Le Procope

Le Procope, our first French experience. Just moments after arriving from the airport we visited this Paris institution that opened in 1686. Figures such as Voltaire, Diderot and Victor Hugo visited and ate at Le Procope.

The Scene

Beautifully decorated. Chandeliers decorate the ceilings, while books and sculptures of celebrated and famous man decorate the 300 year old walls and their surroundings. Nine salons and dining rooms are decorated with style, although some of the rooms seem a bit deteriorated. Candlelight dinners are served throughout the night and visitors often enjoy sitting near the windows.

The Food

Le Procope offers a rich selection of platters, ranging from moderately priced to very expensive. The restaurant offers a wide selection of seafood platters and French traditional plates such as coq au vin, French onion soup and duck with honey sauce. The restaurant also offers a menu, which has limited items to choose from. Since this was the first experience for many of us to French food and to the "menu" idea, it was hard for many of us to choose good plates. As a result, many of us didn't enjoy our selections. For many of us, the best part was the desserts. Some of us had the opportunity to taste the galette de rois, while others craved glaces (ice cream) and the pommes au four.

Insider Tip: For a good time, dinner seemed the best time. Reservations recommended. Food is ok, not that great. Some dishes are over priced, others are reasonably priced. Be prepared to spend over $100 if you don't order from the "daily menu". Recommended.