2007 when Frédéric Anton took over as head chef that it earned its first three Michelin Stars. Situated in the heart of Bois de Boulogne in Paris’ 16th arrondissement, it was just a short cab ride from our Airbnb in the 7th arrondissement. Bois de Boulogne is a beautiful park area that serves as the border between Paris and its outskirts. If you’re planning on visiting for dinner, it’s worth noting that there may be streetwalkers around. During the day the park is a popular spot and ideal for families.

Le Pré Catelan is located on a spacious property with stunning interior decor. The elegant design features large chandeliers, long drapes, high ceilings, and plush velvet tufted dining sofas and rugs. The dining experience surpassed our expectations, with creative and delicious food. Keep reading to learn more about our unforgettable dining experience.

13 Course Orsay Dinner Menu

We chose to dine the Orsay dinner menu that included 13 dishes. They are listed in order below from beginning to end.

A Special Touch

In honor of our anniversary, the restaurant was kind enough to bring a complimentary piece of cake with a candle, as well as two additional desserts each, that we savored with our espressos!

About Our Dining Experience

I really enjoyed the Crab, Langoustine, Squab, and Champagne Caviar dishes. The crab had an incredibly rich and authentic flavor that stood out to me as my favorite dish. The duck foie gras with jelly had a great texture and flavor, melting in my mouth as soon as I tasted it. This was my first time trying Squab, and I was not disappointed by its gamier taste, similar to chicken or venison but less dense. Squab is a staple in French cuisine, and many restaurants serve their own variations of the dish. The combination of caviar and champagne flavors was refreshing and worked well together.

My Perspective

The food was exceptional and definitely worth the cost. It was presented beautifully on white plates and looked very clean and appealing. The atmosphere was more upscale than casual but still had a welcoming and relaxing feel. While the service was good, it could have been improved by timing the dishes better and having a smoother flow. I would compare the service to that of Per Se in New York City, which had exceptional service. The space, both inside and outside, was well-maintained and looked lovely.

Final Thoughts

Overall, we departed the restaurant feeling both extremely satisfied and incredibly pleased! Despite spending nearly three hours dining, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and were always eagerly anticipating the arrival of our next dish. This dining experience is something we will always hold dear to our hearts and reflect upon fondly. We highly recommend it to others who appreciate good food and a memorable dining experience.

Let me know your thoughts and any questions you have in the comment section below.

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