Paris has all these old buildings that look normal from outside but are crazy inside. The 8th by the Champs-Elysees packs pricey stores and old spots, straight out of an old movie. Lasserre is on Avenue Franklin Roosevelt and has been around since 1942. Before that the building was just a place selling fries and beer during some big fair in 1937 until this guy Rene Lasserre bought it and changed everything. They got their first Michelin star in 1949 and kept going up until they hit three stars in 1962. They had that top rating for over 20 years before they lost it in 1983 but they still have one star now. The roof that opens up is basically what everyone talks about. When the weather’s nice they open it up and you can eat under the real sky.

Key highlights:

- The roof slides open so you can see the stars while you eat. - They make old French food but use new ways to cook it. - A lot of big French chefs learned their skills right here.

PROFILE

Rene Lasserre started from scratch and made this place where celebs wanted to hang out. Salvador Dali would come and order birds just to smell them without eating them which is weird but whatever. Audrey Hepburn ate here and so did Marc Chagall who got the idea to paint that famous ceiling at the Opera after lunch here. Some politician named Andre Malraux came so much they named a pigeon dish after him. The chef now is Nicolas Le Tirrand who started in 2018. Jean Lachenal does all the desserts and they both stick to French cooking with some changes here and there. They completely redid the dining room in 2017. They updated everything but the vibe stayed just like it was.

AMBIENCE

The dining room is super formal with white tablecloths and decorations all over the place. You ride an elevator to get to where you eat which makes it feel kind of dramatic. The ceiling’s the thing everyone talks about. It’s this big mechanical setup that slides open when the weather’s right and you actually see stars right over your table. The lights are dim and they play music in the background. The whole thing is set up to make you feel like something big is happening even if you're just there for dinner. They're strict about what you wear. Guys have to wear jackets and they won't let you in if you're wearing gym clothes or t-shirts.

MUST-TRY

The Andre Malraux pigeon is their thing. The old one was way too much but now it's simpler and easier to eat. Macaroni stuffed with truffle and foie gras pops up in most reviews. It's rich but doesn't make you feel gross. Duck with orange from Challans has been on the menu forever. The duck's soft and the orange cuts through the fat. Desserts switch up with the season but the pastry crew makes these tiny courses at the end that look spot on. Most people grab a few sweet bites since they're not big.

FOOD

The full tasting menu’s six courses and you can tack on wine if you want. Each plate’s put together with stuff that fits the season. Portions are kinda small and that bugs some folks when they see the prices. The kitchen cares more about how things look and taste than filling you up. Everything tastes like classic French food—butter and cream in almost every bite. Nothing’s too wild or out there. The wine guy knows the list inside out and can pick bottles that match your food. Mostly French wines but a few from other places too.

SERVICE

The waiters are really formal and time everything so your plates show up at exactly the right time. You don't get much friendly conversation which might feel a bit cold. Some servers speak English fine but others have trouble explaining things. It depends on who's working that night. They notice fast if you need something but they don't stand around your table being annoying. Everything runs smooth like they've practiced it a million times. You basically have to make a reservation since they only open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner starting at 7. You can't just walk in and expect a table.

PRICING

Plan on spending around 200 euros each for a full meal. If you get the six-course thing with wine it can hit 400 dollars per person or more depending on what you pick. The price makes this one of the expensive places even for Paris. You're paying for where it is and how old it is as much as the actual food. Wine by the glass isn't too bad but bottles get expensive really quick if you're not watching. The wine guy will suggest pricey stuff unless you tell him your budget up front. Credit cards are fine but they don't take checks. You can rent out the whole restaurant for parties if you call them.

SUMMARY

Lasserre gives you a classic French dining thing that hasn't really changed in 80 years. The roof that opens is cool and makes eating there feel more special than just sitting in a regular room. The food is good and the kitchen clearly knows what they're doing with old-school techniques. The portions might leave you wanting more when you think about what you spent. Service is professional but maybe too stiff for people who want things more relaxed. The dress code shows you this is a serious place. If you want to see what old Paris fancy dining is like this place has everything. Just be ready to drop a lot of money for the whole thing.

FAQs

Does the roof actually open while you're eating?

The mechanical roof opens when the weather is good. They won't open it if it's too cold or raining since everyone eating needs to be comfortable.

What do I wear to Lasserre?

Guys need jackets and everyone has to dress nice. They specifically won't let you in if you're wearing gym clothes including shorts and t-shirts so you have to dress up.

How early should I book a table?

Make your reservation way ahead especially if you want a weekend dinner spot. They only do Tuesday to Saturday evenings so tables fill up fast when it's busy.