High-end gastronomy in Paris - at the weekend?

glitch · 19 Nov 2013 at 21:37

Thanks to some rather stupid planning by the PA who booked my flights, I find myself 'stuck' in Paris for the day on a Saturday in the middle of December.

Still, what a pity to find yourself in one of the world's finest gastronomic destinations with an array of fine-dining experiences at your disposal, eh?

Well, at least that's what I thought...

Astrance - closed on Saturdays.

Septime - closed on Saturdays.

Pierre Gagnaire - closed on Saturdays.

Alain Ducasse @ Plaza Athénée - closed permanently from September.

Alain Ducasse @ Le Meurice - closed on the weekends.

Bigarrade - closed at the weekend.

Guy Savoy - only late opening on a Saturday.

Helen Daroze - only late opening on a Saturday.

Le Dauphin - closed on Saturdays.

L'Arpege - closed at weekends.

Now, either I'm missing something or there's a large amount of restauranteurs having a laugh at my expense. How can so many places that are featured in various 'best restaurant in the world' lists shut at the weekends?!

Anyway, the upshot of all this is that I'm still looking for somewhere nice to go for lunch. Preferably something along the lines of The Ledbury, The Greenhouse, The Square or similar - nothing too stuffy, nothing too formal, nothing too pretentious.

Any suggestions?

'Harry · 19 Nov 2013 at 22:22

Forget what you know

France is very different from England.

The French drink, but don't (often) get drunk.
They dine in the afternoon, not the evening.
Weekends are for family. Socializing is done during the week.
(This is rural France I speak for. I have no dealing with suburban France)

England is all about weekends. France is all about socializing during the weekdays. Most get 2 hour lunch breaks.

Ahleckz · 19 Nov 2013 at 22:36

I ate in Guy Savoy when I was there the other month. They are open Saturdays for dinner.

http://www.guysavoy.com/

Edit - Ah, just saw you had them in your list. Nevermind!

randomshenans · 20 Nov 2013 at 07:59

'Harry said:
Forget what you know France is very different from England.

The French drink, but don't (often) get drunk.
They dine in the afternoon, not the evening.
Weekends are for family. Socializing is done during the week.
(This is rural France I speak for. I have no dealing with suburban France)

England is all about weekends. France is all about socializing during the weekdays. Most get 2 hour lunch breaks.

I hate the lack of Sunday shop openings. You want milk? Find a cow. YOU PAINS!!!

Oh, you think nothing being open on the weekend is annoying. Try their 2hr shop shutting at lunches to annoy the **** out of you. The only time of the day anyone who is working has, and everywhere else is shut. Grrrr

Oh, sorry, you wanted suggestions. Let me get back to you...

glitch · 20 Nov 2013 at 11:56

I think I might actually have found somewhere the fits the bill! Great website, amazing photography and a properly great-looking Tasting Menu.

www.lestablettesjeanlouisnomicos.com

Thanks for your input, gents. I'll reply to the points you raised when I get more of a chance to digest them.

randomshenans · 20 Nov 2013 at 12:06

Looks nice that, you'll have to let us know what it was like.

'Harry · 20 Nov 2013 at 22:27

randomshenans said:
I hate the lack of Sunday shop openings. You want milk? Find a cow. YOU PAINS!!!

Oh, you think nothing being open on the weekend is annoying. Try their 2hr shop shutting at lunches to annoy the **** out of you. The only time of the day anyone who is working has, and everywhere else is shut. Grrrr

Oh, sorry, you wanted suggestions. Let me get back to you...

We gave up on fresh milk. We generally just buy a few liters of UHT now. Living in the middle of nowhere means popping out for fresh milk every few days is a pain. The closest shop to us is 10km away. The local village has a post office, a church and nobody is under the age of 40

France is annoying in a way, but they do promote a more family orientated environment. England is all about buy buy buy 24/7 (prob metropolitan France too granted)