Tour d’Argent

No review anyone writes here can make any difference to this place.
But I want correct one thing: it was NOT founded in 1582… what an absurd idea for ANY restaurant! The tower was built then.
You have to eat here once, for the view alone.
No picture does justice to the dining room experience.
The second reason is wine list is amazing, the prices are very reasonable. The only issue only very few on Unilocal who review restaurants are really interested in fine wine. So this will be lost.
Why 3 stars?
The food was not very good. The plates were very beautiful, but not so much taste. My experience at Taillevent, for example, have always been much better.
The service was «almost great». But in reality it lacked the clarity and seemlessness that is required for a 3* place. Current they have only one Michelin star.
Having said that I would go back, as the wine list is so amazingly good.

Tour d’Argent is one of, if not the oldest restaurant (1582) in Paris, and without any doubt one of the finest. Yes, it’s pricey and you really ought to dress for it as it offers one of the most memorable experiences you’ll find. Though it claims to have been frequented by King Henry IV, I couldn’t find any documentation of that claim or some of their other claims to fame, but even though it doesn’t have much of a Michelin Guide rating, it has since 1986, been the recipient of the Wine Spectator Grand Award.
Regardless of all of that crap, if you want to dine in Paris at a restaurant that signifies the epitome of what dining in Paris is all about, Tour d’Argent is a must.
Now allow me to digress and give my fellow Americans a few tips about enjoying Paris. The first rule (sort of a when in Rome do as the Romans do) is to dress properly. Your tourist like Mickey Mouse souvenir T-​shirt, sneakers and shorts won’t make it in Paris. If you dress well, meaning for men, an Italian Kiton or Brioni (your waiter will know the differences) jacket and tie, there will always be a front table for you and you will receive proper treatment at any restaurant or café. If you don’t, but often only if you’re lucky, you’ll be sent to the third floor or seated toward the rear next to the wash room which is their way of letting you know that you count for nothing in Paris. It’s all a matter of style, something one might relate to any American valet parking experience where the Rolls Royce or Ferrari is yellow line parked out front with the Chevys or the Buicks ending up in the out of the way rear parking spaces. As a further tip, if like me, you can’t afford a new Kiton or Brioni, do what I do and shop a used one on eBay. No one will know the difference and you’ll save a lot of big bucks in the process. Then, don’t forget to show off a bit by fashionably leaving the first button of your four button sleeve open, appropriately unbuttoned.
That being said, Tour d’Argent (literal translation meaning «Tower of Silver» or as some may say, «Tower of Money») offers a majestic city views of the Seine and Notre Dame along with an atmosphere of outstanding elegance. In keeping with its signature premier dish of note, I ordered their pressed duck (canard à la presse) along with one of their better wines.
My wine came first, but was first approved by their resident sommelier, then ceremoniously table decanted with a candlelight backing to carefully check for any grape skin residue or other impurity. The wine I selected from their reserve, possibly largest in Paris containing approximately 450,000 bottles, was a grand vin Château Latour which couldn’t have been better but not so surprisingly at a price that, if you’re not prepared, might just well knock your socks off. However, since this was my big splurge, I went for it.
My pressed duck arrived at my table in exquisite presentation along with a card stating the serial number of the bird and indicating the duck was raised on the restaurants farm. All pressed duck served are serial numbered with some having been recorded. It’s my understanding that U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt dined on duck #203,728 and actress Marlene Dietrich on duck #203,728. Though my experiences of dining on pressed duck are limited, I must say it proved to be the best I’ve ever had, totally robust, exceedingly sound in flavor and having an overall texture unparalleled with any of my previous experiences.
Though one of the more pricey meals I’ve ever had, the food and overall dining experience offered by Tour d’Argent is, in my book, well worth it.

Older restaurant in France, 1582. The environment is one of the best. You will get to know more about the French hospitality. Everything was good, except my main course the Pork dish. I recommend the restaurant should eliminate this dish. It is too dry and tasteless. Other than that, it is very fine restaurant that you must try once in your lifetime.

Fantastic and iconic Parisian restaurant. The view itself is worth paying La Tour d’Argent a visit but you’ll stay for the food. Great dining experience in the center of Paris, We have the quenelles (pike dumplings), duck, Angus and a few desserts. All dishes were impeccably executed.

La vue de Paris, depuis notre table est toujours aussi magnifique. Pour notre deuxième visite, nous avons opté pour le célèbre canard au sang.
Une préparation ancestrale et d’une saveur subtile. Les petits gris et le caviar étaient tout simplement sublimes. Les vins … Magiques.
Cerise sur le gâteau, nous avons eu le plaisir de pouvoir visiter la célèbre cave au 350.000 bouteilles. Une visite aussi rare que magnifique.
Pour l’instant, La Tour d’Argent est ce que j’ai visité de mieux. L’addition est bien entendu à la hauteur de cette expérience gastronomique hors du commun.

We went here for our 25 wedding anniversary because we wanted a special dining experience and la Tour didn’t not disappoint. It is very pricy but hey this is a once in a lifetime experience. I can tell you as soon as you arrive in your taxi you are made to feel special. The service is top notch. We had the lobster and lobster bisque. The bisque was actually not the best I had but had a LOT of lobster! For our mains I wanted to try the duck as this is their specialty and it was impressive. Very tender and tasty. It does have a slight gaming taste though so if that is not your thing then you might want to reconsider. My husband had the steak and it was the most tender steak I’ve ever had. It was amazing! We finished with the crepes and I highly recommend you order them. They were out of this world! In closing. And without giving too much away, if you’re looking for that dining experience to blow you away, then La Tour is the place!

Such a wonderful where all meals are prepared to an excellence, Dishes are delicious,
Very impressive place!

Cruelle déception est l’expression qui me vient le plus facilement à la bouche. J’ai la chance de pouvoir régulièrement tester des monuments de la gastronomie française, et je dirais pour celui-​ci que le meilleur atout de sa cuisine, c’est… la vue sur Notre-​Dame.
Parce que pour ce qui est des assiettes, on né peut pas dire que c’est mauvais, mais ça n’a rien d’extraordinaire non plus. On pourra me rétorquer que c’est une cuisine gardienne du clacissisme. Certes, mais un cuisiner classique comme Guy Savoy, par exemple, sait faire de chacune de ses assiettes un hommage à la grande cuisine classique, et croyez-​moi, ça n’a rien à voir.

La Tour D’Argent is an ancient culinary institution, with impeccable service, an amazing view, and one of the world’s most revered wine lists. We booked our reservation as a once in a lifetime event. Cross it off the list.
Though very good, D’Argent is not the best meal we have had (nor the most expensive).
We arrived and were ushered into the sitting room, as is customary. We sat in chairs that likely cushioned the butts of kings, prime ministers, movie stars, and presidents. Once escorted to the dining room, we sat on the window and gazed at the river boats on the Seine as the sun set behind Notre Dame. It is a magical setting and we thoroughly enjoyed our Champagne as we perused the menu and wine list.
The servers were professional and attentive, not overbearing. They are almost invisible. Yet, your glass is never empty and your food arrives, as if by magic, at precisely the right time.
The sommelier is a fantastic resource. The recommended 1993 Burgundy to pair with the obvious choice of the Duck D’Argent was spot on.
My wife ordered the lobster bisque and I had the quenelles to get things started (we were offered some pâté and ate that heartily before ordering). My wife enjoyed the bisque, slightly smokier than we are used to and including a generous portion of the lobster. My quenelles were quite good.
The duck was very good, coming with it’s little post card of authenticity, though not visually appealing. It really is not visually appealing.
Cheese plate, delicious. No, really. Hmmmmm, cheese. Matched with a nice dessert wine. The chocolate soufflé was delicious.
Time to compare. We have eaten dishes at Le Tablette, another Michelin starred restaurant, that were better. The service at D’Argent was much, much better, however. The wine list at D’Argent was also much, much better. The view from D’Argent is inspiring. You don’t get that anywhere else in the city.
To summarize, D’Argent offers a wonderfully romantic setting with great service and an incredible wine list. The food is very good, though maybe not quite up to the level of «best thing I’ve ever eaten,» Maybe that’s because we prefer a more modern take on the classics. Still, a night to remember.

Omg, the view is to die for. Please dress to impress. This is a place to see and be seen. The food is extremely expensive. Do not go if you do not plan on trying everything. Expect to pay at least 500 euros per couple. We had the duck and fillet. All excellent.

We just returned from a month in Paris. I am an old beat up surfer and way back in 1984 I won a sales contest and the prize was a week in Rome and 1 million Lira ($ 700 at the time ha ha) When I was given the news, I called my wife and told her to sit down, I had just won us a trip to Rome for a week, all expenses paid at the number one hotel in town… still is today, so they say. She said no you didn’t, you are going to take me everywhere Daddy served during WWII. We visited 11 countries in 34 days and ended in Paris and we have been to Europe 30 times since and all but ten times have spent 5 days to a week in Paris.
Each time, we took the Vedettes de Pont Neuf Seine Tour at Sunset the night of our arrival and the night before our departure in Paris, always looking up at the lights in the window of La Tour D’Argent longingly knowing that we could not afford to go. This year we passed by that darned restaurant every day on the BatoBus and with our 38^th Anniversary (how could this girl put up with me all those years) I sent in the reservation form on the 8^th of April for a lunch reservation on the 30^th our Anniversary. Surprise, I got in. I google translated the first paragraph advising me that we had a noon reservation and they made note of our Anniversary occasion.
The night of the 29^th just before midnight my iPad notification bell sounded and I had an e mail from the Director of La Tour advising me that since I had not reconfirmed the instructions (obviously the second un-​translated paragraph in his first e mail confirming my reservation) my reservation was hereby CANCELLED. Noooooooooo! At one minute after nine, I called La Tour and started to explain and sputtered etc and the operator said, «Ah yes, you are booked for 12 noon, see you then.» Now our saga began.
Über Lady picked us up in a sharp black perfectly waxed Prius, dressed in black and white and told us it was her first fare to La Tour. We arrived in a misty rain and the door man met us with a huge umbrella, and whisked us into the Terrail’s living room where an attendant, reminiscent of a Nordstrom floor manager, perfectly coiffed and dressed to the nines took our coats and all the gear we had and sat us in a very comfortable sofa for a short wait for another attendant to come take us down the hall to the waiting elevator and operator there. Yes, I was feeling a little like «Jed Clampet moves to Beverly Hills» but I did have on a coat and tie. The elevator opened on the top floor and we were greeted by the maître d’ and his assistant and both escorted us into the main dining room with it’s imposing view of Paris, crowned by Notre Dame across the way and Sacre Coeur on Montmartre in the distance. Everything formal and proper but welcoming. We were being served by people who have been trained for many years and enjoy serving everyone, be they Queens, Kings or presidents or just plain folks like us. It is totally their thing and who am I to upset that cart. Frankly, I loved every minute of it. More than 10 people served us during our 3 hour experience and to perfection. When my wife got up to visit the powder room two waiters came over and one took her hand and escorted her to the Ladies room, oh please!
We were treated to an amuse bouche (sort of a get ready Hors d’œuvre) that would run close to 40 Euros so that was nice. My wife had the fish and I, of course the world renowned Duck Breast etc etc etc as said by the King of Siam. Suffice to say it was the my best meal ever, served by a warm and welcoming staff, and definitely the finest dining experience for both of us. At the end of our visit, the late Claude Terraill’s wife and mother of Andre, the owner, came by for a visit and presented us with a bag of goodies including Claude Terrail’s compelling biography and history of his family and experiences from his boyhood living in the building up until he passed away.
Lunch 85E pp plus a choice from a wine cellar of 450,000 bottles. If you can go… do it now. It is well worth the price. An Unforgettable afternoon.

Let me start by saying… prepare to spend. I mean it. If you don’t have enough money do not come here and later leave bad reviews because of how much you had to spend. This is once-​in-​a-​lifetime type of restaurant (for some). I happen to love it and go there whenever I’m in Paris (yes, I save all year for it). Even if you are not impressed by the fact this place has been established in 1582, you will be impressed by their duck and quenelles (obviously, my faves). Food is divine and service is beyond excellent. They even tolerate tourists taking pictures of Notre Dame with big cameras… for French that’s a lot to tolerate in that type of restaurant! Anyway, all jokes side, this restaurant is traditional, classy and quiet place where you know you’ll have the highest quality in both food and service. Please no sneakers and again don’t forget: prepare to spend.

Not worth the prices and they are living on their old reputation. The service is outstanding from the doorman to the elevator boy to the Captain and everyone else.
However the food leaves a lot to be desired. The two Amuse Bouche were a nice surprise and while the quenelles were very good the pork entrée was horrible, dry and very boring. The dessert was OK but 10 Euro for the coffee was a joke. We will not be back.

Highly anticipated, the experience fell far short. The service was patchy – water goblet was never refilled without asking while the wine glasses were filled after each sip. One of the junior waiters smelled as if he had last showered shortly before accepting the position; I had to hold my breath when he came by. Duck was so undercooked from the requested medium to medium rare that it quacked when cut. The maitre d’ agreed and brought a properly prepared fowl to the table. The first fowl was foul. Plates had smears and fingerprints – what one would expect at a bistro, not a pantheon of fine dining. Wines were super (96 Raveneau MdT and 90 Roumier Chambolle). View and dining room were breathtaking, but next time, I’d bring my own meal and it would likely exceed this staid and poorly executed cuisine. No return visit planned – Paris has too much else to offer. By comparison, Jules Verne beats this place effortlessly.

We have our first dinner at this restaurant in Paris. It’s amazing for their duck. We drinked one bottle of Château Calon Segar 2003 for celebrating in which year my wife came to Beijing.

To eat dinner here is like eating a Monet.
When my sister and I visited Paris for the first time from the US, we HAD to attempt to eat here.
Naturally, as the #1 restaurant in the world, it can take a little while to get a reservation. Thank goodness, we attempted it in way off season. My sister speaks superb french, so that may helped in our getting a seating with a view.
Our wait team summers in England to have superb English. Their service is beyond superb. They are always present but not hovering in a way that would disturb the diners. When they served my pêche flambé, and the flames when out, there was a moment for me like St. Theresa transfixed in a moment of ecstasy as the parfum of the raspberry liquor rose to my nostrils. The waiter has started to approach my dish to add the un petit geau of cake to sop the liquor, who, being trained to look at us, noticed my transfiction and stepped back out of my range of sight. Most regular waiters would have just stood there interrupting the exquisite moment. As I respirez exhaled, he deftly moved in, placing it in the plate and then stepping back, disappeared, as if he were never there.
They have what is one of the two best wine cellars in the world. DO take advantage and ask the sommelier for guidance. He will graciously suggest a few options at few different price points. Here in France, you can readily get what are half bottle bottles, which provides you with 2 glasses of superb wine. My sister got a red. I am not the biggest lover of white wine, so I merely selected a single glass of what was amazing white wine.
There was a crass pig guest trying to show up the sommelier at a table next to us which made him accidently boop the little bottle of red wine’s stand and it feel. There was likely only ½ a glass left at that point, and it was the end of the meal, so naturally we wouldn’t have wanted a new bottle. He offered in the smoothest most gracious way possible to comp us each a glass of champagne with our dessert. They were out of this world.
My American friends all wanted to know what it cost.
My French friends sighed wistfully, got a dreamy expression on their faces, and asked… what did you have?

Decided on a lunch reservation due to our short stay in the city. Rainy first day back from holiday so we had to wander in the rain a bit until the opened the doors at 12:15 for our noon reservation.
Service was impeccable! Duck was phenomenal, as expected. Wine list was huge, wish I had gone downstairs to look. We were lucky enough to have the corner window seat… Best view in Paris!

This place gets five * for being what it is «an old school stuffy French Restaurant». Wine list is out of this world and for those of you that don’t know or care I feel for you. They are famous for their duck. I’m sure that they do other meats/​veggies but just order the duck. They have been doing it for 432 years (200 years longer than the US has been a country). I think they got it down.
When you go to a proper French restaurant like this one expect dinner to last at least 2.5 hrs. In case, you are out in less time than that either you were gently rushed out or you had an emergency. Go enjoy the view, your firends, the food, the wine, and generally the atmosphere of a place that doesn’t exist anywhere else.

You will go for the food, stay for the view and return for the exceptional service. The service was unexpectedly warm and friendly. I secured our reservation by email and made several adjustments after — from the number in our party to the time of day– and they were persistently nice about it. We then arrived late for our seating (long story) and they still gave us one of the best seats in the house with a ridiculous view of Notre Dame.
The service alone made our dining experience special. As expected, our meal was delicious. The prices are reasonable for Paris. A truly 5 Star experience. Bravo!

Un restaurant phare de notre patrimoine culinaire, le menu déjeuner est une bonne façon de découvrir leur cuisine qui est classique avec une touché de modernité.
C’était un sans faute, il y avait juste le canard que j’ai trouvé un peu sec, la partie sucré est digne d’un 3 étoile, il né manqué pas grand chose pour leur 2 ème étoile.
Réservation conseillée.

The most expensive meal I have ever had!
The building and it’s art and furniture a beautiful and deep in history and tradition.
The view was breathtaking. The wine list was amazing. I had prawns for and appetizer in a raspberry coulis amazing! My filet of beef was also out of this world.

C’est un restaurant a la hauteur de sa réputation !
Une vue extraordinaire complète le menu

Un cadre d’exception, un service sans faute, un canard délicieux, une carte des vins plus imposante qu’un bottin… A la hauteur de sa réputation.
Le menu midi donne un bon aperçu de la carte pour un prix plus doux.

super yammi especial after a feet spa next here. But the price for me is a little bit expensive, however, I will come back to try the other dishes maybe!!!

Lieu mythique et pour cause !
Bien sûr des prix très élevés, mais une cuisine qui vous ravit les papilles sur tous les points !
Et qui plus est une carte des vins vraiment impressionnante (la carte a la taille d’un bottin)
Le cadre est incroyable, le service impeccable et tous les plats originaux et délicieux. Goûtez au caneton parfaitement cuisiné ou encore au foie gras
Bref, un très très bon souvenir

Rien a redire… un service parfait, un cadre incroyable et des plats succulents…
nous avons pu tester au menu dégustation composé d’un amuse bouche (pâté de foie gras à la pistache), 3 entrées (foie gras, asperges à la truffe et velouté de carottes), 1 plat (filet de caneton), un dessert (un biscuit à la passion et à la vanille) et quelques mignardises (guimauve au coco, financiers et tartelettes aux fraises des bois) qui accompagnaient le café.
Vraiment délicieux!

Bön, mais
Nous y sommes allés pour notre 34e anniversaire de mariage. Belle maison à l’ancienne. Personnel agréable, belle vue sur Notre Dame et la Seine. Nous sommes friands de bonne table, là nous n’avons pas été surpris. C’est bon, mais l’addition à 400 euros pour deux avec une demi bourteille de vin blanc, ce n’est pas l’explosion de saveurs que nous avons pu avoir dans d’autre lieux, j’attends de ce genre de restaurant de la qualité faite sur place ! à la carte, la viande de porc vient d’Espagne, et le boeuf des USA pour une grande table de la cuisine française… ! j’ai pis du canard, pas de quoi s’envoler, le dessert à la mesure du reste, je né m’en rappelle même plus. C’est un lieu mythique où je tenais à aller, voilà c’est fait.

We came here for our New Year’s Day lunch and it is by far, the most ‘French’ (super old school) restaurant we have been to Paris yet. (Though, we normally avoid eating at Louis XIV type places where the waiters are dressed in penguin suits, but the lunch menu pricing was compelling so we checked it out).
Anyway, with the view of Notre Dame, the savory canard and again, the value of the lunch pre-​fixe (68 euro pp) — we were very satisfied! Would recommend. Especially if you like going to places where royalty, principalities and presidents go eat. [Note it is a formal attire type of place, so don’t be surprised if it the service/​patrons seem a bit elitist]
–
Our lunch menu (for my husband and I): (68 euro per person)
–Amuse bouche (Both): Foie gras terrine
–Amuse bouche 2 (Both): Pumpkin veloute with pumpkin, morels and truffls.
–Starters (Mine): Pike dumplings «André Terrail»
–Starter (Husband’s): Escargo with a slow-​simmered cabbage, garlic emulsion
–Entrée (Mine): Roasted duckling fillet from Vendée, sweet potatoes and mandarine
–Entrée (Husband’s) Pan-​sauteed top rib beef, tender potatoes and parsley
–Dessert (mine): Chestnut tartelett with vanilla bean crème
–Dessert (Husband): Dark chocolate ganache mille feuille
–Petit fours: chocolate selection, chocolate ganache tart, fluffy coconut marshmallows and praline cream puffs
*2 bottles of badoit sparkling water (7 euro each)
*No cheese course/​coffee/​alcohol because we were too full already!
Total: 150 euros (including service)

El Cheff Laurent Delarbre, es una celebridad.
Su exquisita comida es famosa.
No se puede o yo no se explicar o comentar suficientemente, lo «sublime».
Opino que cada cual debe hacer una visita a dicho restaurante, a modo de peregrinación, al menos una vez en la vida.
Caro, carísimo… bueno, buenísimo.

BEST RESTAURANT EVER!
If you go to Paris, you must visit here for the experience.
First of all, it’s a great view. You are on the upper floor so you can see Notre Dame. They are also very English-​friendly. You are greeted immediately once you enter the place and they do take ALL types of credit cards including AmEx if you were worry.
Service is good, they remind me of French service. Once they serve you, they leave you alone and you need to beckon them over for other items. However, service is quick. Once you are done with your dish, they will clean up and serve the next one in a short period of time.
I actually think the price is a decent for lunch time. I was amazed by my slab of salmon for my salmon appetizer, it was delicious and beautifully plated! Also, you MUST GET THE DUCK if you come here. It’s good too! I love all the flavors on all the dishes, it’s yummy! You even get a postcard at the end with your duck’s serial number, so fancy! I love it. There’s a lot of complimentary items in between the dishes so it was very decent. I love it.
We took all the time in the world to sit there and enjoy our food, no one rushed us.
Note:
They do charge 12 euros for water. I guess we weren’t expecting that. It’s 12 euros for each large bottle you consume. No wonder the waitress gave us a funny look when we asked for more water.

Sublime…
Une adresse de rêve, un restaurant qui a inspiré les studios Disney pour le fameux Ratatouille, le plus vieux restaurant de Paris… bref, le meilleur. Offrez vous ce luxe au moins une fois dans votre vie, non seulement vous né serez pas déçu, mais vous demanderez à y revenir… et votre palais aussi ! La carte des vins reste la meilleure de la capitale, le canard est somptueux (renommée du restaurant). Allez-​y sans hésiter. La note à la fin reste très salée, mais l’idée de manger un repas de cette qualité avec une vue si imprenable sur Paris vous fera très vite oublier cette somme vertigineuse.

La Tour, un monument de la gastronomie française. Manger la ou le Tsar de la Russie ou l’Empereur Prusse ont dîné jadis. Le grésillement du parquet ciré, la cave avec des vins historiques, le ballet des serveurs, la vue sur l’Ile Saint Louis, la cuisine Et le vin qui décante avant d’être servit à la lumière d’une bougie Un passage ici va forcément laisser des souvenirs à vie. Dîner de Babette, un Clos Vogeot, un Dom Perignon, un rêve J’ai attendu 3 mois pour une table, c’est cher mais il faut y aller au moins une fois de sa vie.

excellent restaurant de renommée internationale. Les premiers prix sont aux alentours de 70 euros ce qui est abordable par rapport à l endroit. La vue sur la cathédrale est splendide surtout la nuit. a tester au moins une fois dans sa vie.

Une superbe expérience
Se faire inviter à La Tour d’Argent pour son anniversaire, cela né se refuse pas. Ce haut lieu de la gastronomie parisienne est vraiment à la hauteur de sa réputation, très bon service, carte des vins encyclopédique, vue imprenable sur Notre Dame ! Quand à l’assiette, le foie gras d’oie est certainement le meilleur qu’il m’ait été donné de goûter, et le caneton au sang (le fameux !) est servi en deux plats, qui vous font connaître une succession de saveurs. Le budget reste élevé, environ 200 euros par tête, mais l’expérience laisse un fantastique souvenir.

Restaurant mythique la tour d’argent propose une cuisine traditionnelle.
Cette cuisine est délicieuse et très fine et le midi le menu à 65EUR est très abordable vu le standing.
Les quenelles en entrée né ressemblent en rien à ce que j’ai déjà mangé, très léger et fondant. La joue de veau en plat est fabuleuse, le dessert un peu moins.
On est entouré d’une myriade de serveurs, forts sympathiques et qui né mettent pas mal à l’aise comme dans d’autres resto haut de gamme.
La vue est magnifique sur l’ile de la cité, ce qui né gâche rien.
Bref, un très bon moment pour un prix qui reste contenu vu l’établissement.
Cependant, ceux qui recherchent une cuisine un brin créative pourraient être déçus

La chance d’y manger né s’oublie pas une seconde…
J’ai eu la chance d’y manger une fois et une fois seulement mais je crois que ça restera à jamais gravé… Enfin il faut que j’y retourne maintenant que je suis un peu moins «jeune branleur» quoique… Et que je sais apprécier encore plus qu’avant les délices de la cuisine travaillée, pour la vue, le cadre, c’est effectivement un cadre exceptionnel qui caractérise bien Paris… J’en garde un souvenir impérissable et il me tarde d’y retourner pour faire un commentaire à la hauteur de ce que j’y ai mangé et vu. C’était il y a quelques années donc par égard à la qualité du restaurant je préfère revenir et refaire un commentaire digne de ce nom :) En tout cas je crois qu’il y avait tout ce qu’on peut attendre d’un grand restaurant, la vue en plus… Bref un des grands moments culinaires auquel j’ai vraiment eu de la chance d’être convié :)

Mythe et réalité
Invitation surprise, un peu d’émotion en découvrant la salle (privatisée pour l’occasion). Lieu exceptionnel, belvédère inoubliable. Repas exquis, dont le canard constituait la pièce maîtresse. Portions congrues («qui conviennent exactement à une situation donnée»), ogres s’abtenir. Deux vins remarquables. Dessert de Ladurée, délicieux. Service attentif mais non pesant. Un moment de plaisir, à partager entre happy fews (de préférence aisés, si j’ai bien lu).

Elle a perdu de son charme
Ce fut un très bon resto, il y a quelques années mais je trouve qu’il a perdu de cette qualité. L’accueil est relativement froid, il n’y a pas grand chose à manger. On y est allés pour le cèdre historique qui est extraordinaire et parce que le canard est fabuleux ! Le prix reste très élevé pour un étoilé.

La Tour d Argent voila un Restaurant ou tout n est que beaute, on y trouve un personnel d un tres grand professionnalisme, des mets d une qualite exceptionnelle et on né parle pas de leur cave qui est extraordinaire !!!
Evidemment a faire mais je le conseille vraiment qu a des tres fines «gueules» sinon se serait vraiment dommage !!!

La Tour d’Argent, j’aime la montrer aux personnes auxquelles je fais visiter Paris, notamment lorsqu’on est sur lîle Saint Louis et que l’on voit distinctement le dernier étage et sa baie vitrée, avec juste au-​dessus sur le toit le drapeau français.
La Tour d’Argent a été créée au 16ème siècle et Henri IV comptait parmi ses fans.
Aujourd’hui elle est le symbole d’une cuisine traditionnelle à la française mais plus forcément d’une excellence contemporaine.
Je n’y ai pas mangé et né peux donc rien dire de concret.
J’y avais été cela étant pour m’enquérir d’un prix dans un contexte précis et j’avais entendu 25 minutes en bas le maître d’hôtel, la personne chargée de l’accueil était elle-​même mal à l’aise devant tant de retard.
Je m’étais dit: tiens, ça part mal pour un resto à 150 euros par tête de pipe.
Mais bon, si javais l’occasion d’y aller, je serais content.

Faut-​il manger à la Tour d’Argent ?
Non, parce qu’on né déboursera jamais autant pour ripailler (65 euros pour le menu du midi, menu dégustation à 160 euros, de 120 à 200 euros et plus pour un choix à la carte). Et parce qu’on mange pour sans doute mieux avec 3 euros 6 sous.
Oui, pour voir, parce que son service est exquis, sa vue imprenable, sa table à goûter. Et il y a plus de 500 000 bouteilles en cave…
On né peut jamais tout manger ni tout boire, malheureusement, alors on peut prendre juste sa part. Si le porte-​monnaie le permet, il y a sans doute une belle part à prendre à la Tour d’Argent.
Attention: port de la cravate obligatoire pour les hommes.

Für gewöhnlich mag ich keine Krawatten.
Bestimmt keine Aussage, mit der ich hier eine Debatte auslösen werde.
Ich übertreibe aber gewiss nicht, wenn ich sage, dass ich mein bisheriges Leben auch an der Nichtnotwendigkeit, ein so seltsames Bekleidungsstück täglich anlegen zu müssen, gestaltet habe. Die mich umgebenden Menschen und meine Arbeit ermöglichen mir die Freiheit, auf Schlips zu verzichten und jeder gelegentlich nötige Einsatz eines solchen, verschafft mir ein unangenehmes Gefühl schon im Vorfeld.
Ich habe dabei — vermutlich als Resultat meiner Ungeübtheit — oft den Eindruck, zu wenig Luft zum ordentlichen Atmen zu bekommen, gepaart mit einem allgemeinen Unwohlsein mit der Situation, der Umgebung und meiner daran angepassten Kleidung.
Ganz gelegentlich gibt es Hochzeiten, auf die ich trotzdem muss. Oder ein Lokal, dem der Ruf vorauseilt, man würde nur korrekt gekleidet Einlass erhalten.
Obwohl man Wochen vorher reserviert hatte. Und nur noch mittags Platz war.
Ich bin in vielen Restaurants gewesen in meinem Leben und meist gelingt es mir, mich schnell zu Hause zu fühlen. Manchmal allerdings finde ich mich in einer überwiegend formell umwehten Situation nicht richtig wieder. Ich möchte lachen dürfen. Und nicht der offensichtlich schüchternste Anfänger unter den Anwesenden sein. Gern erinnere ich mich an den verzweifelten Kampf von Julia Roberts mit der Vielzahl an Besteck und der Schneckenzange in diesem ausgesprochen offiziellen Lokal.
So etwas könnte einem auch im Tour d Argent passieren.
Form in Vollkommenheit. Fast geschmacklos überdekoriert in maximaler Bürgerlichkeit.
Mit einem irritierend schönen Blick auf den Fluss, die Seine und die Île de la Cité.
Scheinbar angeborener Stil durchweht jede noch so kleine Bewegung in diesem Haus. Ein leises Pariser Uhrwerk schnurrt seit Ewigkeiten durch diese Räume, nie geht etwas schief. Zumindest denkt man das.
Um sich die Dimension des Restaurants besser auf der Zunge zergehen lassen zu können, sei angemerkt, dass es zum Zeitpunkt der französischen Revolution schon etwas über zweihundert Jahre alt war.
Nie könnte hier eine Schüssel scheppernd zu Boden fallen, und wenn, würde der Flor des zentimeterdicken Teppichs das Geräusch geschluckt haben wie ein fauler Wal.
Die ganze Tradition einer der größten Küchen der Welt umweht einen schon vor der Türe. Hier einzutreten bedeutet nicht weniger als in den Felsendom, das Leninmausoleum oder auf den Gipfel des Mount Everest zu kommen.
Dafür darf man sich ein kleines Opfer an Wohlbefinden abverlangen. Andacht ist gefragt.
Tempeldienst.
Apropos zu wenig Luft bekommen. Die eigentlichen Hauptfiguren dieses Palastes der Hochkultur des Tieropfers, die Enten, hatten es schließlich auch nicht leicht.
Über eine Million von ihnen haben inzwischen ihr verhältnismäßig ruhiges Leben mit einem
–für mich persönlich nicht wünschenswerten — Ableben durch Ersticken nur für diesen Circus Maximus in der französischen Hauptstadt bezahlt. Jede einzeln zertifiziert.
Da kann man schon andächtig die geforderte Krawatte umlegen.
Durch das Ersticken bleibt das gesamte Blut des Tieres in seinem Körper. Es wird dann in der Küche nicht zu lang gebraten und mit einem speziellen Servierwagen an den Tisch gebracht. Der Oberkellner, eigentlich ein halber Koch, schneidet kunstvoll vor den Augen des animierten Gastes Brust und Keulchen aus dem Tier und stellt diese warm in einem mitgebrachten Réchaud. Der Rest der Ente, die blutgefüllte Karkasse, wird mit einer ca. 70cm-​hohen Silberpresse zermalmt und der herausströmende Saft in einer Kasserole aufgefangen. Dazu kommen reduzierter Portwein und einige weitere Zutaten, Butter und Cognac. Zuletzt schneidet er das Fleisch und richtet auf warmen Tellern an, darüber gießt er die Sauce, das Elixier.
Nennt sich Canard à la rouennaise und stammt eben aus der Stadt Rouen, wo mal versehentlich große Enten beim Transport erstickten, die man nur deswegen nicht wegwerfen wollte.
Das Resultat ist zugegebenermaßen köstlich.
Man tafelt an runden Tischen mit dicken Damasttüchern im 5. Stock. Natürlich kann man auch keine Ente essen, das Menu bietet die Highlights der Grande Cuisine.
Vielleicht hatte man einen schönen Tag und ist vorher an der Notre Dame vorbeigeschlendert und schafft es irgendwann, sich nicht mehr unsicher zu fühlen in Anwesenheit dieser ganzen Schahs, Prinzen und Präsidenten, die hier sitzen oder saßen.
Das Studium der Weinkarte erhöht anfangs möglicherweise die nachträgliche Schwellenangst, ein Keller mit Hunderttausenden von Flaschen, serviert von fast bedrückend professionellen Garcons und Mâitres. Wunderbar.
Allerdings, und wahrscheinlich von Niemandem anders erwartet:
Der finanzielle Aufwand für einen Besuch hier ist beträchtlich, also nicht unbedingt etwas für einen Montagabend im November, wenn man gerade nicht gut gelaunt ist.
Will man also bis zum Ende respektvoll behandelt werden, ist eine aufgeladene Kreditkarte mit mindestens der Wochenheuer eines