Louis XV is a restaurant I have been wanting to test for a long time.
I got the chance to eat at « 3 star Michelin » restaurant several times but according to me, Louis XV is a perfect combination of glamour of Hotel de Paris in Monaco and the refined cuisine of Alain Ducasse.
We came for dinner, and the disappointment: the historic room named « Empire » with a view on the Casino square is closed for works and the hostess took us to a temporary restaurant.
The historic restaurant room was replaced by their future bar, during the renovation works which should finish end 2018!
However the disappointment didn’t last long: the room is very cozy with superb leather arm chairs, great « art deco », finish, sought-after table decoration and a wine cellar which would make anyone dreamy!
A quick glance to “look at” our mixed vicinity: a young Japanese couple under the spell, “amazed” Americans, English people who’ve been coming back every summer since 20 years, but in the end, a beautiful International clientele, who are rather young!
In order to properly experience the place, we chose the tasting menu with 4 dishes/food pairings and wine and we weren’t disappointed.
A surprising appetizer: bits of raw fish which are cooked in front of you, in a sort of grill-stone.
My first starter was a “refreshed melon broth, lemongrass/ginger and blue lobster” which was just delicious, very refreshing for the season and the choice of spices were mastered beautifully.
My second starter was ” Vegetable garden with black truffle”, fine crunchy vegetables, along with truffles, completely flawless!
I decided to take a starter as a main course “risotto with wild mushrooms, crushed mint, citron”. Risotto is my guilty pleasure. I find this risotto excellent and it seems “light” in the mouth, a perfect risotto with a dash of mint and citrus.
The main course was « Wolfish and Mediterranean cucumber, coconut and purslane». Generally, I find white fish quite tasteless, but this is the best one I have ever eaten, refined and flavorful. The side dish? Just fantastic!
Now time for dessert: I went after the « country raspberries, sour marmalade, yoghurt sorbet/ olive oil ». Subtle and fresh is exactly what one needs, to finish lightly!
My partner and I were won over by this extraordinary and unforgettable experience! Of course, we didn’t leave empty handed, as the restaurant offered us a box with a huge sugared brioche, along with chocolate and orange peels! Such a delight! The best brioche ever!
Finally, a 3*, where one leaves starry-eyed!
I can’t wait to come back, when the historic room will be ready to welcome us again…
Le Louis XV- Alain Ducasse à l’Hôtel de Paris
Place du Casino, 98000 Monaco
