Paris is full of magic, not least on the dining front! So when I had the chance to visit a gem of a restaurant on my recent trip to the French capital, I didn’t have to think twice. Have you ever had amazing lunch with a view to the Eiffel Tower? Now you have the chance with a visit to Restaurant Maison Blanche.
(Hosted experience)
Maison Blanche means ‘white house’. Very befitting for this restaurant, as it’s located on the top floor of a typical light and richly decorated Parisian building. Not very telling of the things taking place inside, though.
It was my first visit to Maison Blanche, which is conveniently located on Avenue Montaigne – just a stone’s throw from the river Seine and the charm of the 8th arrondissement. The street itself is packed with expensive hotels and high end shops; this is clearly an expensive part of town. Yet, it’s worth every cent to take the elevator to the top floor of number 15. Maison Blanche doesn’t make a being of itself; there are no large signs on the street pointing in a certain direction; in fact you have to get quite close to number 15 to notice a gold-plated sign telling you that you’re on the right path. Go straight inside, take the elevator and voila! You’re greeted by the friendly staff who quickly takes your coat and show you to your table.
I had lunch there with a couple of other Journalists, but the weather unfortunately didn’t show itself from its best side. It was raining and quite foggy, but we could still get a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower in the distance. I closed my eyes for a brief second to imagine these settings on a warm Summer’s day – or evening.
The French are very fond of their Chef’s and Maison Blanche is no exception. Fabrice Giraud is creating magic inside the white house and his CV is nothing short of impressive! From Hotel de Paris in Monaco to Shangri-La in Shanghai and later Istanbul, Monsieur Giraud is now ‘Chef de cuisine’ at Maison Blanche, where he creatively merges his gastronomical heritage with exotic flavors from his many trips abroad. I found that mix to be quite refreshing and fully enjoyed a three-course lunch experience including both meat, fish and delightful dessert afterwards. Everything paired with extraordinary French wines selected by the restaurant’s sommelier.
Maison Blanche gives you a stunning view of Paris’ rooftops (and the Eiffel Tower), which is why I’d mainly recommend it for lunch. But these are also the perfect settings for a romantic dinner – or even a club experience in the weekend! Every Saturday, the rooftop transforms into a hip nightclub full of glitter, sounds and champagne.
Tempted? Click on the restaurant’s website here to know more.
NB! It’s always recommended to reserve a table in advance.
