Saturday, March 25, 2006

How do you get a table at L'atelier?

Friends are coming in town next week, and while I have a lineup of old favorites (l'epi dupin, le gallopin) and new ones to try (pré verre, le petit vatel), I was wondering if anyone out there could fill me in on L'Atelier by Joel Robuchon. It looks fabulous, and I would be delighted to try the tasting menu, but what the heck do you have to do to eat there? NO RESERVATIONS and I can't see the French lining up in the lobby (or being handed the blinking buzzer things we have back in the states). So if anyone has had the chance to eat there, or has any anecdotes on how to get a table, please please please leave a comment. I won't go on the weekend, and I'll try to get there early (even though I'll feel like my grandparents :/), but other than that, any tips?
Thanks! Oh, and other restaurant suggestions are welcome ;)

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4 comments:

Anonymous said...

L'Atelier is my canteen in Paris - the best restaurant in town. I can get you in.

Just shoot me some info about you so I safely recommend you and your friends.

Do you have a Linkedin profile? Or any other SN network?

Bona Fide

Anonymous said...

L'Atelier is my canteen in Paris - the best restaurant in town. I can get you in.

Just shoot me some info about you so I can safely recommend you and your friends.

Do you have a Linkedin profile? Or any other SN profile I can check?

Bona Fide

Anonymous said...

Re L'Atelier, you can reserve for 1830 sittings (certainly in the week), at least that was so a couple of weeks ago! They like to change things round a bit: previously you couldn't reserve at all, and had to show up and queue either for the 1830, or 2030 sitting. I think it's part of creating a buzz for this place, which probably has the best food in Paris (imho) at this price range. Have the asparagus foam thingy (asperges...) or the aubergine mille feuille!

Etienne said...

I guess for L'atelier, if push comes to shove, I'll have to go for the 18.30 service. But I HATE eating that early, regarless of the estimated length of meal, especially now with the time change!

I've been meaning to go to the Pré Verre for ages, I've passed by it a few times and have read about it here and there, and when I learned it was only 25€/menu I knew it was a winner! Maybe when I reserve I can request outdoors, assuming this pleasant weather continues?

Oh and for Le Petit Vatel I actually discovered it through the fooding guide - http://lefooding.com/guide.htm - I love this site because it lets you search with multiple criteria (budget/district/type/hours/etc), and also because you can see the true total of the meal.

Thanks to all for your helpful suggestions!