Le Relais montmartre 
Le Relais Madeleine 
Le Grand Véfour, one of the best restaurants in Paris
Exceptional cuisine, an extraordinary setting, a historic palace, and a world-class chef. These are the ingredients that make up this exceptional restaurant, which is a 10-minute walk from the Relais Saint-Honoré.
Photo credit Jérôme Mondière
History
The restaurant opened in 1784, back then known as Café de Chartres. The decor has remained unchanged ever since, despite the revolutions and wars that the establishment has undergone.
Napoleon Bonaparte, Mac Mahon, and Georges Sand have sat on its benches. Victor Hugo had his napkin and his regular dish, which never changed: vermicelli, mutton breast, and white beans.
Jean Cocteau also became a loyal customer of the restaurant and would even draw there (menu opposite). The rooms also have several of the artist's drawings. Jean Marais, Sacha Guitry, Colette, who stayed above the restaurant, André Malraux, Louis Aragon, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Simone de Beauvoir also regularly came to Le Grand Véfour.
Decor or a Time Machine?
The decor borrows from styles such as Rococo and Transition, and will immerse you in the mood of good taste that the nobility and the bourgeoisie of the time appreciated. It's hard not to be impressed when you walk through the front door.
The Chef
Guy Martin is ranked by the World Master Arts of Culinary as on of the seven best chefs in the world. He has received countless distinctions and awards. He is also the author of many books, making him probably one of the most productive chefs. This self-taught Savoyard started in the business at 17 as a pizzaiolo. Le Grand Véfour received its first Michelin star only 6 months after its arrival in 1985, 28 years ago. Le Grand Véfour got its 2nd star in 1995 and its 3rd star five years later, which it kept uptil 2008.The Menu
But how expensive is this high flying gastronomic restaurant? The lunch menu, including an appetizer, a main course, and a dessert is €155 and the tasting menu, served in the evening, is €315.For example, you can taste the foie gras ravioli with truffled cream (€98), one of Guy Martin's signature dish, which has been on the menu since 1985. It represents his "contemporary" cuisine, made of noble products, worked with richness and indulgence, inspired by his travels.
Foie gras ravioli with truffled cream (€98)
There is the Blue lobster, with colored tomatoes and water, olive oil from la Fare les Oliviers and black salt (€118), served warm. It is a subtle range of summer flavors. Then there is also Guy Martin's other mythical dish: the oxtail parmentier with truffles (€112)
To conclude this high-flying menu, you can choose the dark chocolate Manjari cube with 64% cocoa, filled with oranges and pomegranates, whose acidity is softened by a sorbet and a coconut biscuit. The waiter told us to hit the cube with the back of the spoon in order to begin eating without making to much noise. We owe this desert to Mourad Rachdi, the pastry chef of Le Grand Véfour, it is as gourmet as it is pretty.
Enjoy!
Manjari Cube, raspberries with lemongrass and tarragon, shortbread with oat flakes (€40)
GRAND VÉFOUR
17, rue de Beaujolais - 75001 Paris
Monday to Friday, from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm and from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Tel. 01 42 96 56 27
http://www.grand-vefour.com/en/