Splurge at Restaurant Guy Savoy During the Summer Olympics
While all eyes are on Paris and the Summer Olympic Games, television news cameras will be trained on venues near the Seine River in the heart of the city. In the midst of the action on the Left Bank quai (river bank) facing Notre Dame is the large domed La Monnaie de Paris building. The Monnaie (“money” in English) is historically where French coins were minted for centuries. It now houses a fascinating museum on currency and offers a timely exhibit, Gold, Silver, Bronze—A History of the Olympic Medal.
Also in La Monnaie de Paris is another French treasure—Restaurant Guy Savoy, a temple to haute gastronomy. If budget permits, and you can snag a table, this will qualify as one of your Top Ten Parisian Experiences. Since he opened his first Paris restaurant in 1980, Savoy has set the standard for an immersive, mouth-watering, mind-boggling dining experience.
In the spring, I had the good fortune to partake in a sublime lunch there with a good friend who worked in the champagne business. We’d both known Guy for decades and were looking forward to a memorable afternoon. We were not disappointed. Our meal began when a server rolled over a trolley displaying a half-dozen bottles of different French champagnes and asked if we’d like to choose one to enjoy as an aperitif. My answer, “Oui, bien sur.”
From the first sip of champagne to the last bite of dessert, the experience was transporting—excellent attentive service, luxurious surroundings with world-class art on the walls, a close-up view of the Seine River from the large window adjacent our table, and an unforgettable meal.
There are prix-fixe options with many courses, but we chose to order à la carte. I asked for a written record of my meal, which was presented typewritten in a beautiful artistic folded card.
Champagne Pierre Paillard, “Les Terres Roses” Bouzy Grand-Cru
Chablis Premier Cru, “Beauroy” 2018, Maison des Hâtes
Soupe d’artichaut à la truffe noire, brioche feuilletée aux champignons et truffes
Poêlée de moules et mousserons, jus “terre et mer”
Saint-Pierre étuvé, coquillages et saveurs d’embruns
Purement chocolat comme une tarte
Chef Savoy describes his philosophy: “For me, the most important thing is the taste…the respect of the product in its originality…to bring your own sensitivity, your heart, to bring out all that makes the uniqueness of each chef. Cooking is magical; it has been 50 years since I started in this profession. I am still amazed by the magic of transformation.”
The video (above) allows you to experience the atmosphere of Restaurant Guy Savoy and view the action in the kitchen up close. Enjoy
During the Paris Summer Olympics, Restaurant Guy Savoy will be open for lunch and dinner, from July 27th through August 10th, Monday to Saturday,
A special lunch menu, “Ne cherchez pas” from Noon to 2 PM, offers Seven Courses for 260 euros (with four glasses of wine, it’s 335 euros). Either way, a great price.
Restaurant Guy Savoy: https://www.guysavoy.com/en
CAROLINE O’CONNELL is a travel writer and author of Every Woman’s Guide to Romance in Paris (Square One Publishing). Her next book, AFFORDABLE PARIS HOTELS, is due out in January 2025.
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