Pampered in Paris: Relive the roaring twenties at Hotel Le Bristol
THEY say that cats have nine lives, and at Hotel Le Bristol in Paris, Fa-Raon and Kleopatre must be pretty happy they picked this one.
While most of us can only dream of visiting the five star escape in the heart of the City of Light, the Burmese furballs — hypoallergenic, mais naturellement — actually live there, scoffing Michelin starred titbits and accepting head rubs from A-list guests such as Anne Hathaway and David Beckham.
No wonder they’ve got the whole insouciant French thing down, purring past nonplussed as their latest house guest tumbled through the revolving door with post-plane hair and high street hand luggage, looking like something a lesser cat dragged in.
Pampered moggies might be a tough crowd, but as you probably already know, pampered travel writers are typically even cattier.
As the door to my apartment-sized bedroom swung slowly open though, it soon became apparent that I wouldn’t be needing the tiny nail file in the vanity kit in the bathroom to sharpen my claws, after all.
As a serial mini toiletries thief, incidentally, the luxurious lavatory was my first port of call during the customary nose around.
Le Bristol, as it’s more simply known, is home to a La Prairie spa, and happily stocks travel-sized goodies by the French beauty brand — a number of which may or may not have ended up in my suitcase — in its palatial rooms too.
Having located the minibar (in the cabinet below the telly, in case you’re looking) and scanned the skyline for a glimpse of the iconic Eiffel Tower, about a half an hour stroll away, next it was time for the all-important mattress test.
The result? Soft, supportive and stupendous enough to sleep in my preferred position when snoozing alone: ‘The Starfish’.
A silver fruit stand piled high with Snow White-esque glossy red apples added to the overall air of grandeur.
Of course, you don’t make the 1,000-odd kilometre pilgrimage to Le Bristol to gorge on lowly Galas.
As part of the Oetker Collection, the masterpiece hotel — along with The Lanesborough in London and Palais Namaskar in Marrakech — is related to Dr Oetker frozen pizzas.
But native chef Eric Frechon’s Michelin-starred imaginings draw foodies from across the globe to the place.
Between Frechon’s exclusive three star restaurant, Epicure, and Chef Jean-Charles Cauquil’s more casual one star brasserie, 114 Faubourg, Le Bristol boasts a grand total of four ‘etoiles’, making it the French food bible’s most decorated establishment in Europe.
Suffice to say, every gourmand worth their salt has it on their bucket list.
Speaking through an interpreter however, Chef Frechon told Weekend magazine how he’s more interested in empty plates than accolades. “Michelin stars are great,” he tells.
“As a chef though, the greatest satisfaction is seeing empty plates coming back to the kitchen.
“Personally, I don’t feel any pressure to retain the stars, apart from the pressure I put on myself to do a better job every day anyway.
“For me, it’s all about putting the products first and just making the food you love,” explains the 51-year-old.
“I get inspired by everything from art to travel and street food.
“But the best inspiration is when it just comes to your mind and you don’t really know why — that’s when something really special happens on the plate.”
French women don’t get fat, but after a five-course feast at the world-famous eaterie, unfortunately the same can’t be said for this Irish one.
Moreish morels, perfectly creamy risotto, gorgeously grilled asparagus, edible rose petals and melt in the mouth macaroons were just some of the simple but sumptuous veggie-friendly delights I sampled during the once-in-a-lifetime lunch.
While my carnivorous dining companions from publications across the
planet chowed down on crab fresh from Roscoff, macaroni stuffed with duck foie gras and soft cooked sand sole, among other dishes over the course of the three-hour banquet.
It’s not all about the food, mind.
From the meticulous white-gloved wait staff to the adjoining rose garden and well-heeled guests, eating at Epicure is as much about style as is it sustenance.
Even my cheap as chips Penneys handbag got its very own seat at the table.
Nonetheless, as a card-carrying member of ‘Generation Platebook’, otherwise known as one of those annoying people who tweets what they eat, I couldn’t help but post a snap (or 10) of my envy-inspiring meal to Twitter and Facebook.
Unlike Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare owner Moe Issa however, who infamously banned diners from ’Foodstagramming’ at the Michelin three star restaurant in New York, Frechon is fine with it.
“I think it’s a pretty good idea,” he says.
“I actually love the fact that people can see my work online and always try to interact with my followers on Twitter.
“There was a time when people weren’t that interested in gastronomy. So anything that encourages people to think about food, try new restaurants or just cook at home is a good thing.”
After a €100 million makeover, certainly Le Bristol — which recently celebrated its 90th birthday — lives up to its ‘Timeless Luxury’ hashtag on the microblogging site.
Little wonder then that director Woody Allen chose it to capture the glamour of the Roaring Twenties in Midnight in Paris starring Owen Wilson and Rachel McAdams back in 2011.
A lifelong Woodyphile, I tried to squeeze staff for any juicy gossip from the set of the flick, but they were (ever so politely) having none of it.
There must have been some kind of Magic in the Moonlight though, as a shrink-wrapped copy of the movie appeared on my pillow following the traditional turndown service later that night.
With prices starting from €830 per night excluding breakfast, you might think a free DVD and a few missing toiletries might be the least the Palace-category property can do for its more Z-list guests.
And admittedly you may have to raid the piggy bank, or indeed an actual bank, to tick it off your ‘To Do Before I Die’ list.
As honorary Parisian Oscar Wilde, whose Pere Lachaise tomb I visited before jetting back to his real home, once said though: “I can’t stand people who do not take food seriously”.
Le Bristol — je t’aime.
Fly direct from Dublin Airport to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport with Aer Lingus from €125 return. See www.aerlingus.com
Stay at Hotel Le Bristol, 112 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore, 75008 Paris from €830 per night. See www.lebristolparis.com
Epicure’s seven-course tasting menu starts from €295 per person or check out Eric Frechon’s more budget-friendly Lazare restaurant in the city. See www.lazare-paris.fr
Le Bristol’s own cocktail bar, Le Bar du Bristol, run by awardwinning mixologist Maxime Hoerth, stays open until 2am every night.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
