L'Eldorado

On the hunt for the quietest hidden terrace in western Paris? Look no further, your quest ends here at the aptly named L’Eldorado hotel. A lush green paradise of palm trees, ferns, hydrangeas and camellias, where the gravel paths boast around 20 white-linen clad tables, under the patronage of Sophie Richard with Élodie and Pierre Moussié – the trio at the head of Hôtel Providence (among others). It’s also where chef Bénédicte Guillon has just passed through, elegantly executing the classics of bourgeois cuisine: asparagus, zucchini and shiso all crispy and fritto; an alluring seafood vol-au-vent filled with clams, sea bream, button mushrooms, a lemony cream and Noilly Prat; before a light cocoa sponge cake flanked by salted butter caramel. Other classics to try include eggs mimosa, XL sole meunière direct from the Channel or free-range chicken with olives and lemon. You can also come for breakfast or enjoy an afternoon sweet treat, like the delicious orange praline cake. // Thomas Jossin

FEELING THIRSTY? A menu concocted by star sommelier-journalist Gwilherm de Cerval, mixing bourgeois crus (Pommard, Corton, Chambolle-Musigny, etc.) and exciting natural bottles (Contre-Pied 2, a braucol-duras from Plageoles at €49, or Arpent, a Vouvray from Sébastien Brunet at €46…).

PRICE: Starters and small plates to share €12-19, mains €19-48, desserts €9-15.