Paris boasts thousands of exceptional restaurants, from the humble corner café to the 3-star Michelins. Food is a kind of art for the French and Paris showcases these consumable masterpieces like no other place. Of course, the house wine list is a particularly essential part of the show!
We’re frequently asked to recommend restaurants in Paris with great wine lists. And the answer is easy: La Tour d’Argent. One of the most revered properties in Paris, La Tour d’Argent (meaning Silver Tower) is located just across the Seine River from Notre Dame. There are a number of elements that make the place truly remarkable.
The oldest restaurant in Paris, La Tour d’Argent opened in 1582. Photo by Marla Norman.
In 1582, the first incarnation of La Tour d’Argent opened as an inn. Kings and princes frequented the site, because it was one of the few safe places available to dine out. The tower is located on the river, very near the king’s palace (which today is the Louvre Museum). Royalty could make a quick retreat if unsavory guests arrived. Tough eating out back then!
Later, as things became a bit more civilized in the late 1500’s. Henry IV introduced the first fork at the restaurant. Only a few Italian establishments made use of the utensil at the time. Henry was so enamored of his fork, he wore it around his neck. In the 18th century, The Duke of Richelieu, nephew to the notorious Cardinal, hosted a dinner at La Tour d’Argent for 40 guests. The menu featured beef cooked 30 different ways. And another first, small cups for coffee to finish off the meal.
Perhaps one of the most memorable dinners was served in 1867, when four Emperors were seated at the same table: Alexander II, Czar of of Russia; the Czarevitch, Alexander III; William I King of Prussia; and Prince Otto Von Bismarck of Germany. For this illustrious dinner, the chef prepared five starters, six main courses and four desserts. For many years after, a glassed-in table was set at the entrance of the restaurant with the original place settings and glassware from that noble night.
A few years later, Frédéric Delair worked his way up from a position as headwaiter at La Tour d’Argent to owner. He then went on to establish the restaurant’s most celebrated recipe: Canard à la presse (Pressed Duck.) Delair was so confident of the success of his new recipe that he began issuing every duck he served a number. To this day, if you order “Le Caneton Frédéric Delair” you’ll receive a certificate with the number of your duck — at this point, well over a million numbers have been issued. (You do not want to be a duck in Paris.)
“Le Canard Certificat” at La Tour d’Argent.
The menu from our most recent meal at La Tour d’Argent, featuring “Le Caneton Frédéric Delair” — pressed duck. And a Baccarat crystal duck, replicated on every table at the restaurant. Photo by Marla Norman.
In addition to its astounding history — and fabulous canard — La Tour d’Argent has many other pleasures. The views of the two Paris islands: Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis is unmatched. At night, when Notre Dame is lit up, you feel as if you could almost touch her. We were once seated for lunch at the table nearest the Seine River and it couldn’t have been more romantic — a moment that stays with you forever.
Another magical element is the elegance of the Tour d’Argent dining rooms and the exquisite service provided by the staff. Wearing two-piece suits, white gloves and bow ties, they move gracefully and professionally among the diners. It’s regrettable that some of the foreign tourists who visit La Tour d’Argent sometimes underdress, as if they’re picnicking at the beach.
Once the Sultan of Brunei and his retinue of a dozen or so people were seated next to our table. They were, of course, beautifully dressed, as you’d expect of the wealthiest man in the world and his friends. You never know who’ll turn up at La Tour d’Argent.
And the wine list? — one of the three largest lists in the world, the restaurant offers well over 15,000 varieties of wine in a 400-page book. Since 1986, La Tour d’Argent has been a recipient of the Wine Spectator Grand Award. The cellar, guarded around the clock, contains more than 450,000 bottles, whose value is conservatively estimated at some $30 million. The collection even survived the Second World War when the Terrail family, current owners, walled in the cellars to hide them from the Nazi invasion.
Michel studies the 400+ -page Wine Book at La Tour d’Argent. Photos by Marla Norman.
Half-bottles work well for lunch or, to try several different wines at one meal.
Of course, in addition to the legendary wine list, La Tour d’Argent offers excellent cuisine as well. The restaurant currently has one Michelin star. In the 1930s, La Tour d’Argent was crowned with three Michelin stars. In 1996, however, a star was lost and a second taken away in 2006. Recently, owner André Terrail has made it his mission to restore the stars and hired Chef Philippe Labbé for the task. Labbé was awarded two stars at the Shangri-La Paris’ L’Abeille and three stars at L’Arnsbourg in eastern France.
From our perspective, the food has always been exceptional. During our last visit, we booked a lunch. The mid-day menu is not as wide-ranging as the dinner offerings, but the service is still superb, of course, and the value is excellent. We enjoyed the following: an amuse bouche of salmon, red beets, crème fraîche & mushrooms. Starters were Asparagus with an almond milk “snowfall” & shrimp as well as a Pike Quenelle with a crawfish gratin.
Asparagus with an almond milk “snowfall” & shrimp. Photos by Marla Norman.
Skate with Menton Lemon, capers, almonds and hazelnuts.
For dessert, Caramelized Millefeuille, Tatin-style, with vanilla Ice cream, iced fromage blanc & apple juice salt.
Our main courses were Skate with Menton Lemon, capers, almonds & hazelnuts followed by Roasted Duck with spices, an emulsion of licorice and balsamic, a side of stuffed turnips and roasted baby onions. For dessert, Caramelized Millefeuille, Tatin-style, with vanilla ice cream, iced fromage blanc & apple juice salt.
Did we mention our visits are unforgettable experiences? Trying new restaurants in Paris is always a treat. We have a long list of favorite spots, as well as places we’re eager to sample. But dining in this ancient tower, steeped in history, with views of the city’s monuments is something apart altogether. Paris is famously known as “The City of Light.” It all began with Louis XIV, the Sun King and the Age of Enlightenment, around 1715….when La Tour d’Argent was already 133 years old.
You’re probably not planning to be in Paris this weekend, but you can still enjoy wine from the esteemed menu of La Tour d’Argent. Here, a miniature representation of the 15,000 bottles offered by the grand restaurant:
CHAMPAGNE
2006 Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Nicolas François. WA-97. $149.99. 6 bottles.
2008 Dom Pérignon Brut. AG-98. $164.00. 12 bottles
Domaine J.M. Labruyère Prologue Grand Cru Brut, Non-Vintage. JS-92. $43.99. 12 bottles
BORDEAUX
2010 Château Clinet, Pomerol. JS-97. $149.99. 24 bottles.
2010 Château Langoa-Barton Saint-Julien Grand Cru Classé. WE-94. $69.99. 12 bottles
2014 Château Palmer, Margaux. WE-97. $239.99. 6 bottles.
2015 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc Pessac-Léognan Grand Cru Classé. RP-96+. $86.99. 6 bottles.
2015 Château Bélair-Monange, Saint-Émilion. RP-100. $157.99. 3 bottles
2016 Château d’Issan Margaux Grand Cru Classé. JS-96. $64.99. 18 bottles
BURGUNDY
2014 Ramonet Chassagne-Montrachet Rouge Boudriottes Premier Cru. $72.99. 3 bottles.
2015 Etienne Sauzet Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Champ Canet. $129.99. 12 bottles.
2015 Domaine Génot-Boulanger Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru. $189.99. 6 bottles.
2016 Joseph Drouhin Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos. $79.99. 3 bottles.
2016 Olivier Bernstein 1er Cru Les Cazetiers, Gevrey-Chambertin. $269.99. 4 bottles
2017 Henri Boillot Volnay Les Caillerets Premier Cru. $89.99. 72 bottles.
RHÔNE
2010 Paul Jaboulet Aîné, Châteauneuf-du-Pape Domaine de Terre Ferme. RP-94. $99.99. 3 Magnums.
2014 M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Méal Rouge. RP-95. $129.99. 4 bottles.
2015 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape. JS-97. $145.99. 5 Magnums.
NAPA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
2005 Screaming Eagle, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. RP-98 RARE. $3,249.00. 1 bottle.
2014 Ulysses, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. JS-98. $144.99. 12 bottles.
2015 Continuum Oakville Bordeaux Blend. JS-100. $219.99. 12 bottles.
ITALY
2011 Venissa Rosso, Venezie. 375 ml. $129.99. 3 bottles.
2013 Tenimenti Angelini Val di Suga Brunello di Montalcino. JS-93. $49.99. 12 bottles.
PORT
1882 Graham’s Port “Ne Oublie” Tawny. JS-100. VERY RARE. $7,699.00. 1 bottle.
1997 Fonseca Vintage Port. WA-93. $54.99. 3 bottles
2016 Quinta do Noval Vintage Port. WS-98. $88.99. 6 bottles.
Heres to La Tour d’Argent!
Michel and Marla along with views of Notre Dame, Île de la Cité and Île Saint-Louis.
