SAINT JAMES PARIS

#86 This was actually the last new star I tried in my Michelin Stars Challenge in Paris. Follow me to discover my other challenges.

Update: I went back since the first review. You’ll find the new one and the old one (with some corrections).

2023 Review :
What’s interesting here? Definitely in the top 10 one star in Paris. Will it be for the setting, the atmosphere or the cuisine.
First, let me put a disclaimer. I like the guy. You could say I’m biased. But, I don’t know why, especially since I’ve barely seen him and talk to him (he was away the second visit and the first time, I just saw him briefly). So there’s no specific reason.
Or is it because I like the hidden contradiction where you have the perfection of the old master, but with the language of a newer generation? It feels like receiving a sms from a much younger cousin but with a proper spelling and grammar. His plates are modern indeed, expressive and quite emotional. But underneath you have the previous generation, perfectionist and paradoxically harder to read...
Concretely, compare to last year, I found a great progression. The main one would be that I feels more like he’s telling a story, with a beginning, chapters and an end. Like an old master, the progression in it is very well managed and smooth. By the way, I recommend you do not take shortcuts and go for the longer menu. As I said last year, he’s a guy from the mountains that loves the sea. So do not reduce the sea section, especially with the deep dive (eaux profondes - squid and its “ink”). This dish is a must. If there’s one reason why I like this guy, it’s this dish. Hidden in the deep waters, behind the old master perfectionism and far from the noise, and the light, of a younger generation lies a guy that you can’t help but like. And then you move back up and forward with the meat, the dessert and ultimately, you’ll get out of the restaurant, the property and realize that you forgot you were in Paris.

Definitely a top tiers one star. Already a two stars contender in a year.

2022 Review :
What’s great here? The package. It’s rare to have such a package in one place. But I’m afraid this review won’t do justice to quality of the place.
A true package.
First, the place. How awesome is this place? Do a word count on my reviews, I’m not using this word lightly. Of course, you have big palaces, but a place like this? Wow. Rent a car just for the pleasure of driving in! I know the place is not enough to make a restaurant. But it could be enough for a lot of people (and actually it is to all the ones who “just “ go to the bar or to the “normal “ restaurant instead of the gastronomic one…).
Then, you have the brigade. Yes, because, it’s nice to be in your Hôtel particulier in Paris, yet feeling somewhere else (strange feeling being in Paris and forgetting you are), but it’s even better to be treated like a king. Each one has his own character, and each will bring a different light to your evening. I appreciated the dish story telling.
But still, it’s great to be in a wonderful hidden place in Paris, better to be treated like kings but you want the food to be divine. And here, it is.
I often think that the Michelin Star I prefer are the one star did not reach stardom (and perfection) yet, because you can still touch (and feel) the chef spirit. The chef cuisine is very balanced. It’s a guy from the mountain that loves Britany…. That says it all… So the seafood is are treated with the outmost respect and slightly enhanced with flavored oils and citrus. Look at the squid picture with its ink. It’s a piece of art. This is a guy from the mountain sharing his love of the sea.

It’s a top tiers one star. And it’s a top tiers experience.

Since we stayed at the Saint James Paris, we thought it would be a good idea to celebrate our special occasion at the Bellefeuille. Have to say, unfortunately it did not meet our expectation at all.

The ambience is amazing given the restaurant is same as where we had the breakfast (the decor at Saint James Paris is amazing as it is). Most of the dishes were flavourful and delicious but all of the seafood dishes were somehow not so great to our palates. The combination of seafood and their dressing was just…wrong. The only dish we truly enjoyed was the pigeon. It was done well and really delicious.

Service was impeccable however the chef did not have the courtesy to come say hello or ask for our feedback even though he was there walking back and forth many times between the kitchen and dining room.

We had noted that we would be celebrating our anniversary but Bellefeuille literally did not do anything about it, not even an oral congratulation from the staff. Really disappointing.

Wow. The service, food and wine were truly exceptional! I understand why Bellefeuille received a Michelin star. Everything was outstanding. My favorite dish on this menu was the squid (they change the menu seasonally). I would love to come back here next time I’m in Paris. Definitely worth every penny. Would highly recommend.

L'ambiance de cet établissement étoilé Michelin est tout simplement époustouflante, et le personnel se distingue par sa grande amabilité et son attention remarquable envers les clients.

Cependant, en ce qui concerne la cuisine, nous avons rencontré quelques défis. Les plats se sont avérés être d'une complexité gustative. Nous avons été surpris par l'intensité des saveurs, certaines étant un peu trop prononcées, présentant parfois un côté âpre ou amer, à l'instar de la sauce au fumet de poissons que j'ai ressenti longtemps après le repas.

La majorité des ingrédients semblaient être préparés de manière crue ou étaient d'une nature difficile à appréhender pour des convives de notre âge (35 ans). Il est indéniable que ce restaurant s'adresse davantage à une clientèle plus mature.

Bien que nous ayons apprécié les amuse-bouches à base de courgettes et les desserts qui étaient délicieux, les plats principaux ne correspondaient tout simplement pas à nos préférences culinaires. Ayant déjà eu l'occasion de dîner dans d'autres établissements étoilés, nous n'avions jamais rencontré de telles difficultés pour apprécier un repas.
En fait, cela nous a même empêchés de passer une bonne nuit de sommeil.

Très bonne expérience dans cette établissement