Drouant

Drouant Restaurant Review:

The restaurant Drouant has occupied a prominent position in the picturesque Place Gaillon, not far from the Opéra Garnier, since 1880 when its Alsatian owner, Charles Drouant, opened this Parisian institution. An instant hit with the artistic and literary milieus of the moment, Drouant's true claim to fame dates back to 1914 when it was chosen as the site for the inauguration of the first Prix Goncourt, a prestigious French literary prize awarded annually. This completely refurbished Art Deco haven still houses valuable vestiges of the roaring '20s, such as a glamorous wrought iron staircase designed by French artist Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann. The current incarnation of Drouant places a special emphasis on vegetables and marks a return to the glory of the French hors d'oeuvres. Starters include cream of wild mushrooms, a vegetable tartare with a quail egg, raw and cooked beets, and a slice of bread with vegetable confit. For the main course, sautéed veal kidneys are an option. In close proximity to the Paris Stock Exchange, the restaurant will please business lunchers with its free wireless Internet access. Late-night dining is also convenient for the neighborhood's plentiful post-theatre crowd.