There exists a shining beacon of affordable luxury in Paris: L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Étoile.Nestled right in the heart of the Champs-Élysées, this Michelin-starred gem is proof you don’t need to remortgage your apartment to indulge in world-class French cuisine.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room – Michelin-starred dining is typically associated with sky-high prices and portions so tiny you’d swear you were at a tasting for invisible food. But L’Atelier has flipped that script.
Here, you can indulge in a full-on gastronomic lunch experience for just 52 euros at lunchtime. Yes, you read that right … 52. That’s less than what you’d pay for a dinner date at some mid-tier bistro, where the most memorable part of the meal is the bill. For that princely sum, your taste buds are treated to a four-course journey, starting with an amuse-bouche that’s almost too pretty to eat, but eat it you must.
if you don’t Robuchon will get out of his grave to spank you with a baguette.
Breaking down barriers
The entrée, main dish, dessert, and those delightful little mignardises (that’s fancy French for bite-sized treats) follow, each course more dazzling than the last. And did I mention the famous Joël Robuchon purée? The one that every single French citizen has heard about and copies at home? Yes, the one that’s so velvety smooth, it could be silk in potato form. And it’s served à volonté – meaning they’ll keep bringing it to you until you can’t possibly take another spoonful.
It’s comfort food, but not as you know it; imagine your mom’s mashed potatoes, but after they’ve been to culinary finishing school.
Here’s the recipe by the way, in case you can’t wait until you get to Paris to try some.
The restaurant’s concept is all about breaking down the barriers between chef and diner. You’re seated at a counter, sushi-bar style, where you can watch the culinary team work their magic right before your eyes. It’s an intimate, immersive experience that makes you feel like a VIP without needing a trust fund to back it up. Oh, and did I mention the Plexiglas baby-foot (foosball) table?
Because who says fine dining can’t be fun?
French legend
The mastermind behind this culinary theater was the legendary Joël Robuchon, (I spoke about him earlier, remember? Grave, baguette?) a man with so many Michelin stars he practically needed a separate trophy case. Though he’s no longer with us, his legacy is in the expert hands of Chef Éric Bouchenoire, who’s been part of the Robuchon brigade since 1985.
Together with his team, Chef Bouchenoire continues to uphold the meticulous standards and innovative spirit that made Robuchon a household name in the gastronomic world.
In a city where dinner can easily set you back a small fortune, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Étoile offers a taste of the high life at a price that won’t necessitate selling a kidney. Whether you’re a local looking for a lunchtime treat or a tourist wanting to dip your toe into Michelin-starred waters without drowning in debt, this is the place to be.
So, the next time you find yourself wandering down the Champs-Élysées, let the glittering lights guide you straight to L’Atelier. Go ahead, splurge a little – your taste buds will thank you, and your bank account will breathe a sigh of relief.
Bon appétit!
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Étoile
Address: Publicis Drugstore, 30 Rue Vernet, 75008 Paris, France Opening hours: Noon-3 p.m., 7 p.m.-11 p.m. every day, except from Thursdays where it opens from Noon-3 p.m. and 6 p.m.-11 p.m. Menu: click here Phone number: +33 1 47 23 75 75 Click here to book
Charlotte Laborie grew up in England, Belgium and Switzerland. Charlotte then moved to Paris and graduated from Sciences Po Paris. She is still based in Paris, where she works in marketing.
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