Restaurant Review | Paris' Maison Rostang 🌟🌟

With nearly 40 years of history, Maison Rostang was the first Michelin experience of my return to Paris. From the delightful pre-meal snacks to the disappointing main course and dessert, it was a meal that started strong but ended weak. 😔 Located in the heart of the 17th arrondissement of Paris, the restaurant has undergone a renovation, transitioning its style from the traditional "old money" Parisian look to a more natural and modern aesthetic. For dinner, three menus are offered: à la carte, a seven-course tasting menu, and a vegetarian menu. I had initially wanted to try the signature duck dish, but due to supply shortages during the French holidays (a rather odd reason, honestly), I had to settle for the tasting menu instead. The wine list is thick enough to be an encyclopedia, with an impressive variety of wines. 🍷 Here are some thoughts on a few of the dishes: Asparagus: This was one of the better dishes of the night. The seasonal green asparagus paired with sorrel leaf ice cream was refreshing and delightful, a common combination but still enjoyable. However, it lacked the uniqueness that sets it apart from similar dishes in other Michelin restaurants in Paris. 🌱 Bresse Chicken: Without the menu indication, it would be hard to recognize that this main course featured the renowned Bresse chicken. Ideally, this ingredient should be tender and juicy with a rich aroma, but what was served was a rather dry chicken breast, lacking elasticity and somewhat tough. The accompanying heavy Sherry sauce completely overshadowed the chicken's natural flavor. 🍗 Dessert: The pre-dessert looked appealing, combining multiple citrus elements with tarragon leaves, but the overall acidity was too high and unbalanced. The main dessert was a simplified chocolate tart with crispy decorations, which felt both structurally and flavor-wise lacking in the refinement expected of a two-star Michelin restaurant. Surprisingly, the petit fours were the most enjoyable part of the meal, somewhat redeeming the evening. 🍰 This was the first time I left a restaurant feeling so disappointed. The only truly satisfying part of the meal was the complimentary snacks at the beginning. My friend joked that if we had just stuck to the snacks and some drinks, we might have had a pleasant evening. 😂 It seemed like the waitstaff were busy all night, yet they seemed inattentive, with multiple instances of empty water and wine glasses left unattended. The restaurant manager admitted that Chinese guests are now rare, with most patrons being American and Korean. If the quality remains this way, it's hard to see how they'll attract more Chinese diners. Additionally, in the newly renovated space, the swivel chairs were already showing signs of looseness, raising questions about attention to detail. 🪑 *Personal taste is subjective; the true flavor of food needs to be experienced firsthand. #France #Paris #ParisianCuisine #ParisTravel #ParisianLife #ParisianDaily #ParisianEats #ParisWeekend #Michelin #TwoStarMichelinRestaurant #ParisianMichelinRestaurant #FrenchCuisine #HiddenGems #Foodie