Avenue des Champs Elysees is one of the places I would avoid visiting during peak hours if I’m vacationing in Paris. Perhaps it reminds me of home city Hong Kong – I’m tired of being packed in a sea of people and I would prefer to stay away from the crowd when travelling.
Hotel Le Bristol is a gem located just a few blocks away from the packed Avenue des Champs Elysees. The surrounding area is charming and peaceful neighbourhood for art galleries and local fashion brands.
Epicure is the signature restaurant in Le Bristol, headed by the three-starred chef Eric Frechon, now in his 40s. This is the restaurant where he was first awarded his three stars in 2009.
In the kitchen of Le Bristol, usually 4-5 chefs are on duty, with 3-4 people in the pastry section.
Without a doubt, Epicure gave me one of my best three-star experiences thus far. Points would go to its impeccable service and dining environment. It shows the effort behind choosing and training its staff. Service alone could make or break the diners’ experience in a restaurant.
Inside, the setting reminds me of a rose garden on a lovely and refreshing spring morning. Most importantly, the food was excellent – everything prepared with great care. I was very pleased with its simple, pleasant and clever flavor combination, never overwhelming the palate.
If the Michelin three-star rating could be further divided into three levels, Le Bristol would stand proud at the very top.
Le Bristol
Address: 112 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris, France
Tel: +01 53 43 43 40
Website: http://www.lebristolparis.com/
Visited on: 11 August, 2012
Price: Lunch Menu €130, Tasting Menu €280
Wine List:
Long list of fine branded wines, pricing at least double, some more than triple of market price.
Champagne €190 (Ruinart Brut) – €1750 (Salon 1990)
K's Luxe Dining Table 