Taillevent

Taillevent Restaurant Review:

Although this venerable house did not really show any wrinkles, because it will probably never display the signs of a great age, the décor has been a tad modernized. The refurbishing highlights even more the sheen of the old woodworks. But with its clubby and subdued atmosphere, Taillevent will always be Taillevent, a restaurant meant for the well-behaved and well-heeled, speaking to each other with a soft voice. In this BCBG (Bon Chic, Bon Genre approximately translatable to Good Tastes, Good Manners) establishment, chef David Bizet presides. You might encounter such dishes as sea bass cooked with liquorice milk, cucumber and caviar; roasted pigeon with wild garlic, black olive condiment and malted turnips; and citrus baba with lemongrass and vegetal flavors. Choose from the à la carte menu or preferably from the dégustation menu --- €220 is a good value for such a place and its across-the-board quality (€90 prix-fixe menu at lunch). With more than 2,800 offerings, the celebrated wine and spirits list is just astounding. Many superb wines are available by the glass. Visit also the associated wine shop, Les Caves Taillevent, nearby. The service is as polished as it gets.