Le Dali, Le Meurice's elegant gourmet restaurant, serving fine French cuisine

Le Dali, one of the restaurants of Paris's most famous palace, Le Meurice, and its imposing decor by Philippe Starck , is unlike any other. Paying homage to the world of painter Salvador Dali in a surreal, offbeat style, the restaurant is an impressive cocoon, all gilt and drapery.

And yet, lunch and dinner are served here without fuss, with attentive but discreet service. Don't be intimidated and dare to take the plunge at the Dali; from breakfast to dinner, including afternoon tea and Sunday brunch, this is the perfect place to (re)discover great French cuisine, rewritten and brilliantly executed by chef Clémentine Bouchon.

Clémentine Bouchon imagines her French cuisine to be as local and seasonal as possible, with a philosophy of 'farm to plate ' products sourced from small local producers and passionate farmers who bring to light the finest products of the French terroir.

The tables are set with the great classics of French gastronomy , the stuff of dreams for Parisians past and present. However, at Le Dali, it's possible to alternate between timeless palace dishes, bistro specialties and gastronomic creations, such as the comforting straw onion soup au gratin with 34-month Comté cheese (€39), followed by a magnificent sole meunière (€126) to die for, after being dexterously lifted by a waiter in front of our eyes, as is customary in fine restaurants.

Similarly, the more naughty will opt for the very chic raviole of beef and duck foie gras, accompanied by a fine pot-au-feu broth (39€), before returning to simplicity with a choice croque-monsieur (48€), a dish that has never left the menu of the capital's palaces, and continues to melt the hearts of young and old alike.

Another unmissable reason to visit Dali is Cédric Grolet - probably the world's most famous French pastry chef - who not only has his own patisserie, but is also in charge of the restaurant's sweet score, with his unmissable sculpted fruits that can be enjoyed à la carte and during Sunday brunch. At the moment, the Kiwi (€28) and the Pistachio (€28) are two must-tastes for all sweet tooths.

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Le Dali is undeniably a timeless place, as elegant as it is welcoming, and well worth an extended stop - if only to admire its impressive ceiling hanging, signed by Philippe Starck's daughter. Where art meets haute cuisine.