Paris Children: Le Menu Enfant Introduces French Cuisine

Family Travel Forum's European adviser reviews Paris' family-friendly and Michelin rated restaurant "Le Cap Vernet."

The next time that little Max's and Maxine's visit Paris, you must have the weekend lunch designed especially for you by Guy Savoy, two-star Michelin chef. Saturdays and Sundays at his restaurant, Le Cap Vernet (82, Avenue Marceau, 75008 Paris), you will be treated to a menu enfant named "Découverte-des-Saveurs." It is real French food that opens the eyes and palates of little ones to the delicacy and charm of dishes they will love.

The children's menu changes with the season to feature local produce and typical recipes. On Sunday, there's special entertainment -- a magician -- all included with the price of a 3-course meal.

In the shadow of the Arc de Triomphe, little gourmands will feast upon such dishes as pumpkin soup seasoned with fresh herbs, roasted free-range chicken from Bresse (France's best) served with M. Savoy's incomparable mashed potatoes, creamy ravioli, and a custard pie or chocolate cake with creamy warm chocolate inside called fondant chocolat au pralin-Feuilleté served with crème anglaise chicorée.

Between courses, you can all test your olfactory acuity by sniffing the assortment of scents designed by Jean Lenoir, renowned for his nez de vin. Each little diner goes home with Le Cap Vernet's 'Tasted and Savored' certificate.

Few French restaurants (or, for that matter, any restaurants) on the face of the earth make such an effort to awaken and educate children's sensibilities and sensitivities in such a gentle and delicious way. Guy Savoy and his team are firmly convinced that France's cultural patrimony will be in the hands of these children soon. It is a richness to be shared and a knowledge and appreciation to be developed by the young and passed along.

Might you have more than a weekend for Paris? For several years, M. Savoy has invited young students from The American School of Paris to dine at one of his bistros free of charge. Needless to say, the children, dressed in Sunday best, have been delighted (and ever so well-behaved and well-spoken), with a "Oui, merci" when seconds came around.

Perhaps a sabbatical year for you? It's a thought...

Children should R.S.V.P. to Le Cap Vernet, 82, ave Marceau, 75008, Paris, France; tel 33 1 47 20 20 40.