The Worst Restaurant in the World . . . is in Paris

Epicurean Exploits - Food and Recipes
21

On our second trip that year , in 1985 we did persuade one French couple/friends to go with us. (For us the dollar was still super; for them…the franc was…). They laughed their way through the meal, and were curious because of our raves from our visit earlier that year. But, they said it was ridiculous and would never go back. They also said they knew of reasonably-priced comparable places in Paris. Though they made some nice meals for us, they never took/showed us those places, if they existed. I think they might still laugh about L’Ami Louis…I know they did a few years ago. The others, as Wilfred says, declined. None of them had really ever heard of the place, in fact.

22

What I’m going to say will probably get me a lot of flak and portray me as the terminal snob. BUT

What the staff at Ami Luis does is the fantasy of what many proud restaurants would love to do with obnoxious, “foodie”, inappropriately wealthy clients/tourists. And unless you can enter such a restaurant without being singled out as a “foreigner” this applies to you.
While working at the Restaurant Troisgros, I fantasized about doing what takes place at this restaurant.

My own opinion is that this is one of the most remarkable cultural experiences in food, but this experience is not available to the types of people I described above. (don’t you get it, they really don’t want you there).

This is a remarkable social institution which serves a significant cultural/political role in France. I have seen this for myself, but this involves going with the kind of person that this restaurant is intended for.

23

Philip,

Obnoxious I understand. But what do you mean by “inappropriately wealthy”? And why is being a “foodie” deserving of punishment?

I have had only positive experiences at L’Ami Louis - experiences which, according to your post, I shouldn’t have had since I am readily identifiable as a “foreigner.”

TIA,
Bob

24

Interesting concept. I’ve had one lunch at l’AL which I enjoyed (but didn’t have to pay for). I loved the potato galette.

I don’t have any trouble find a number of restaurants in France and throughout Paris that treat me just fine. I guess I’ll give the others my $$$ in April.

25

Same here…the treatment was fine…and I never regretted any visit there…though I doubt I’ll ever go back, at this point…of course, if someone said they’d treat me there…it might be one of the places I’d head pretty readily. Serious comment. I just think it’s such a poor value, that I doubt I’d go and pay again, but…I have nothing but good memories of the visits and the food…except for that “wild duck” that was leaner than a racehorse…and had less meat.

26

Should have ordered the entrecôte de cheval…

27

how was it?


like [snort.gif] ? or chicken?

28

In France, everything “tastes like veal.” Cuisse de grenouille? Tastes like veal. Etc. Or so I’ve been told.

29

You are absolutely right on that!

I loved Gill’s article - absolutely hilarious. I have been trying to get my wife to go there for years; she read the article before me- I have not even the slightest possibility of ever dragging her there now.

30

I guess she’s not that curious? The article would make me want to check it out, had I not been before.

I like to see for myself, especially if someone else (ie, you) are willing to pay the formidable freight in this case.

So many people think it is the ultimate mecca …for their tastes…that one article would make me more curious than make me decline to go there.

31

In the same mean-spirited way that Ann Coulter can be hilarious…

32

I hate her also.

33

I hated the restaurant. Portions were huge, quality was mediocre, wine list was ludicrous, the wait staff arrogant, no, it was more smug (except when Billy Joel arrived- then it became fawning and obsequious). And just to cap it, the bill was within a couple of euros of the amount we paid atTaillevent, with a bottle of Coche Mersault thrown in. The $100 chicken is still a family joke.

34

If I’m going to pay 2 and 3 star pricing I’m going to be going to a 2 or 3 star restaurant.

35

Maybe they should serve a rubberized version [wink.gif] !

36

I recently had the chicken at 11 MAD. It made this seemed almost rubbery by comparison.

37

They didn’t fawn over you, Mark? [shock.gif] [swoon.gif]

38

Sorry to say some of my worst meals ever have been in Paris. Best meal I ever had in Paris was actually Lebanese.

39

It would seem that the only thing this place has to recommend it is that there is nothing to recommend, at a very high price. Why people want to go there is beyond me. Guess I’m missing something…

40

Abood must be thrilled…