There’s no denying it – when it comes to eating out in Paris, we’re spoilt for choice. In the mood for some classic French cuisine? Head to La Poule Au Pot. Craving sushi? That would be L’Abysse au Pavillon Ledoyen. If it’s silver service, excellent seafood, a stellar wine list and, most importantly, unadulterated views of the Eiffel Tower from a super-chic terrace that you’re after, Girafe should be your first port of call.
Parisian socialites have been flocking to Girafe since 2018 when it first opened its doors at the Cité de l’Architecture, a museum of architecture and monumental sculpture located in the 16th arrondissement right on the Trocadero. While the restaurant’s interior is an ode to the 1930s Art Deco complete with cream-coloured banquettes, black and white marble countertops and lush tropical greenery, you’ll want to score a table on the restaurant terrace to enjoy the Girafe experience in all its glory, especially on a crisp spring day in May, which is when we first paid a visit. And what a visit it was.
Girafe is, first and foremost, a seafood restaurant, so it would be rude not to kick things off with half a dozen oysters – virgins can opt for the milder Fines de Claire, while connoisseurs may enjoy everything from the nutty Perle Noire to the more salty Plates de Belon oysters from Brittany. There’s also a great option of platters to share, including the tasting platter comprising six oysters, shrimps, Norway lobster and whelks, and the seafood platter which comes piled high and topped with half a blue lobster.
Encouraging guests to share and designed to be paired with some of the most luxe French grapes in the world, fresh dishes crafted from only the finest ingredients grace the raw section of the menu, which includes everything from tuna tartare with avocado and jalapenos to sea bream ceviche and yellowtail sashimi served with warm sesame oil and ponzu sauce. Opt for the raw fish assortment to sample one of each. There’s more seafood than you can throw a stick at too when it comes to the appetisers and salads – highlights include king prawns sauteed in olive oil and an octopus salad with baby potatoes, dill and sour cream while, for vegetarians, the creamy burratina with colourful tomatoes and ginger olive oil is a true triumph.
Girafe’s next chapter moves onto the mains, and you can’t go wrong with the catch of the day. First choose your fish – we had to make the agonising decision between sea bass, sea bream, turbot, John Dory and sole – and next choose your cooking style (roasted, grilled, meuniére or salt crust). Luckily we were able to sample all three of the delectable sauces – beurre blanc, béarnaise and a virgin sauce of tomato salsa and olive oil – giving us one less decision to make. The end result? Grilled John Dory bathed in a beurre blanc sauce that allowed a truly quintessential French dining experience.
Carnivores not watching the price tag would be wise to plump for the Simmental prime beef for two, while non-meat eaters are more than well catered to with the likes of truffle linguine doused in parmesan cheese and roasted aubergines served alongside black olives, tomatoes, and white and green asparagus.
As to be expected, the service was spectacular throughout, and whether you need help choosing a wine or some well-thought-out menu recommendations, the whole team is more than eager to please. As also to be expected, a meal here errs on the pricier side, but one look at those views and the Instagram-magic they offer and trust us, it’s more than worth the price tag.
Factbox
Address: 1 place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre 75016 Paris
Phone: +331 40 62 70 61
Website: girafe-restaurant.com
