Scenes from my 50th Birthday Lunch at Le Grand Vefour in Paris

Pete and Neal took me to Le Grand Vefour for a belated 50th birthday lunch during our recent trip to Paris. It was an incredible once-in-a lifetime experience worth every single calorie/Weight Watchers Point.

Lunch at Le Grand Vefour

Located in the heart of Paris, next to the Gardens of the "Palais Royal," The Restaurant Vefour dates back to 1784.

Pete and Neal

The three-course extravaganza began with a glass of champagne and an amuse bouche of smoked freshwater eel and gazpacho.

Amuse Bouche - Smoked Eel and Gazpacho

For the first course Neal and I had sea bass and shibazuké in terrine, vegetables on a thin avocado purée.

Sea Bass

Rod had the duck liver terrine, pepper seeds, watermelon, fennel and basil.

Rod's App

Pete had the cold young French peas bouillon and ginger, glazed tomatoes with fresh goat cheese and smoked pork chest.

Pea Soup at Grand Vefour

Next up was the main course. Neal had cod fish cooked on its skin, green asparagus, ras el hanout emulsion, red pepper salad perfumed with salted lemon.

Neal's Main

Pete chose the roasted monkfish with tandoori spices, quinoa and carrots as a risotto, with carrot juice.

Rod and I opted for the duckling filet cooked in saké, pakchoi cabbage, Espelette chili juice.

Main Course Duck

Then it was time for cheese. The cart caused heart palpitations for a cheese lover like me. I've never seen anything like it (and may never again.)

Cheese Cart

Our gracious server prepared our selections based on our preferences (goats milk, cow's milk, creamy, mild, strong).

Cheese Plate

Then a selection of sweet treats arrived to hold us over until dessert.

Sweet Treats

For dessert, Neal had strawberries and rhubarb, lemon fondant with a Modena balsamic vinegar reduction.

Rod and Pete went with milk chocolate mousse on hazelnut pastry, caramel ice-cream and Guerande sea salt.

Chocolate Dessert

My dessert, pineapple in tartare and carpaccio, coconut cake, and mango sherbet, came on a tray with flowers and a candle.

Pineapple Dessert with Birthday Flowers and Candle

Next came coffee, chocolates, marshmallows and finally cake.

Coffee and Cake

After close to 3 hours, it was time for a stroll along the Courtyard of the Palais Royal.

Where we then made our way to a cafe for rest and a digestif.

We then spent the next several hours meandering along the streets of Paris, savoring the day. It was an experience I will cherish forever and never forget. A day for counting blessings not calories!