Bonjour Barbot

Considered to be one of the ’50 best’ restaurants in the world for 8 consecutive years, L’Astrance has been a hidden gem in a posh Paris neighborhood across the river from the Eiffel Tower since 2000. Co-owned by chef Pascal Barbot and restaurant manager Christophe Rohat- both alums of L’Arpege in Paris and considered disciples of mega-chef Alain Passard- the elegant, luxe and diminutive restaurant offers tailor made fusion French cooking and is one of the trickiest restaurants to secure a booking- be prepared for a two month wait. Barbot’s 25-seat boîte is only open 4 days a week- Tuesday through Friday- and was named after a wildflower indigenous to his native Auvergne.

The grounded, innovative, French and global cuisine earned L’Astrance its third Michelin star in 2007 when Barbot was just 34- they were awarded their first star within just 5 months of opening- and his contemporary cooking style is mirrored by an equally modern dining room. Barbot broke the mold on tradition by offering no menu, therefore diners choose the number of courses desired and he will whip up whimsical dishes with international influences- from his time in the South Pacific where it was too hot to cook with cream and butter- using the season’s best ingredients. The restaurant also offers three surprise multiple-course tasting menus and it is Barbot’s etherial quality of cooking that has prompted his renowned colleagues to tout him as the future of French cooking. Let him reign… www.astrancerestarant.com