No trip to Paris is complete without an incredible meal overlooking the Eiffel Tower, and the L’Oiseau Blanc Restaurant is the perfect spot both for your eyes and tastebuds. Located on the top of the exquisite Peninsula Hotel, the L’Oiseau Blanc contains a beautiful restaurant, bar and terrace. From the moment you step off the elevator on the 8th floor, you can tell you are in for a unique experience. The entire restaurant is designed around an aviation theme, complete with a full scale airplane hanging over the outside terrace!
Dedicated in honour of Charles Nungesser and François Coli, who attempted to cross the Atlantic in 1927 from Le Bourget, the restaurant is filled with artifacts from the early days of French aviation. No detail is spared, from the spotlights that line the entrance pathway to the bathrooms which look like they were taken straight from a 1920’s luxury aircraft.
The main dining area is enclosed in windows offering panoramic views over Paris, including one of the best views of the Eiffel Tower I have seen. One insider tip is to make your reservation a little earlier than normal by Parisian standards – around 8:30 or 9pm. This allows you to get to the restaurant a little early to enjoy a drink at the bar while watching the sunset, and then have your meal at 10pm when the Eiffel Tower erupts in a sea of sparkling lights. This is guaranteed to impress any special someone you might be having a romantic dinner with!
The quality of the food and wine is equally as impressive as the views. The “bistronomique” menu changes everyday and is created by Chef Sidney Redel depending on the freshest ingredients. My favourite dishes were the Bluefin Tuna Tartar, Pan Fried Cabineros, and the Roasted Lamb. Of course, desserts in Paris are often the main event and we enjoyed L’Envol and the Peach. L’Envol is a delicious chocolate biscuit with raspberries and sorbet, giving another nod to the aviation theme with a gingersnap propeller placed on top.
I would also strongly recommend taking advantage of the incredibly knowledgeable on-site sommeliers for their recommendations on wine pairings. They introduced me to some amazing wines customised for each dish that I typically may not have ordered.
~ Our Menu and Wine Pairings ~
Starter
Duck Fois Gras, paired with Tokaji Chateau Sarospatak 2011
Chicken Ravioli, paired with Clos Venturi Vin de Corse 2014
Pan Fried Carabineros, paired with Chenin Blanc, Lieu Dit Santa Ynez Valley 2013
Bluefin Tuna Tartar, paired with Chenin Blanc, Lieu Dit Santa Ynez Valley 2013
Main Course
Grilled Lamb, paired with Cadillac Cote De Bordeaux Chateau Biac 2012
Desserts
L’Envol (chocolate biscuit with custard and sorbet), paired with Commandaria Saint Barnabas
Peach (roasted and flavoured with verbana, iced strawberry), paired with Banyuls Blanc Coume del Mas
The delicious food, stunning city views, and incredible staff all combine to make the L’Oiseau Blanc one of the best dining experiences in Paris and I highly recommend you make a reservation next time you are in the City of Light!
L’Oiseau Blanc, The Peninsula, 19 Avenue Kléber, 75116 Paris, France, Tel +33 1 58 12 67 30
We hope that this article has inspired you to visit L’Oiseau Blanc. I was welcomed as a guest by The Pensinsula for dinner at L’Oiseau Blanc. As always all opinions expressed are my own. If you have any questions please leave these in the comments below!
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We Are Travel Girls Founder Becky van Dijk of BeckyvanDijk.com
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