Paris Restaurants: L’Oiseau Blanc Paris is exceptional

This restaurant in The Paris Peninsula Hotel, L’Oiseau Blanc is one of the best locations in Paris for a decadent romantic meal.

Perched on the sixth floor of The Peninsula Hotel Paris, this exquisite restaurant, L’Oiseau Blanc has some of the best views in Paris.

Anyone who is a fan of The Peninsula Hotels and has been to their flagship property in Hong Kong will recognise the similarities in the fit-out to the Helicopter launching pad waiting area in the Hong Kong property.

L’Oiseau Blanc is elegant, stylish, modern and innovative, and cleverly manages to remain intimate, with dining spaces that are not too big or overcrowded with tables.

There are curved walkways and ceilings,  lots of stainless steel, floors with lights akin to an aircraft aisle, and aeronautical photos and gear including small models of planes, as well as a plane spectacularly hanging outside a window.

The restaurant’s name means White Bird which was the name of a French bi-plane that disappeared attempting a non-stop flight to Paris from New York in 1927, a replica of it hangs outside the restaurant’s windows.

Seeing the Eiffel Tower through the windows blinking at night lit up by fairy lights is another highlight. It’s just stunning. There are 360 degree views.

This restaurant is full of surprises. Three small bites per person are brought out before entrees, and are beautifully crafted bite sized explosions of savoury tastes that look more like modern art – gorgeous with a glass of Champagne.

Chef Christophe Raoux is experimental with his food & the tasting menu is definitely a wise choice to try the breadth of his creativity, but we went with 3 courses.

The chicken foie gras was rich & tasty, and serves are not too big, but not ridiculously small as can sometimes be the case in Paris. Duck for my main meal was exceptionally cooked rose, and presented in a jus that was rich and tasty.

The chocolate dessert was a work of art, and presented on a plate half dusted with chocolate as a hard ball, with some hazelnuts around it, then a warm chocolate sauce was poured over it to crack the shell and reveal more soft chocolate inside.

I love petit fours, and these did not disappoint – three per person, and include macaroons – of course! and some plastic wrapped home made caramels were our favourite.

The wine list is sensational, and full of French delights.

The night we were there it was packed with internationals – you need to book, and the service is upmarket but warm and friendly.

A walk on The large Terrace, even in winter is a must, to really get a feel of the magnificence of the building.

The hotel itself was taken over by The Germans during the war & apparently made into a Nazi headquarters, and today it has the feeling of a building that has indeed lived many lives.

Dinner here is expensive, but it is one of life’s truly great experiences. Don’t miss it and take someone special.