Paris - Day 2 - Part 2 - Michelin Star Experience

The La Sainte-Chapelle interior looks amazing from Wiki.So we made a trip to visit it. This place has been the passed down through different dynasties of France. This place is also known to have relics of Christ. This chapel has 2 levels, the upper and the lower. We duly paid the entrance fee of €9.50 expecting the oldest and finest stained glass and maybe a sunny day instead of a wet day.

At the Palais de Justice de Paris.

Gone through a brief check on the bags, we proceed towards the entrance.

At the entrance of the chapel.

At the lower level of the chapel. Very old chapel.

Statue of Louis IX at the lower level of the chapel. Notice the stained glass.

The gothic architecture and the worn paints.

We then took to stairs and head up to the upper level.

Parts of the chapel is under restoration. It is very dark, makes photography a struggle.

Look at the amazing stained glass at the back.

The other end of the chapel with lots of stained glass.

Another view of the stained glass.

The building is definitely very high and yet with the number of stained glass, the light is insufficient. We then went down to the lower level.

 Stained glass at the lower level of the Holy Chapel.

Souvenir shop selling antique map.

The La Sainte Chapelle is quite small, poorly lighted and undergoing restoration, we felt it is not quite worth the money paid for. Maybe the Notre dame is a better choice.

 Palais de Justice de Paris front facade.

Wet streets of Paris, is this a nice feel ?

Crossing the river from the island to Rue Saint-Martin at Pont d'Arcole.

Wet day at Paris.

Cute shop at the islands, albeit a wet day.

It's already around 11:00am and it is still raining, it is going to be a wet day today. So we headed to our next destination and with the wet weather, both of us quite hungry. About few weeks prior to the our travel, a booking was made to Benoit for lunch reservation. Benoit is rated as Michelin guide 1 star restaurant. 

Definition of Michelin stars:

Michelin 3 stars means 'Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey' with lunch typically ranges from €120 to €180 without wine per person. Michelin 2 stars means 'Excellent cooking, worth a detour' with lunch ranges from €60 to €120 per person. And finally, the Michelin 1 star means 'Very good cooking in its category' with lunch ranges from €30 to €60. The price quote are without wine, and of course, the dinner will costs you much more. As of 2012, for Paris, there are a number of 50 restaurants with Michelin 1 star. If one is in Paris, a visit to the Michelin starred is a must, this is to experience the fine dining experience.

And after some 20 minutes of walking, we finally reached Benoit.However, we were too early and Benoit doesn't open until noon.

Benoit, French fine dining.

But our tummies are rumbling, we 'lepak' a while and decided to have a quick snack at the boulangerie some 30 meters away.

Still raining, an umbrella is a must, Boulangerie Julien for quick snack.

Ready for lunch but then a rainy day, early breakfast and long walks, time for a snack, yummy.

What should I have ?

Look at the cakes, but it is lunch time, cannot indulge too much, a nice lunch waiting.

What is a boulangerie without the baguettes ? So much to choose from.

Such a nice pastry. Artistic shot.

After having a quick snack and it is still not noon yet, we decided to survey a bit of the surroundings.

Further down Rue Saint-Martin road.

Wet cobblestone walkway.

Gloomy weather, hopefully the lunch is better.

Some restaurant start pretty early with glasses, napkins laid.

We were on our back to Benoit and still the restaurant is not yet open. It is noon time now.

Restaurant workers waiting to start work, some having a puff.

What's on the menu today ?

Are they famous for rabbit meat ? Benoit is famous for traditional french cuisine. Currently owned by Alain Ducasse, he has a chain of famous restaurants around the world. After some 15 minutes of waiting, we were finally let in.

Benoit, 20 Rue Saint Martin, Paris

After we were let in, we saw the lunch set menu.

The other side of the restaurant.

A experienced waiter came and duly translated the menu for us, which is quite good of him. We order the set menu with an appetizer, main course and dessert for €36.00 per person.

Our table with cloth and items neatly arranged, probably this differentiates with non Michelin star restaurant.

The waiters or waitresses are very formally dressed and everything from the utensils, plates to the serving notes are very neatly arranged. They also move with finesse, swift and silent. The head waiter seems to be always whispering order and instructions to be waiters and waitresses.

The plates nicely arranged, super awesome plates they have.

Luckily I got a shot of the plates, it was removed not long after this shot and the waiter re-arranged the utensils, we also added escargots for tasting, both of us in pondering whether we will have food poisoning after the meal. Being in Paris, we must give it a try !

First to be served, some soup with subtle taste. So the awesome plates made way for this. The waiter arranged the soup in such a way the 'Benoit' letters are facing me, but obscured by the bowl. Very meticulous.

Then came this, Oeuf mollet et jambon de pays garniture d'une piperade ( Boiled egg and ham with red pepper sauce).

For the madame, Tomates farcies fagon lucien tendret (stuffed tomatoes way of Lucien Tendret)

Who the heck is Lucien Tendret ?

Lucien Tendret is a lawyer and more importantly, the great nephew of Brillat Savarin. I remembered this name in Iron Chef, his quote 'Tell me what you eat, I will tell you what you are'

Followed by the side order:

9 escargots en coquille, beurre d'ail, fines herbes ( 9 escargots with garlic butter and herbs), for €19.00

Special tools needed to eat the escargots. A clamp to hold it steady and a small fork to get the snail out.

The snail is out, rather gross looking, but tasted nice with the mild garlic butter and herbs sauce.

A short detour and we are back to the main course:

blanquette de veau a l'ancienne (veal stew slowly cooked). The veal meat is so tender, it just tears away when you use the fork.

with pillaf rice.

And for the madame, troncon de merlu poele, subergines fondates, sucs de ouisson ( Hake fish slice, a type of cod fish, with melting eggplant served with sauce)

After the main course, I am pretty full and I didn't expect this to come.

Savarin a l'armagnac creme fouettee ( 2 big slices of yeast cake 'submerged' in Armagnac brandy with vanilla flavoured whipped cream)

For the madame, assortiment de tartes au chocolat our aux fruits de saison (assortment of chocolate pies and seasonal fruit)

Overall, the food portion is pretty good, quality is top notch and the taste is exquisite. The side dish of escargots is also surprisingly good, the taste is very subtle. If you happen to drop by Paris, be sure to make a visit to a Michelin star restaurant to enjoy the dining experience. It takes 2- 3 hours for the dining experience, so do enjoy it.

Here is the card should you want to contact them, Benoit is serving the 100th year tasting menu for €100 per person, the table next to ours sampled the tasting menu.

 To the loo after a long lunch.

More tit-bits after we asked for the bill.

Now you see it, now you don't, shortly after the serving.

Hmm .. we are really full.

Time to walk and burn away the calories. For €36 per person, the set lunch is not too expensive and you get to eat in a good restaurant. For this price, the service, quality, food portion and taste are definitely better than some of the high end restaurant in Malaysia.