Le Clarence

This lavish 1884 private mansion just off the Champs-Élysées is graced with a luxurious interior that embodies the essence of French art de vivre. In the wake of Christophe Pelé, Andrea Capasso has embraced the house tradition of unfettered, yet disciplined cuisine strewn with bold notes. A keen surf and turf champion, the chef slips Italian twists into what he calls ‘satellite’ dishes, while savvily developing a single theme within each menu. The wine list is enough to make your head spin; one of its two sections is devoted to the owner's prestigious wines. The lounges on the upper floors are just the ticket for a relaxed drink before dinner or coffee afterwards.