The restaurant at the Saint James Hotel in Paris, has recently appointed a new Executive Chef - Jean-Luc Rocha M.O.F. He has been with the restaurant since January 2017, and on a recent trip to Paris we were very eager to discover what he has brought to this restaurant; and we were certainly not disappointed.
Upon arrival for dinner, we were comforted by the familiar surroundings, yet equally blown away once more by the impressive décor. This hotel is grand to say the least, and the restaurant mimics all of the luxury this property exudes.
To begin our meal, we opted for an aperitif, two glasses of Taittinger Rosé Champagne. We sipped gladly on our drinks whilst we perused our menu choices, and took in the opulent atmosphere.
For our dining choices, we opted firstly for the fine chicken mousse served with black truffle Melanosporum and cappuccino-style mushrooms. This dish was full of the most amazing soft textures, and the flavour of the truffle was simply beautiful. The delicate chicken mousse lightened the dish, and made for an exceptional culinary experience.
“Everything from the setting to the service and of course the food is sublime.”
During our visit we also enjoyed the roast king prawn served with thin carcass jelly and crab kromesky fritter. In contrast to the first dish we sampled, this one consisted of a variety of textures which complimented each other perfectly. The delicate flavours of the fish suddenly became bold from being accentuated by the carcass jelly. This dish comes highly recommended by us.
To accompany our meal we chose a bottle of the 2014 Francois Crochet, Sancerre Exils, which was the ideal companion with its delicate palate of citrus and grapefruit, finished with notes of toasted almonds.
Chef Rocha has clearly developed a menu at Saint James which pays homage to exceptional flavour combinations using the best possible ingredients. We were very impressed by our evening from start to finish, and can only describe his appointment at this restaurant as a triumph.
We thoroughly recommend you visit the restaurant at the Saint James Hotel when you’re in Paris - everything from the setting to the service and of course the food is sublime.
The Bill: £63 per head
