L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon (Paris) - Q

After many days of unsuccessful attempts, I finally found a place that I can give a Q to! For dinner tonight I went to L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon (5, rue Montalembert; 7th arrondissement), which has been highly recommended by multiply sources (also 1-star in the Michelin Guide). L'Atelier is known to be the more "casual" restaurant of renowned chef Joël Robuchon (versus La Table de Joël Robuchon) and is set up almost like a diner counter (albeit a very high-end one). The staff is very attentive as well as attractive. My waiter was probably the best-looking guy I've seen in Paris, but then later I found out that he is actually from Milan. I asked to take a picture of him but he said no (he is the third guy who has turned me down for a picture - I didn't think Parisian men were so shy!) The clientele was definitely upscale, with an even mix of locals and tourists. It was mostly couples, but the counter setup is very conducive to striking up a conversation with your neighbors and everyone is very friendly. Who you sit next to can be hit or miss, but just the good-looking staff alone deserves a Q!

As for food, L'Atelier serves up delicious tapas-style dishes, so you can easily gobble up/taste 4-5 plates. I decided to go for their tasting-menu which is 6 smaller-portioned plates plus 2 desserts for 110 euros. I started off with "Le Crabe Royal," which was crab covered in daikon "ravioli" style - it was nicely flavored with a hint of spice. Next I had an "asparagus cappuccino." Normally I don't even like asparagus but the cappuccino was very light and refreshing. The next small plate was foie gras - you can never go wrong with foie gras. This was followed by "l'oeuf de poule," which I wasn't quite sure what it was but I think it was eggs mixed with spinach. It was another light-tasting and refreshing dish. The fish course is next, with a filet of Saint-Pierre, and the final savory course ware mini lamb chops. The lamb chops were the most tender I've ever had and it was so tasty that you want to suck on the bones (if people didn't sit so close to me!) They were also the smallest lamb chops I've ever had, but fortunately I was already pretty full by then. The meal was topped off with two desserts, one a lighter fruit/ice cream combo and a souffle. L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon has certainly lived up to its reputation as one of the top restaurants in Paris - superb food, unpretentious environment, and attentive (and attractive) staff!