Thank you for the report, I’m glad the restaurants I’m familiar with all went well for you. Enjoy the rest of your trip and I look forward to your next report.
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One thing I omitted to mention, my dinner at Anne was in the courtyard and I was seated next to a drainpipe and an accompanying drain. There was a lot of noises coming from the nearby bushes and then, out of the corner of my eye, I spied a rat scurring into the drain. I understand that rats are a big problem in Paris, but not a good look for a 5 star hotel and a one star Michelin restaurant. I did ask to be moved away from the drain and the wait staff kindly obliged but I did have to laugh when the initial request to move was met with a shrug and the words, “yes, Paris, rats” to which I replied Australia has rats too but we normally wouldn’t seat someone next to a drain if you know they may encounter a rat!!! It certainly didn’t add to the ambience!!
speaking of ambiance - how did you like Akabeko? The room looks kind of small with what looks like a large table for a group in the middle. It seems it can get too tight, warm, and loud? We generally prefer a more quaint feel for this type of dining like in Alliance.
FWIW the first time we ate at Perception a couple years ago, I’d give it a 9.5/10.
Last year’s meal, I’d give between an 8.5 and a 9.
But this past spring, while I clearly seem to have liked it more than Michelle did, I’d only give it about a 7.5.
Given the (relatively low) price, we will give it another chance, but if the next meal is about the same as the most recent one, I’ll probably drop it from the rotation.
Hi Beam, Akabeko consists of 2 rooms, a downstairs with counter seating and an upstairs room with banquette seating on both the left and right-hand sides of the room as you come up the stairs. The night I was there I had opted to sit upstairs (you have the option when you make an online reservation as to where you want to sit) and it was relatively quiet, mainly couples no large groups. The ambience is different to Alliance which I would describe as intimate but Akabeko definitely had a nice vibe to it. I hope that helps.
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Whew! Happy to see those 9s and 10s at the end! Thanks for your report.
I so wanted to love Perception, hopefully my experience is a blip and not representative of the majorities experience, which, based on other’s feedback has been positive.
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As I posted in early April, we were quite disappointed with our dinner in Perception this year - after having loved it (even more than Alliance) in April 2024.
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For Andy (and others disappointed with Perception) – were you having dinner or lunch? I’ve only ever had lunch, which has always been excellent, but I admit the last time was 1-1/2 years ago.
All 3 times we went to Perception it was for dinner.
My first time was more than 2 years ago. The 2nd time was 15 months ago. The most recent was in June. So my view tracks with yours.
It was only about 6-9 months ago IIRC did the first non-stellar review of Perception on this board show up.
How is the sole prepared at Amarante?
Large fish, central part cut into a rectangle and cooked meunière. I suppose that the side parts that are cut off are then boned and served as goujonnettes.
Not my favorite way of serving sole meunière (I like roasted skin, lots of crispy bits, and chewing on the fins) but the fish at Amarante is of such great quality that it is still a pleasure to order.
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Thanks. The owner/chef seems like a character. Would you return?
Not to speak for Carmenere (I’d never get away with that) but I’m guessing that it’s not hard to get her back to Amarante, as we’ve joined her there several times. Here’s a link to a short Amarante thread that ends in our group dinner there almost 2 years ago, where they surprised her with a different prep. for the sole. I really like that place! (& the great company of course).
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It’s my favorite restaurant in Paris. A no-brainer when I want to eat out. Chef can be whatever character he wants to be, he’s simply one of the best professional cooks alive today in France.
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Ahah. (I think your link is missing.)
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My link has been missing for years. But, here’s one to the thread:
Thanks.
Hi Everyone
It has been a while, but I have finally got around to finishing my restaurant reviews from my trip to Paris back in July.
Nhome 7/10 a concept restaurant with a focus on communal eating with one table in the centre of the room (which is a basement cellar) that diners are seated around (16 seats in total). Interestingly no one except myself must have checked the website as there were a lot of audible gasps of surprise/shock that there was no option for separate dining and as a solo traveller, I was looking forward to conversing with other diners but alas, it was not meant to be so not the experience I was hoping for. In terms of the food, it was somewhat hit and miss, each course was presented by the chef responsible for its creation and the dish was explained in great detail and passion which was a nice touch. The main meat course, pigeon was lovely but other than that there were no standout dishes. The petit fours served with my tea at the end of the meal included a guessing game of what the secret ingredient was in the chocolate square, after exhausting all guesses, the chef announced that it was in fact, chicken skin!!! IMO, it did not add anything to the flavour of the chocolate that would having me running to the nearest confectionary store to see if I could purchase it. I think the major disappointment was the lack of interaction between diners and I also noted that there were no locals, so this was definitely aimed at the tourist crowd.
Loulou 8/10 located close the Louvre overlooking a green space, it is definitely a favourite with tourists which made me think the food would be below par, but it was a pleasant surprise. A solid offering with traditional Italian favourites, I started with red tuna carpaccio alla puttanesca - fresh and well-seasoned followed by my main of veal milanese with pasta tossed in butter on the side, the veal took up the entire plate, a lovely thin escalope cooked to perfection. After the veal I was too full to order dessert (I also ordered two pistachio martinis prior to my meal that I would recommend highly if you enjoy a sweet cocktail and something a little different). So, my last day in Paris ended on a positive note.
Top 5 Dining Experiences
- Alliance - what can I say, perfect
- Ze Kitchen Galerie
- Aldehyde
- a.lea
- Gemellus
Overall, my holiday in Paris was amazing and I am so glad I found this website as dining is such an important part of my overall travel experience so thanks to all the posters whose recommendations contributed to making my holiday so fabulous.
A final note before I sign off: My love of Paris continues as I will be returning to Paris in July 2026 for a month’s holiday and I have compiled a new list of restaurants including some favourites from this holiday and I will be posting this list before the end of the year, and as always, I will be keen to get your thoughts/feedback.
Happy eating everyone!!!
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Michelle,
Thank you so much for this review and all of your prior ones which were wonderful. Two of my all time favorites (Alliance and ) are on your hit list.
I look forward to your report on your July trip ( both pre and apres). I will be in Paris for a month in late September/October and due to the death of my husband will spend some of that time dining solo. Your input will be invaluable.
One suggestion that I have is Hestia. It is located smack in the middle of the Rue de la Huchette mess and is a food beacon in the Notre Dame area. I went there twice last Spring based on Onzieme’s review. I was not disappointed.
Thanks again. Happy traveling and happy eating.
Thanks for the recommendation, Barbara, Hestia has now been added to the list. I will be staying in the 7th for 11 nights so this works in really well. I not sure what it is about the left bank but 3 of my top 5 restaurants were located there and this is my preferred location in Paris for just about everything but still, I did not want to limit myself to one location so this time around I will be staying in two new locations - 11th and the 18th (swapping out the 1st and 9th from my last visit) in addition to the 3rd which I really enjoyed (close to the Place des Vosges) last time around.
I am sorry to hear about your loss, travelling solo can be challenging as it takes us out of our comfort zone but on the flipside, it can be very enjoyable and fun if you are open to it, cheers.
