Vive Le Cuisine

Intellectuals mulling revolutionary ideas in the 1800s gathered at Paris’ Grand Vefour, whose hand-painted decor is a classified French monument. A restaurant has been on the site since 1760. The classy Right Bank hot spot, now drawing gourmets who pay at least $100 for a la carte dinners, became the 20th member of the galaxy of three-star eateries chosen for the 2000 Michelin guide. The three-star rating, which means “exceptional cuisine, worth a journey,” guarantees celebrity for chef Guy Martin, and makes reservations a must. “It’s fantastic, it’s absolutely marvelous,” Martin said. “It’s a consecration. I feel like I’m on a cloud and I want to sing and dance.” His delicacies include ravioli stuffed with foie gras in truffle juice, and a desert of mango and lichee in a coconut cookie with vanilla.