Paris: Children at Taillevent, or not?
Dec 14th, 2005, 12:55 PM
#1
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Paris: Children at Taillevent, or not?
My 9yo and 5yo are clamoring to have dinner at the Michelin-three-star Taillevent with my husband and me when we spend spring break in Paris next April. Should I let them, or just get a babysitter for the evening? The kids enjoy and are used to having long, multi-course meals in quiet, formal restaurants, but none of us has been to Taillevent and we are not sure whether children would be out of place there, even at an early seating such as 7:30 p.m.
I'm ambivalent, on the one hand wanting a leisurely (and maybe even romantic?) dinner with just my husband and, on the other hand, not wanting my kids to miss out on a gustatory experience.
Please advise? Many thanks!
I'm ambivalent, on the one hand wanting a leisurely (and maybe even romantic?) dinner with just my husband and, on the other hand, not wanting my kids to miss out on a gustatory experience.
Please advise? Many thanks!
Dec 14th, 2005, 01:54 PM
#2
My vote: babysitter. You can go to restaurants the other nights that will give your kids a wonderful French culinary experience. Would they really be able to tell the difference between the great dinner in a French bistro for €25-35 and the Michelin three star dinner?
Of course, this is from the perspective of a person whose idea of a wonderful French restaurant comes only from bistros costing at most €40-50 or so. I'd love to try the Taillevent type meal some day, but so far I have no regrets because we've had great restaurant experiences at more modest prices.
Of course, this is from the perspective of a person whose idea of a wonderful French restaurant comes only from bistros costing at most €40-50 or so. I'd love to try the Taillevent type meal some day, but so far I have no regrets because we've had great restaurant experiences at more modest prices.
Dec 14th, 2005, 01:59 PM
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I understand. Taillevent is on the tip of every 5yo's tongue, it's all you hear about these days - they ALL want to go! Be sure to ask for the honey mustard sauce for the chicken nuggets - it's to die for!
Dec 14th, 2005, 02:11 PM
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I'll admit I do not frequent Taillevent to know, but if it is really true that they are well-behaved, quiet, can sit in their seats for hours in 3* restaurants for multi-course meals, etc., I think it would be okay to take them. YOu could go at lunch. Five year olds shouldn't be out that late anyway, IMO. (till 11?).
However, if the reason is really what you say, because you don't want a 9 and 5 yo to miss out on a gustatory experience -- no. That's it, no, not for that reason.
This is ridiculous, you know that, don't you?
However, if the reason is really what you say, because you don't want a 9 and 5 yo to miss out on a gustatory experience -- no. That's it, no, not for that reason.
This is ridiculous, you know that, don't you?
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Dec 14th, 2005, 02:16 PM
#8
I'm pretty curious too - how on Earth has a 5 year old even heard of Taillevant?? Unless Mom and Dad have really talked it up to them (and created the issue in the first place)
Even IF they do enjoy "long, multi-course meals in quiet, formal restaurants" I wouldn't take them. Make it a special evening for the two adults.
(No matter how well behaved your kids are - I'd LOVE to see the faces of other diners when the 4 of you walk in. Most people wouldn't look forward to sharing a $400 dinner with small children)
Even IF they do enjoy "long, multi-course meals in quiet, formal restaurants" I wouldn't take them. Make it a special evening for the two adults.
(No matter how well behaved your kids are - I'd LOVE to see the faces of other diners when the 4 of you walk in. Most people wouldn't look forward to sharing a $400 dinner with small children)
Dec 14th, 2005, 02:38 PM
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I'll gently ask if you're joking. You are joking, right? If not, you really should consider taking the kids to places where they'll be more welcome and less likely to infringe on the rights of the other patrons who might want to enjoy an adults-only night out in Paris.
Dec 14th, 2005, 02:49 PM
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I would have considered children at Taillevent a distraction, simply because it is not the norm. I know I'd be looking at the table to see how they were reacting to the experience, etc. That's not necessarily bad but, the dining experience there is so unique, any distraction would impact it.
While children may be welcome there, I'd opt not to take them and find something else "special" for them
While children may be welcome there, I'd opt not to take them and find something else "special" for them
Dec 14th, 2005, 04:15 PM
#12
I saw your post on another site. It depends if your children can behave so that you wouldn't know they were there. It always amazes me in France when a see a couple leaving a restaurant with a few children when from where we were seated had no idea that tots were there.
Dec 14th, 2005, 05:46 PM
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<i>My 9yo and 5yo are clamoring to have dinner at the Michelin-three-star Taillevent with my husband and me</i>
Which one read the reviews and shared them with the sibling?
What dish most appealed to them?
How often do the little ones have gustatory experiences, aside from their nightly macaroni and cheese or burgers?
How do they feel about fois gras?
Do they prefer Potatoes au gratin or mashed?
How long do you sit at the table each night?
Do they like a Cheese course?
Have you been out of the country before?
I am sorry, but I could never say that I was ambivilant about taking two very young children to a very nice , Adult restaurant in Paris.
And this has nothing to do with your parenting or your children, it is mostly a matter of common sense..
Which one read the reviews and shared them with the sibling?
What dish most appealed to them?
How often do the little ones have gustatory experiences, aside from their nightly macaroni and cheese or burgers?
How do they feel about fois gras?
Do they prefer Potatoes au gratin or mashed?
How long do you sit at the table each night?
Do they like a Cheese course?
Have you been out of the country before?
I am sorry, but I could never say that I was ambivilant about taking two very young children to a very nice , Adult restaurant in Paris.
And this has nothing to do with your parenting or your children, it is mostly a matter of common sense..
Dec 14th, 2005, 06:59 PM
#14
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Even if the kids are well behaved, I'd be uncomfortable indulging them in such an adult experience. I mean, really, do kids NEED a "gustatory experience"?? They sound like they could either be spoiled or just "clamoring" for Mom and Dad's attention.
Dec 14th, 2005, 07:09 PM
#15
or as a few said on another forum, "bring them the leftovers."
Seriously folks,most of us can't afford to dine there and if this couple can and also if they children are used to fine dining and are quiet and they are dining early, 7:30 when most of us aren't dining, it will be ok.
Seriously folks,most of us can't afford to dine there and if this couple can and also if they children are used to fine dining and are quiet and they are dining early, 7:30 when most of us aren't dining, it will be ok.
Dec 14th, 2005, 08:29 PM
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We have eaten at a variety of Michelin starred restaurants in Paris and the only restaurants I have seen children in were Le Cinq and Jules Verne.
Le Cinq is in the George V hotel which I think accounts for that exception and the Jules Verne is a very touristy restaurant in the Eiffel. Do not remember children in Taillevent. Now my teenagers did well at Le Cinq but we did not take them to these types of restaurants when they were younger.
Le Cinq is in the George V hotel which I think accounts for that exception and the Jules Verne is a very touristy restaurant in the Eiffel. Do not remember children in Taillevent. Now my teenagers did well at Le Cinq but we did not take them to these types of restaurants when they were younger.
Dec 14th, 2005, 08:53 PM
#17
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With the deplorable state that this planet is in today, I can't believe anyone would even raise the question about a 5 and 9 year old "clamoring" to eat at Mich 3*
As my late mother would have politely said..."Oyoyoy..They should only be well!"
Stu T.
As my late mother would have politely said..."Oyoyoy..They should only be well!"
Stu T.
Dec 14th, 2005, 10:09 PM
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..if one were to have dinner at Taillevent as a 5 year old, what would you have to look forward to later in life! I really think the kids would have as much fun in a local bistro as Taillevent. They can still practice comapny manners at a nice local restaurant and at Taillevent you and you SO can have a quiet dinner as a couple which IMO all old married couples need on occassion. I sound preachy but with what you spend on 2 kiddie dinners at T you could probably sponser a child for a year through CARE or Save the Children..Maybe if you really want to expand their horizens, travel to Haiti, sub- Saharan Africa or even a food bank near you.
