Paris Fine Dining Club dinner at Gallopin

Gallopin features freshly prepared, classic Paris brasserie cuisine in a stunning turn-of-the-century setting, which has been a favorite haunt of investment bankers for over a century. You are transported to an enchanting Paris circa 1900. After the Paris brasserie was first opened in 1876, the owner created what stockbrockers would come to call the "Grand Bar": the first Anglo-American bar in Paris was born. The revolving door came from New York, the bar and the Victorian mahogany paneling from Cuba and London. Gallopin was renovated for the Universal Exposition of 1900.

The restaurant features a large mahogany bar, brass chandeliers and rails, and, best of all, some remarkable stained glass murals. With their soft pink and yellow hues, the murals cast a warm, dreamy light over everything and even open onto a garden. Mirrors amplify the effect. This is atmospheric dining at its best. Click here to see pictures of this vintage work of decoration.

Gallopin is the atmospheric brasserie that the nostalgia-prone go questing for in Paris and only rarely hit upon. You want a place with intimate dark wood paneling, mirrors, brass rails, stained glass and well-spaced tables where the waiters wear black vests and long white aprons? Quest no further.

The delights could have stopped there, but they didn?t. The kitchen uses freshly prepared market ingredients in elegantly presented traditional dishes, adding just a zest of the eclectic and modern to old favorites. The rack of lamb comes with a creamy, garlicky gratin dauphinois, while the meltingly tender Chateaubriand with a tangy pepper sauce is served with home-made fries, plus the best string beans in Paris. There are also Fresh seafood platters, such as monkfish stuffed with thyme, lemon, and tomato confit. Desserts, all mouth-watering, include Belle Hélène (a pear doused in hot chocolate sauce) and French-toast style brioche with salted butter caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream.

Our dinner will cost 48 euro, including 3 courses, aperitif, wine, cafe and the final tip (payable by sending a cheque in advance to the organiser).