By Anita Jiang
La Tour d’Argent (The Silver Tower) is a historic restaurant in Paris, France. It is so famous for it claims that it was founded in 1582 and frequented by Henri IV. And Since 1986, La Tour d’Argent has been a recipient of the Wine Spectator Grand Award.
It is located at 15 quai de la Tournelle, quite near where I’m living. The location is quite convinient to go, there are many metro stations near by. And inside the restaurant, the clients can enjoy the view of Notre Dame and the Seine River.
For me, the first time heard of this restaurant is when I went to a French language school in Shanghai, China, befor coming to Paris to study. It was written in the text book Reflets. To me it’s becoming the “must-go place”. So before Christmas I booked a table and got ready to explore the fantacy of La Tour D’Argent.
The booking was quite simple. I found there official website https://www.tourdargent.com/ and clicked Reservation, put into time and how many people are going, and I got the confirmation email and SMS. Before going, it would remind you again. But for the reservation, you have to give 50 euros’ credit for each person through your credit card, if you don’t showup or cancle the meal, it would be taken away from your card. This actually is not pleasant, but some restaurants also do this in Paris.
Before the first dishes, the restaurant would give the clients some appetizers. As you may see from the pictures, the appetizers are nicely looking, the tates is ok, not as good as its looking though.
One thing makes me feel good is their tableware with their logo and they only use silverware. But that’s the path to an unpleasant meal. The entree is normal, nothing exciting but can be considered good. Food material are freshe and well cooked.Three of us ordered three entrees.
But the maindishes are quite disappointing. We tried 3 different maindishes.
Fish was too salty. And the most famous pressed duck, which is the specialty of La Tour D’Argent, was even more dissappointing. The duck is tender but you can’t feel savoury in it. Though the story sells very good.
The restaurant raises its ducks on its own farm. Diners who order the duck receive a postcard with the bird’s serial number, mine is #1154611. There are some special ones. Serial number #112,151 went to U.S. PresidentFranklin Delano Roosevelt, #203,728 went to Marlene Dietrich, and #253,652 went to Charlie Chaplin.
The desserts are quite pleasant and not as those traditional french desserts, it’s not too sweet, healthier and easier to finish even if they offers a lot.
It has a rating of one star from the Guide Michelin, while it used to be three stars. The location, the decoration and the service are nothing to say but good, but their dishes, especially the main dishes are really disappointing. Luckily their wine book adds score to their reputation–it’s like a wine bible, with so many prestige wine in it. They are one of the best restaurants offering such nice wine collection. So despite the disappointing experience of the main dishes, I still think it’s a place to go in Paris, to experience the history, the service, the view and the wine there.
Fou d'Food 