Anne Restaurant: Spider Crab & Champers

 

“Anne”, Le Pavillon de la Reine’s restaurant, is located in a smart dining room off the main foyer. Tables are well spaced, with cushion clad bench seats opposite conventional dining chairs. 

I like to drink champagne from tulip glasses, so was delighted when our Bollinger Rosé was served in them. Pre starters were devoured whilst choosing from the compact and attractive menu. We start with spider crab and a foie gras.

 

 

The crab is served with white asparagus and a fine dollop of golden caviar. My foie gras is poached in sauternes. The sweetness works wonderfully with the warm buttery liver. It is accompanied by fresh, new season blond morels. 

I am a bit of a meat lover but can’t resist turbot when I see it. I was however stumped by my dining partner and had to settle for the days special of wagyu chuck. What a chore! The raw fish was brought to the table on a board for inspection, before being taken to the kitchen and gently cooked in yellow wine.

 

 

Served with lardo di colonnata and fine spears of green asparagus, the meaty white flesh was everything it should have been.

I’m not a diehard wagyu convert, not because it isn’t good, just because it isn’t always good, but this steak was one of the tastiest. Accompanied on the plate by a pool of perfect Bearnaise and with a side of asparagus and sliced black truffle.

Wines were paired and poured with each course. A shared rhubarb tart finished the evening and was the perfect level of sharpness to cleanse the palate. 

 

 

This is a first class french restaurant where perfection is mandatory and nothing is left to chance. Hardly surprising when it was launched in collaboration with Mathieu Pacaud chief of 3 Michelin star, L’Ambroisie.

Anne’s Maître d’ and his team made for a truly special experience and we couldn’t have been better looked after. Even when accompanied by a one year old!

-LBM

GO TO: pavillon-de-la-reine.com