Lasserre - Gastronomic Restaurant - Rating 4.5

Just a stone’s throw from the Champs-Élysées, this Directoire-style hôtel particulier is an iconic landmark. It also houses Lasserre, a Michelin-starred Parisian restaurant located at 17, avenue Franklin-D.-Roosevelt, on one side of the Golden Triangle in the Champs-Élysées district, in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. The establishment was founded by René Lasserre in 1942. He acquired an old barracks where fries and beer were sold during the 1937 World’s Fair and transformed it into a restaurant. René Lasserre (who passed away in 2006), who came to Paris as a teenager to learn the trade, turned his restaurant into a symbol. For over 80 years, the dining room has boasted luxurious decor: columns, orchid and greenery planters, silverware and trinkets, crystal chandeliers, and Chinese porcelain… Another element that adds to the magic of the place is the famous skylight that bathes the tables in seasonal light. To stand out from the competition, René Lasserre hosted gala dinners during which doves were released, each carrying a numbered tag on its leg corresponding to prestigious prizes. Guests left with the gift matching the dove that landed at their table. Chef Jean-Louis Nomicos elevates tradition with his own personal touch: stuffed macaroni, black truffle, celery, and light gratin of duck foie gras; squab à la André Malraux style with petits pois à la française; and souffléed chocolate tart made with grand cru chocolate…