Restaurants, a defining feature of urban dining around the world today, remained a uniquely Parisian phenomenon until the late nineteenth century. Over the course of a sumptuous lunch in the classic French tradition and enjoyed in a landmark Neoclassical setting, this event will trace the emergence, evolution and influence of the restaurant. During a postprandial a walk through historic Saint-Germain-des-Prés, we will also explore the development of cafés and brasseries, as well as the ingredients that provide the underpinning for the cuisine served at these establishments.
The event will begin with a three-course lunch at Lapérouse, founded in 1766. This beautiful example of an original restaurant still enjoys a reputation for fine French food. After touring the bar, dining room, and renowned private rooms — all decorated with period painted panels, etched glass windows and chandeliers — we will retreat into one of the salons particuliers for the rare opportunity to dine privately,
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Restaurants, a defining feature of urban dining around the world today, remained a uniquely Parisian phenomenon until the late nineteenth century. Over the course of a sumptuous lunch in the classic French tradition and enjoyed in a landmark Neoclassical setting, this event will trace the emergence, evolution and influence of the restaurant. During a postprandial a walk through historic Saint-Germain-des-Prés, we will also explore the development of cafés and brasseries, as well as the ingredients that provide the underpinning for the cuisine served at these establishments.
The event will begin with a three-course lunch at Lapérouse, founded in 1766. This beautiful example of an original restaurant still enjoys a reputation for fine French food. After touring the bar, dining room, and renowned private rooms — all decorated with period painted panels, etched glass windows and chandeliers — we will retreat into one of the salons particuliers for the rare opportunity to dine privately, in authentic, late- 18th century style. Over an apperitif, appetizer, entree and dessert accompanied by matching wines, participants will learn how Lapérouse and other early restaurants came into being. Colorful anecdotes about the venue and its famous patrons, who include Dumas, Zola, Flaubert and Proust, will be recounted.Young will also detail the origins of each dish on the seasonally changing menu.
After lunch, we will stroll through the Left Bank environs nearby. Passing by Guy Savoy's Les Bouquinistes on the next corner, we will consider how the ‘restaurant' has evolved in the contemporary era of the celebrity chef. At Le Procope, founded in 1689 and a favorite watering hole of Voltaire, Rousseau and Diderot, we will discuss the introduction of coffee and the establishments created to serve this New World beverage.
As time allows, we will explore nearby food shops — a bakery in the elite guild of compagnons, a prize-winning boudin blanc producer, a premier fromager, a vegetable market, a purveyor of Auvergnat specialties, a boutique wine shop; and a leading sweets producer — to discuss the quality ingredients, which provide the foundation for classic French cuisine.
Proceeding to the Brasserie Lipp, founded in 1880, we will examine how the nineteenth-century innovation of the ‘brasserie' incorporated elements of the tavern, the restaurant and the café into a unique form of its own. We conclude with a visit to the perennially fashionable and fiercely competitive cafes of Saint-Germain-des-Prés: Café de Flore and Café des Deux Magots. Each of which claims to be the authentic ‘birthplace' of twentieth-century French literary, philosophical, and artistic movements, from Surrealism to Existentialism.
Note: With your order you will be charged in advance 90 euros for the cost of your lunch at Lapérouse, please leave this in your cart when checking out he base price of this walk includes one person's meal.
"My granddaughter and I had an extraordinary lunch. The restaurant experience was fun and informative; Carolin is so knowledgeable. The food and wines were delicious. This tour was not your typical tourist experience It was on a whole different level. Many thanks, [a Context client]
