Trying to decide on dinner at Pantagruel (about to re-open) or Hemicycle?
Both look amazingly appealing - but I only have one night.
Would love to hear HO Paris mavens opine.
I should mention that pescatarian or at least seafood leaning with strong champagne selection would be a plus.
I can only qualify an answer about Hemicycle, which I found to be innovative and creative, with interesting flavor profiles and a pastry program that matched the caliber of the savory side of the menu.
A follow up to Hemicycle - I understand there are now two dining rooms (one upstairs and one downstairs) - which one has the kitchen? At Granite we loved the ground floor (kitchen level) room and hated the basement.
The main dining room is on the ground floor level. The upstairs is a totally separate pastry focused tasting menu.
Coin flip.
Pantagruel (based on two recent meals at Panurge) is probably more elegant and refined in its cooking, Hémicycle is maybe a bit showier. Both will have good Champagne lists, but Hémicycle’s will be longer and deeper. My choice would by Pantagruel (I can’t wait to try it when I return at the end of summer), but that’s a matter of personal preference.
Hemicycle do an amazing beetroot dish!!
I might switch Akabeko to Pantagruel. Waiting to see what your visit will be like to the new place.
Won’t be until after the rentrée (i.e., September).
we will be there late september so all good
I am now in a three way dilemma - two dinners - but 3 places.
Pantagruel
Hemicycle
Akabeko
Got to pick 2 of them
Looking forward to opinions!
What are you looking for/what do you prize most highly in a restaurant?
Great question
- food quality
- service, setting, and overall vibe congruent with the food. As an example we enjoyed Eunoe tremendously but thanks to HO we knew what to expect. We enjoyed Chez Ami Jean as well even though it was hectic as hell back in the day.
- Our favorite restaurants have been French by Japanese chef (Montee, Pages, Alliance, etc).
- Probably lighter sauced fare with tilt towards seafood.
- my wife no longer eats foie gras or pigeon - but most will accomodate.
I think you’d enjoy all three, but given what you say you look for, I’d go for Pantagruel (assuming it’s similar to pre-move, which I’ll find out in a few weeks) and Akabeko.
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