Vagenende
142, boulevard Saint-Germain
Metro Odeon
You will be charmed by the magnificent art nouveau décor of this former brewery founded in 1904 and now listed as a historic building. Located in one of the liveliest districts of Paris, this exceptional establishment delights both eye and palate with its wood panelling, pottery and bevelled mirrors, as well as its wonderful food featuring traditional French dishes……..An Absolute must when you visit Paris!
Such is the review from the Paris Gourmet Guide so without hesitation, we phoned for reservation. We were glad we did because as soon as we showed ourselves at the door, the doorman had to call Monsieur Director (Mr Manager) who seems to have the sole power to seat any customer.
Mr Manager in his splendidly dignified suit came, looked at his list, ticked our name and led us to a really nice corner spot, the reward, we guessed, for booking early.
As soon as we sat down and until we left, customers in equally elegant attires just never stopped arriving and the poor Monsieur Director, despite the obvious duty overload could still keep his refined and measured bearing guiding people to their seats.
And that was only a Thursday! This restaurant is reaping good business! We actually saw how almost all of the tables were filled up twice over in just one night!
We were really enjoying the sight of all these sophisticated and refined activity coming from both the restaurant staff and the customers! The hubby originally suggested a dinner concert or dance due to the importance of the evening but I was more interested in the experience of fine dining in one of the elegant restaurants in Paris. And there’s also a bonus. The building is listed as a historic monument! I made the right choice and hubby was giving me his silent applause. We may not have danced the night but the experience will be one for the books!
The service:
A different waiter for each section of the restaurant is assigned to take food orders. Another one, the sommelier, or wine waiter takes care of the wine orders. Hubby is a wine connoisseur himself, thank goodness! I may at times still get tipsy or not at all but I must have already developed a taste for wine that I can proudly say i can now differentiate a full-bodied from one that just tastes like vinegar! Well, who doesn’t? 
He ordered the Sancerre blanc (white), a choice which the food waiter couldn’t help but strike a conversation with him, extolling the virtues of the Sauvignon grapes grown in the village of Sancerre from which the wine got its name, and the composition of the hilly soil - a mixture of limestone, flint and clay that renders the wine its crisp, dry and fruity flavour. These French waiters are so passionate and extraordinary! They know their wine and a course on wine appreciation actually forms part of their long and arduous training.
Btw, your assigned waiter is supposed to re-fill your glasses. Hubby was about to do it himself and was caught by surprise when the same waiter just appeared out of nowhere!
We were observing another man coming out of the kitchen, he must be the chef’s assistant who comes out every now and then with a tray of different plates of main dish or dessert, places it on a service table then leaves. A waiter then picks up the plates and distributes them to the correct customer. All these, mind you, are performed with impressively steadfast grace! I wonder, they must know that the customers are watching them so they must act like actors of a film!
Monsieur Director’s duty meanwhile is not only limited to looking after seating arrangements, he also has to help with the distribution of food when all the waiters are too busy to do it. The name of the game: never keep the customer waiting!
And of course, the star of the show, the FOOD! It was excellent, nicely presented, a real delight for both sense of taste and sight.
This is French dining at its best! Try it! It’s not too expensive as you think! For a couple, you can enjoy this elegant 3-course meal, expensive wine, coffee plus impeccable service for a minimum of 100euros!
