"With historic Paris dining institutions, it’s easy to wonder whether you’re coming for the French food or the myth of the place itself. In the case of La Tour d'Argent, a fine dining temple that inspired Ratatouille, you’re coming for both—and for the city views, gold-star service, and a striking blue dining room with enough Christofle tableware to make you feel like royalty. The tasting menus skew traditional without feeling boring or dated, and the zhuzhed up plating highlights old favorites, like the Frédéric Delair pressed duck and the sole filet in white wine sauce. Whether you go for the fixed menu or dine à la carte (the pricier option), be sure to have servers wheel over the tome listing over 300,000 wine bottles. If it feels intimidating, have the sommelier make spot-on recommendations, including which digestif you should follow the sweet crêpes, which are flambéed tableside." - sara lieberman, lindsey tramuta