…the concept of a “Restaurant week” has JUST made an appearance. This year for the first time chefs of more than 800 restaurants in France, including 200 restaurants in the Paris region alone, have joined forces to host “Tous au Restaurant” and share their passion for great cuisine.
From June 7 to 13, diners all over l’Hexagone are enjoying a gourmet lunch for 20,10 euros (you have to wonder where they got the ,10 euros?!) or 35 euros for dinner. Included are three courses: the ENTREE + PLAT + DESSERT (starter + main dish + dessert). From bistrots to regional restaurants to grand temples of cuisine, all types of eating establishments are participating in this effort to showcase French cuisine at its finest.
Inspired by the success of “Restaurant Week” in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, London, and other countries, Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse organized this year’s restaurant fête through his company Alain Ducasse Entreprise. Most, if not all, of his restaurants are included in the operation including Benoit, Spoon, Aux Lyonnais, Le Relais du Parc, Le Relais Plaza, and La Bastide de Moustiers. Additional crème de la crème chefs include Guy Savoy, Hélène Darroze, Anne-Sophie Pic, Joël Robuchon, Pierre Gagnaire, Paul Bocuse, and others.
I find myself wondering why “Restaurant Week” has not appeared in France until now. Perhaps the reason is that every week is in effect ‘restaurant week’ in this country where food and wine are almost a religion. But making such an idea official and offering attractive prices is certainly a creative idea, especially during these slow economic times. And if anyone has the ability to pull his confrères together to make such an event happen, Monsieur Ducasse certainly does.
This week, I have perused the “Tous au Restaurant” web site several times to choose the restaurants where I would dine if I were in France right now and found some interesting possibilities. I am curious what our wonderful French Affaires readers would choose and why. To that end, let’s encourage everyone to check out the “Tous au Restaurant” web site and make their selections:
Then let us know which restaurant(s) you would most like to visit and why in the comment section for this article. There will be a prize for the most creative entry submitted by Thursday, June 17th—a set of signed French Affaires notecards with original photos of Paris…perfect for speical correspondence or for framing!
And if there is anyone in the FA community who is in France right now and dining at some of the French restaurant week establishments, be sure and let us all know.
On another note…
Thank you, dear FA readers, for your participation and for your support of a little bit of France in the U.S. We’ll be back to our regular weekly posting schedule next week. Stay tuned for more interesting cultural, language and travel entries about one of the most beautiful places on earth—France!
Our new signed French Affaires notecards with original photos of France will soon be available on the French Affaires web site. The photo series will include the:
Best of Paris, Sacred Paris, Musée d’Orsay Paris, Paris Fleurs, French Markets, Best of Provence, Sacred Provence, Provence Markets…and more.
We’ll also post wonderful French antique and objet d’art finds from our French travels and séjours (stays) as they come available. Check www.frenchaffaires.com soon as we share more of the best of France.
