Brasserie l'Émil

Christmas eve dining exceeded expectations. They ambience, decore, food, service were 5 star. I didnt know what to expect because I couldn't find much online, but by far one of our most enjoyable meals in paris. Scallops and prolifiterols were excellent.

For Christmas Eve dinner, we selected l’Emil due to its reputation as well as location to the Palais Garnier, location of the Paris Ballet. Our reservation was early, 5:00 pm, to allow a casual dinner and plenty of time to walk to the performance. The food was excellent, and the service was good. The room was decorated beautifully for Christmas Eve, although our table was the one that did not have the beautiful pressed tablecloths, candles, and wonderful decor. Perhaps due to our early reservation, or table for 5, we are not sure. In any event, we enjoyed a wonderful meal and a fine pace. Our family enjoyed a delicious selection of appetizers, entree and dessert.

Modern brasserie, the menu is complete with a mix of tradition and modern cuisine. The place is beautiful and well kept. The service is attentive but there is not pressure. Price is consistent with the quality, the service and the place.

We visited Brasserie Emile in that quiet in-between hour, after lunch and before dinner service. The room was calm, almost hushed, but you could sense the potential. There is something in the walls, a latent energy that suggests the space comes fully alive later in the evening. Even in a quieter setting, the service was attentive and polished. The staff were present without hovering, striking the right balance between discretion and engagement. It felt professional and well managed. We only sampled a few dishes rather than committing to a full meal, but what we tasted was very good. The execution was confident, the flavors clean and well structured. Pricing leans toward the higher end, and expectations follow accordingly. Based on our limited tasting, the quality of the food supports the ambition, though a full dinner would likely give a more complete picture. The crowd appeared relatively international, but not yet overtaken by a certain predictable hype. There is a sense that it could easily tip into that territory in time, but for now it still feels more understated than overexposed. Brasserie Emile leaves the impression of a restaurant with strong foundations and clear potential. Even in a quiet moment between services, it hinted at a livelier, more atmospheric experience waiting to unfold.

My daughter and I had the most beautiful evening at Brasserie l'Emil on our brief visit to Paris from New York. We were warmly welcomed into the intimate and candlelit space by the congenial maitre d' and taken care of by very kind waiters who made spot-on recommendations from the menu. Our meal was delicious and everything was beautifully presented. The space is cozy but not loud, which we appreciated for quiet conversation. I had mentioned in the reservation that we were celebrating my daughter's birthday, and to our delight and surprise, the staff brought out dessert with a candle and sang "Joyeux Anniversaire"! It was an evening we will never forget. We will come back the next time we are in Paris!

WAITER DID NOT WASH HANDS AFTER visiting the BATHROOM. we just finished our meal, visited the loo, & left utterly disgusted…wanting to throw up, as he clearly used the bathroom. i told the gentleman near the hotel/restaurant entrance. so disappointing as we’ve eaten here several times. we noticed service definitely slipped (before the horrific bathroom experience, at the end of the evening). we used to be greeted w/a gentleman who recognized you &/or made you feel special. other issues: 1. we asked for Tap water, waiter brought $10 bottled, & wouldn’t acknowledge HIS mistake, & take it back (common tactic when serving tourists at low brow brasseries, which is quite offensive). 2. waiter was in a constant rush, ie to take our order, push food through, entrees coming before starters were done, etc 3. had the nerve to push US tipping after below average evening. sadly this place has changed. you are rushed through. waiters are loud w/each other vs respecting the quiet atmosphere. professionalism & pride of serving a great meal & experience is absolutely gone. and to hire talent who doesn’t understand the importance of washing your hands, especially in a restaurant, is an absolute deal killer.

The food was excellent — the steak and the pasta were outstanding. Unfortunately, the service was very weak. The waiter didn’t speak any English at all, which made communication difficult, and we were brought the wrong order. We weren’t even able to ask for the menu or get any help. That said, aside from the service issues, it was a top-level dining experience in terms of food.

Food was delicious, service was incredible, had beetroot and avocado capacio, and the filet steak, was cooked perfectly.