The 8th arrondissement sits in the heart of Paris near the Champs-Élysées. This area is known as the Golden Triangle because of all the fancy shops and historic buildings around it. Le Clarence opened back in November 2015 inside a 19th-century mansion at 31 Avenue Franklin D. Roosevelt. The restaurant got two Michelin stars in 2017 and has kept them ever since. The place is owned by Domaine Clarence Dillon, the same family that runs Château Haut-Brion in Bordeaux. Prince Robert of Luxembourg fixed up the whole mansion to look like a French château. Chef Andrea Capasso runs the kitchen now after working there for six years. He grew up in Italy but trained at the ALMA school founded by Gualtiero Marchesi. Before coming to France, Andrea worked under Riccardo Camanini at Lido 84 in Italy. The restaurant made it onto The World's 50 Best Restaurants list for three years in a row.

Key highlights:

- Two Michelin stars since 2017 with modern French cuisine in a 19th-century mansion - Wine cellar with over 1, 500 references from Bordeaux and French regions - Three private dining rooms on the third floor for events and business meetings

PROFILE

Le Clarence operates inside Hôtel Dillon, which Prince Robert decorated himself without any designer help. He bought everything from different vendors around Paris to recreate the feel of Château Haut-Brion. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner Wednesday through Saturday starting at 12:30 PM and 7:30 PM. It closes on Sundays, Mondays,and Tuesdays. The mansion was completely restored using the best craftsmen in France. The goal was to bring Bordeaux wine culture right into the center of Paris. Three private rooms on the third floor can host business lunches and private dinners. The largest one is named after Chef Carême and fits up to 20 people.

AMBIENCE

The entry has rose red velvet walls and a Louis XV armoire that catches your eye right away. A soft turning staircase leads up to the main dining room with high ceilings. Tables are spaced far apart and covered with nice linens. The chairs are deep red velvet and pretty comfortable for a long meal. One salon has toile wallpaper with a soft green background and red designs. The wood paneling throughout the building adds to the old-world feel. Renaissance tapestries and chandeliers hang in the dining rooms. The atmosphere feels like eating in a private home instead of a restaurant.

MUST-TRY

The brioche bread gets mentioned a lot in reviews as some of the best people have ever eaten. Guests say they wish they had asked for more servings. The uni custard shows up as a favorite bite along with the king crab pasta. These dishes highlight Andrea's focus on land-sea combinations. Wild salmon from the Adour river comes with cuttlefish and sorrel. Langoustines are paired with artichoke and tarama. The tasting menus change based on what's in season. There is no set menu, just sequences of dishes built around the best products available.

FOOD

Andrea creates each dish on the spot rather than following a fixed recipe. His style mixes traditional French techniques with his Italian background and modern touches. The cuisine focuses on seasonal ingredients and precise techniques. Textures are really refined and the balance between land and sea shows up in most sequences. Lunch menus start at 150 euros for three sequences. The longest evening menu with seven sequences costs 430 euros. Satellite plates with strong flavors come alongside each main sequence. The cooking style is described as instinctive and vibrantly modern.

SERVICE

The service follows the French style with staff who know their stuff but stay discreet. Servers like Thomas get called out by name in reviews for making the experience special. The sommelier team updates the wine list constantly with new finds. They create daily pairings to match whatever Andrea is cooking. Wine pairings start at 110 euros for lunch and go up to 510 euros for the premium selection. The cellar has over 1, 500 wine references from more than 500 winemakers. Staff can handle dietary restrictions and allergies without any fuss. The pace of service runs on the slower side typical of fine French dining.

PRICING

Three-sequence lunch menu costs 150 euros per person. The five-sequence menu is 250 euros and the seven-sequence runs 380 euros. Dinner pricing starts at 280 euros for five sequences and 430 euros for seven sequences. Wine pairings add 110 to 510 euros depending on the selection. The restaurant sits in the expensive range even for Paris two-star spots. But reviewers say the quality matches what you pay. Private room rentals and event pricing require contacting the restaurant directly. The technical setup in the private rooms includes flat screens and high-speed wifi.

SUMMARY

Le Clarence delivers solid two-star quality in a mansion that feels more like a private home. Andrea Capasso's cooking stays creative without getting too weird. The wine selection is obviously a strong point since the owners run a major Bordeaux estate. Service maintains high standards without being stuffy. The setting alone makes it worth visiting if you want that classic French fine dining experience. Prices are high but not crazy for what you get. Most reviews mention the meal runs long, often over four hours. People either love that or wish it moved faster.

FAQs

What are the opening hours at Le Clarence?

Le Clarence opens for lunch at 12:30 PM and dinner at 7:30 PM from Wednesday to Saturday. The restaurant stays closed on Sunday, Monday,and Tuesday.

Do I need a reservation to eat at Le Clarence?

Yes, you need to book ahead since this is a two Michelin star restaurant with limited seating. You can call +33 1 82 82 10 10 or use their website to reserve a table.

How much does dinner cost at Le Clarence?

Dinner tasting menus range from 280 euros for five sequences to 430 euros for seven sequences. Wine pairings add another 110 to 510 euros depending on which selection you choose.