Unforgettable Dining Rooms in Paris

We took our youngest to Europe in a fleeting visit to our favourite cities - 3 days in Paris. The premise to 'enjoy the city' which is the best way to see Paris. She is vegetarian, but also not a fan of a lot of vegetables, so dining was not going to be the traditional fare. As we would be eating plenty of pizza and pasta later in the trip, that was off the table too.

I chose restaurants where the room was as much as a draw as the menu, making it part of the 'sight seening'.

First day was Kong. We got dressed up and had booked for the Verriere. There is also a restuarant level which is a normal room. The glass room has an instant wow factor. Designed by Phillipe Stark, the eye is trying to take in the interior and the exterior at the same time, as both are impressive. 

With great views of Paris, Pont Neuf and Samaritaine, it was a great way to 'sightsee' after our long flight. The food is French-Japanese fusion so there were dumplings (and chips) for the fussy teen. The adults enjoyed the expereince too. In the evening it also operates as a bar, but I'm not sure that is in the glass room or the floor below.

The next day we went for wow factor (and vegetarian tacos). Jungle Palace is like teamlabs opened a restaurant. You enter into a completely different world, immersed into the world of wild life and leafy trees. Projections as well as three dimensional sculptures surround you.

And the bathrooms are next level!

I was happy with the menu as there were quite a few things for the teen and she probably ate the more vegetables here than she did for the whole trip - and not a potato in sight! Very fun option if you have kids.

Lastly, we went to the more traditional Beef Bar. We dressed up according to their dress code but we were the only people seeming to adhere to it. Finally some traditional French fare for us (though just salad and chips for the teen). I had been a little unsure about this one, as it's a chain out of Monaco, by Ricardo Giraudi (Beef Boy). I was a little reluctant when I realised it was part of the Georges V (as I'm wary of hotel restaurants) but my sister in law recommended it, and the room was a draw, located in an Art-Nouveau atrium, registered as a Heritiage Monument. In it's former life, it was La Fermette Marbeuf, a restarant opened in 1898 for the Paris expo in 1900. The 1900s room has a beautiful stained-glass ceiling,  glorious mosaics, and hand-painted ceramics.

A cute modern touch to the formality of the historic room is the fun plates by French porcelain maker Bernardaud. It really set the tone for us to relax a little in the opulant setting. There is a prixe fixe menu for lunch, if on a budget. It was delicious but we did also order a few extras, not because we needed it but the tasty street food entrees sounded too delicious to pass up. 

When booking, make sure you ask for the chamber originale so you don't get the modern main room.

If you're only in Paris for a short time, the time spent in restaurants doesn't need to pause the sightseeing!

 Practicalities:

Kong

Jungle Palace

Beef Bar

Further Reading

Conversations over coffee - My Favourite City

Paris - a love affair

Paris in Snow

Christmas Time in Paris 

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