While enjoying the magic of Paris, I made advanced reservations for a meal at La Tour d`Argent for us and another couple, dear friends of ours also from the US. I visited the restaurant many years ago to scope it out and knew this was a must do, but circumstances seem to prevail to delay the inevitable up until this opportunity.
Greeted outside on the street, we were escorted by the doorman wearing a dapper tuxedo and top hat through the lobby and elegant expansive seating area to the elevator where we again were greeted by a similar dressed operator sans the hat who graciously took us to the top floor whereupon we entered the dining area to be warmly welcomed by name and guided to our perfectly situated window table. We immediately noticed the magnificent views of Paris including many of the renown landmarks such as the Sacre Coeur and Eiffel Tower in the distance and Notre Dame and the Seine River in the forefront. It was reminiscent of being in Vegas or Disney Land only this was the real McCoy these other places emulated.
The restaurant dining room itself is magnificent. Lavished with ornate on top of ornate, it exemplifies the epitome of class and luxury. The wine list is as impressive as any Ive seen and is the size and weight of 2-3 New York City phone books. Its housed in a cart on wheels and is an upper body workout just to hold it up while perusing through. Since I perused it for a long time, I left a little more buffed out many hours later.
I knew of their renown head sommelier, David Ridgway and expected he would surround himself with other top notch somms which indeed is what we experienced. With the help of a very capable, cordial young lady, we scored some winners. I knew I wanted Champagne and red Burgundy and the marvelous 1990 vintage was well represented so I hung out in that portion on the list and with her aid, came up with some stellar cellar selections.
Considering the complete package of the restaurant dining room, vistas, menu options and versatility, wine list and service, the WOW factor just went off the chart.
Along with our individually selected exquisite 4 courses, we paired the following wines:
NV LA TOUR d`ARGENT GRAND CRU BRUT- [2 bottles]; having had this at their sister restaurant, La Rotisserie du Beaujolais, a few nights earlier and in the past, I knew the pleasure forthcoming; this was simply delightful, so much so, we had another bottle; it had really nice acidity with wonderful slightly spicy citrus notes that jumped out early on and continued throughout; there was bit of saline and a hint of white pepper adding just the right touch to compliment the more lemon lime flavor; this is a special blend that has been made for them for over 40 years by the Barbier family and these bottles had a base wine from the wonderful 2008 vintage and was disgorged in 2012 and then retained in their cellars for 6 months before serving.
1990 DOMAINE des LAMBRAYS MOREY ST. DENIS 1er CRU- [2 bottles]; a 1er Cru of Grand Cru stature; outstanding wine; seamless, beautifully balanced, complex with still very viable fruitiness, silky smooth in texture and incredible structure; it was showing so extremely well, so much so, we had another bottle and our joy continued with no bottle variation; as with the Champagne, it was served in appropriate Riedel Vinum stems with the restaurant`s logo shield imprinted on it exuding more class and elegance just like the wine and everything else relative to this experience.
2000 DOMAINE MEO-CAMUZET VOSNE-ROMANEE- another winner rec from the somm; a village wine drinking 1er Cru quality or better; very nice fruit forward notes of red and black cherry, nicely spiced and gaining momentum in the glass; full bodied and soft tannins prevailed as did the smiles on our faces; it was a perfect encore after the Lambrays and married beautifully with the dessert courses.
Over the past few decades, Ive attempted to explore many of the finer, higher Michelin rated restaurants and some of the top brasseries and bistros and found some incredible winners. This was such a consummate dining experience, that I will look forward to replicating it every time Im in Paris from now on.
A votre sante,
Blake
