In literary circles, the name of Drouant immediately evokes the image of the prestigious Prix Goncourt, the coveted book award chosen annually by a jury of renowned writers in one of the famous private dining rooms of the Drouant restaurant, located on the place Gaillon in Paris.

Today, the Michelin starred Alsacien chef Antoine Westermann is at the helm of the kitchen. Almost a decade ago, he left his 3-starred Michelin restaurant “Le Buerehiesel” in Strasbourg, to the direction of his son, and established a bistro restaurant, Mon Vieil Ami, on the Ile St. Louis, which is puts garden fresh vegetables at the forefront of its seasonal menu.

After taking over the direction of Drouant in 2006, he also recently opened another bistro in Montmartre which is dedicated to chicken, Le Coq Rico. However, at Drouant, a classic restaurant dating from 1880, and today, a 1924 Art Deco Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann designed institution, with a staircase that is out of a Hollywood movie, Westermann has created a classic but very modern menu.

At first it is bewildering. For the first course, you have a choice of 4 vegetables, 4 fish, 4 “classics”, 4 “corners of the earth”, or 4 “raw and cooked”! Yes, four of each – not a choice of one of the four! All are four small portions that add up to one extremely good starter. The entrees that follow are divided into: meat and chicken, fish and shellfish, or “our” Grand Classics, and are accompanied by a small casserole of a choice of vegetables (you choose one) or a “classic” such as a famous gratin of macaroni or homemade French fries.

If all this was not a hurdle, the desserts are equally daunting as each is a medley of 4 variations on a theme: 4 chocolates, 4 ice cream and sorbets, 4 “Great Classics”, “4 Fruits”, or “Around a Fruit of the Season”. In fact, choosing from these myriad choices is a lot of fun, and the results are simply delicious.

After dinner, or before, go up the gorgeous staircase where the private dining rooms are located, and take a look at the black and white photos of literary celebrities who have passed through the hallowed halls of Drouant. You are in a mythic place which today is presided over by a very talented chef.

16-18 place Gaillon, 75002 Paris
Telephone: 33.1.42.65.15.16