Mini-Palais: a gourmet experience in a museum
After a few seasons under the direction of Gilles Choukroun and 18 months of work, it is up to Eric Fréchon to sign the new menu of the Mini-Palais. Result? Mini price for maxi Palace!
For the connoisseur
It's official: it’s possible to be a museum restaurant, open every day, but with a menu signed by a triple star chef, attracting all the beautiful people of the Golden Triangle and yet maintain a more than reasonable price level for a gourmet cuisine! In one of the wings of the Grand Palais, the Mini Palais raised from its ashes this winter. Exit gigantic, rather gloomy architecture from the Choukroun era, the Mini Palais returns with a more modern user-friendly design. Certainly the abyssal heights under ceilings are still in place but now in a 2010 style with wood, black marble, metallic structures and plaster statues, a taupe teint colours for the walls contrasting with oatmeal tone cushions. A chic and cosy atmosphere, just like it should be!
What’s on the menu?
With Eric Fréchon presiding and his disciple from Le Bristol, Stéphane d'Aboville, in command of a variety of skilled craftsmen (Jean-Yves Bordier for his unequalled butter, Philippe Camdeborde for his traditional delicatessen counter, Frédéric Lalos for his leavened bread, Claude Raffin for line caught fish), we were right to expect some feats, or at least good gastronomic surprises. And the least we can say is that we were not disappointed! For an average of 45 € (and a lunch menu at 28 €), the Mini-Palais features an inventive menu, flirting with the Italian cuisine as well as French classics. Clafoutis of slightly smoked Corrèze mushrooms alongside exquisite snails accompanied by an almond butter cherry tomatoes gratin and a burger from duck breast and foie gras with truffle sauce. As for the desserts you will be tempted to try a giant Baba au Rhum with a mild vanilla sauce, or a chocolate Sabayon with hazelnuts, vanilla ice cream and spiced caramel. Delicious and stylish and moreover opened the whole day for a snack or tea-time between lunch and dinner, the Mini Palais is an address to try, even with your eyes closed!
It's official: it’s possible to be a museum restaurant, open every day, but with a menu signed by a triple star chef, attracting all the beautiful people of the Golden Triangle and yet maintain a more than reasonable price level for a gourmet cuisine! In one of the wings of the Grand Palais, the Mini Palais raised from its ashes this winter. Exit gigantic, rather gloomy architecture from the Choukroun era, the Mini Palais returns with a more modern user-friendly design. Certainly the abyssal heights under ceilings are still in place but now in a 2010 style with wood, black marble, metallic structures and plaster statues, a taupe teint colours for the walls contrasting with oatmeal tone cushions. A chic and cosy atmosphere, just like it should be!
What’s on the menu?
With Eric Fréchon presiding and his disciple from Le Bristol, Stéphane d'Aboville, in command of a variety of skilled craftsmen (Jean-Yves Bordier for his unequalled butter, Philippe Camdeborde for his traditional delicatessen counter, Frédéric Lalos for his leavened bread, Claude Raffin for line caught fish), we were right to expect some feats, or at least good gastronomic surprises. And the least we can say is that we were not disappointed! For an average of 45 € (and a lunch menu at 28 €), the Mini-Palais features an inventive menu, flirting with the Italian cuisine as well as French classics. Clafoutis of slightly smoked Corrèze mushrooms alongside exquisite snails accompanied by an almond butter cherry tomatoes gratin and a burger from duck breast and foie gras with truffle sauce. As for the desserts you will be tempted to try a giant Baba au Rhum with a mild vanilla sauce, or a chocolate Sabayon with hazelnuts, vanilla ice cream and spiced caramel. Delicious and stylish and moreover opened the whole day for a snack or tea-time between lunch and dinner, the Mini Palais is an address to try, even with your eyes closed!
Décembre 2010
By Katya PELLEGRINO
