Friday, March 23, 2012

unsolicited advice on the Jules Verne

My comment does not directly relate to the current thread on attire, but it may be of some merit. My daughter and I went to the Jules Verne for lunch on New Year%26#39;s Eve -- thinking it would be the normal lunch prices -- NOT! We enjoyed the experience very much -- in fact my profile photo is from that occasion. We went up the private elevator, were greeted beautifully, and seated by a window. From there we had a view of one slice of Paris and we could see the cold tourists on the observation deck one level below. From the restaurant, you are not going to get a panoramic view unless you walk around and annoy other people; the ceiling is low, the space is divided into many rooms; there are lots of gears and structural components in the way. Of course we planned to finish our lunch and then go out on the deck for the view, congratulating ourselves on our private entrance and exit from the observation level. BIG warning: this is not how it works! Once you go out on the deck, you are ejected from the Jules Verne! There is no going back and so you will have to join whatever line there is to go down in the regular elevators. The VIP treatment stops abruptly!!! I had a big misconception about this, and as a result we did not even go outside.





Only other comment -- at the risk of seeming like a complete Philistine -- the portions are quite small -- beautifully presented and tasty, but er, small -- and the pace is so leisurely that you will have spent several hours there by the time you are done. My daughter and I are not big eaters, but after we left, at the first crepe place we saw, we confessed we both still had an appetite and got Nutella crepes! We still laugh about that!





So, it was a once in a lifetime experience (unless you have an expense account) and I am glad we did it -- don%26#39;t be deterred -- just informed!




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%26lt;%26lt;Of course we planned to finish our lunch and then go out on the deck for the view, congratulating ourselves on our private entrance and exit from the observation level. BIG warning: this is not how it works! Once you go out on the deck, you are ejected from the Jules Verne! There is no going back and so you will have to join whatever line there is to go down in the regular elevators. The VIP treatment stops abruptly!!! I had a big misconception about this, and as a result we did not even go outside. %26gt;%26gt;





This was not our experience! We%26#39;ve had dinner at Le Jules Vernes three times. On each occasion, we asked our waiter if we could go outside after dinner then enjoy our coffee and dessert in the cocktail lounge. Each time, our waiter took us to the Maitre d%26#39; who noted our names and showed us how to get outside and then back inside. There%26#39;s a call box with a button and a speaker. You simply press the button, give your name, and the door is unlocked (electronically) so that you can re-enter. After strolling about the second level observation deck, we%26#39;d come back inside and have our dessert and coffee in the cocktail lounge, where the views are the best (toward Place de la Concorde, Pont Alexandre III, Hotel de Ville, Notre Dame...)! We were always surprised that most people would walk past the cocktail lounge without even noticing it, head for the elevator and leave! The cocktail lounge is a terrific place to relax after dinner, with those views, and a wonderful pianist.





Special menus are de rigeur on holidays, and probably listed on the website, so I don%26#39;t think you should have been surprised by that. The menus are also posted at the entrance to the private elevator.




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well, I%26#39;m glad to hear it is not always the cattle chute. Maybe just for the holiday? Regarding the menu, I had made the reservation 2 months before and read the website and all available reviews copiously so I don%26#39;t think I was failing to pay attention. Was not complaining, either, just a caveat to the unwary.

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