If you want to dine at a Michelin starred restaurant there are so many good - and less expensive, less stuffy - ones to choose from. We had a memorable lunch at Le Jules Verne that rang all the right culinary bells and somehow managed to be fun and charming for a special occasion. Ditto La Tour d'Argent. And many very original tasting menus around town if that is what you like. Thanks for the review - did not make me nostalgic for the past!
We ate there this past July after making a reservation months in advance. We were staying in the neighborhood and celebrating a special birthday.
The meal was so disappointing. The service was impeccable and lovely. I found that we had to dine at the pace of their service and I tired of it so quickly and wanted to leave. We had to bear with it for another 2 hrs.
The food was expensive but the wine even more so. I felt thankful to have had the experience but would never go back.
It's nice to know that there are still restaurants which haven't changed their menu in years, which think caviar and black truffles elevate any dish, which stick to culinary principles established in the 19th century and where service is not memorable in a space that is not welcoming but like an old chateau, only with central heating. It's important that these restaurants remain to support folks who want this and who don't think a half-chicken for 190 euros is a problem.
This allows chefs at other restaurants to explore and innovate. These restaurants are where diners can go to be challenged and stimulated and enjoy the unexpected. Conversation and imagination is stimulated. They are, for the most part, happy and joyous places, often without tablecloths.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—and likely in the future— you write beautifully! You have the seemingly magical ability to convey the essence of the meal and place without using unnecessary descriptors.
Thanks, Meg. Such a clear and honest review. In your late 2025 poll of your readers I was one of the ones voting for reviewing three star places precisely so that we know which ones might be worth the expense. L’Ambroisie was not on our radar screen in any case, but I hope you will continue to post these reviews in the coming months. They are a valuable service.
“Have these words ever been written …” says it all. The best Paris food writing on the planet, with apologies to David Leibowitz. When in Paris again I think I’ll stick to the bistros.
Thank you as always for being honest, true, not accepting free dinners in exchange for overly positive reviews when not warranted, and for just plainly stating that this did not feel worth it. I don't really think a $1300 (at the current euro-dollar rate, that's $1600 dollars) meal for two ever could. For me that's an airline ticket to Paris from California! Apart from the food, red LED lights have no place in a restaurant shy of maybe a Las Vegas sports bar, but definitely not in a Michelin starred and one of the most expensive restaurants in Paris!
My wife and I ate here almost 20 years ago, and have discussed going back, since we always stay at Pavilion de la Reine. But having read this review, we won't return for two reasons: first, we are kind of over tasting menus and even though this isn't one it plays like it is. Second, the prices. Here in New York we paid $58 for a bowl of pasta as an appetizer and are really "over" the truffles and caviar and foie thing right now. Loved your review as always and on our next trip to Paris will head to some of the other great meals you had - probably all of them together less than this!
I have very rarely eaten at this level - perhaps the only time was at the Georges V a few years ago after I discovered that they offered Sunday lunch for €85 each which was accompanied by a bottle of white wine for €50 - the cheapest available - which was still very acceptable.
What remains with me still (apart from the price!) is the ambience, the perfect service and how full we felt at the end. Absolutely nothing of what we ate except for the most delicious seaweed butter which accompanied the bread.
Do I regret it? Not for one minute. Would I repeat it? Probably not.
L’Ambroisie was my last 3 Michelin star meal several decades ago. I realized then that I was no longer interested in that level of dining at that price. Although the price was substantially less back then, I can’t recall a thing about that meal.
For this amount, it should be better than good in all courses. In my humble opinion. I spent 700 euros for lunch for two at LeMeurice in 2013 and I can still say it was worth the price.
If you want to dine at a Michelin starred restaurant there are so many good - and less expensive, less stuffy - ones to choose from. We had a memorable lunch at Le Jules Verne that rang all the right culinary bells and somehow managed to be fun and charming for a special occasion. Ditto La Tour d'Argent. And many very original tasting menus around town if that is what you like. Thanks for the review - did not make me nostalgic for the past!
We ate there this past July after making a reservation months in advance. We were staying in the neighborhood and celebrating a special birthday.
The meal was so disappointing. The service was impeccable and lovely. I found that we had to dine at the pace of their service and I tired of it so quickly and wanted to leave. We had to bear with it for another 2 hrs.
The food was expensive but the wine even more so. I felt thankful to have had the experience but would never go back.
great pleasure reading about a meal I'd never could afford have and feel Ok about it !
It's nice to know that there are still restaurants which haven't changed their menu in years, which think caviar and black truffles elevate any dish, which stick to culinary principles established in the 19th century and where service is not memorable in a space that is not welcoming but like an old chateau, only with central heating. It's important that these restaurants remain to support folks who want this and who don't think a half-chicken for 190 euros is a problem.
This allows chefs at other restaurants to explore and innovate. These restaurants are where diners can go to be challenged and stimulated and enjoy the unexpected. Conversation and imagination is stimulated. They are, for the most part, happy and joyous places, often without tablecloths.
Well put :)
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—and likely in the future— you write beautifully! You have the seemingly magical ability to convey the essence of the meal and place without using unnecessary descriptors.
Thanks, Meg. Such a clear and honest review. In your late 2025 poll of your readers I was one of the ones voting for reviewing three star places precisely so that we know which ones might be worth the expense. L’Ambroisie was not on our radar screen in any case, but I hope you will continue to post these reviews in the coming months. They are a valuable service.
“Have these words ever been written …” says it all. The best Paris food writing on the planet, with apologies to David Leibowitz. When in Paris again I think I’ll stick to the bistros.
Thank you as always for being honest, true, not accepting free dinners in exchange for overly positive reviews when not warranted, and for just plainly stating that this did not feel worth it. I don't really think a $1300 (at the current euro-dollar rate, that's $1600 dollars) meal for two ever could. For me that's an airline ticket to Paris from California! Apart from the food, red LED lights have no place in a restaurant shy of maybe a Las Vegas sports bar, but definitely not in a Michelin starred and one of the most expensive restaurants in Paris!
Swankiest doggie bag ever
My wife and I ate here almost 20 years ago, and have discussed going back, since we always stay at Pavilion de la Reine. But having read this review, we won't return for two reasons: first, we are kind of over tasting menus and even though this isn't one it plays like it is. Second, the prices. Here in New York we paid $58 for a bowl of pasta as an appetizer and are really "over" the truffles and caviar and foie thing right now. Loved your review as always and on our next trip to Paris will head to some of the other great meals you had - probably all of them together less than this!
I have very rarely eaten at this level - perhaps the only time was at the Georges V a few years ago after I discovered that they offered Sunday lunch for €85 each which was accompanied by a bottle of white wine for €50 - the cheapest available - which was still very acceptable.
What remains with me still (apart from the price!) is the ambience, the perfect service and how full we felt at the end. Absolutely nothing of what we ate except for the most delicious seaweed butter which accompanied the bread.
Do I regret it? Not for one minute. Would I repeat it? Probably not.
L’Ambroisie was my last 3 Michelin star meal several decades ago. I realized then that I was no longer interested in that level of dining at that price. Although the price was substantially less back then, I can’t recall a thing about that meal.
For this amount, it should be better than good in all courses. In my humble opinion. I spent 700 euros for lunch for two at LeMeurice in 2013 and I can still say it was worth the price.