I guess as foodies we should have experienced L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, but we went to La Table instead because, *drum roll*, it has a 55 euro prix fixe menu: 4 courses + a bottle of wine (!!) for lunch which is a steal that can’t be beat in Paris, or LA/NY…at least I haven’t seen it. And particularly for a Michellin 2 stars restaurant. It’s a great opportunity for us to have a taste of Joel Robuchon’s culinary empire without breaking the bank (we’re pretty low on $ by that time Y_Y). This is also our last “fine dining” experience at Paris, still more bistros to go though.
Its scale is not as intimidating as Taillevent and there’s no formal dress code. But we still felt a bit nervous at first as all the other patrons dress in formal business wear. The service is very friendly and welcoming.
The butter is very good. Amuse busch: Foie gras and chestnut. Two of my most favorite food together, very good!
Freda’s first course: Carpaccio with artichoke. The carpaccio is very smooth, great. The sauce is limey.
Freda’s 2nd course: Grill sea-bream with orange endives braisees. Really good. Cripsy on the outside, soft in the inside. The furry vegetable (not sure what’s it call) is very interesting for experiencing different “texture.” There’s not much of a flavor, guess it’s more of a palette cleanser?
Freda’s dessert: Creme brulee with pop corn. It’s not very special but still fun with pop corn. Creme brulee is very smooth and good.
My first course: fine gelee out of calf’s head (aka “head cheese”) and sauce gribiche. The head cheese is delicious just with the salt and pepper alone, the sauce is for the salad I think.
My 2nd course: cod with broccoli reduction with olive oil and hazelnut. This is simply one of the best dishes I’ve ever had! The fish is perfectly cook, and the sauce incredibly delicious. It’s light but has depth of flavors and the hazelnut is a really nice touch.
My dessert: poach pear with yogurt. Very good. Light and fresh tasting. The golden “paint” on the spoon is edible, as well we the red slice thing (some sweet candy thing).
After our meat course and prior to the dessert, we’re given the 3rd course: Brie of Meaux. I was too full to eat it so I only ate half, even it’s really good. The brie is much stronger than most of the brie I have in LA, in fact almost too strong for my taste. There’re also complimentary chocolate with the dessert. We still finished them even our stomach were burstingly full.
55 euro per person for all these top notch and creative dishes is a value in my mind, especially when it came with a really good bottle of wine (we chose white). At first we weren’t sure if it’s included and was kicking ourselves for not saying “a glass of white” when the server asked us if we wanted red or white. Both Freda and I aren’t big drinker so a bottle is a lot, but we did manage to finish it. We got drunk by the end of the meal as it complimented the food really well. And to our surprised when we saw the bill, there’s no extra charge for it! In fact our big bottle of evian water AND the aftermeal coffee + tea were also included! The value and the quality of food made this is one of the best, if not the best, dining experience we had in Paris.
La Table de Joel Robuchon (tel: 01 56 28 16 16)
16, av. Bugeaud, Paris, 75016
Metro: Victor Hugo
Tags: Cheese, Chocolate, Dessert, French, Haute Cuisine, Prix fixe
Japanese-French pastries in Paris! Patisserie Sadaharu Aoki located in a residential neighborhood. Half of the patisserie sells teas, Japanese-fusion jams and baked goods (ex: with yuzu, red beans, matcha, etc). Many of the cakes available are very colorful, fruity flavor. 
