Plate With A View: Jules Verne Paris

Most visitors to the Eiffel Tower refresh themselves at one of the cafés on the 187ft-high first level. If, however, you want your cuisine to be as haute as the view, the Michelin-starred Jules Verne takes you up 376ft via its own private lift into a refined world of starched tablecloths, sommeliers, an army of waiters, and, most importantly, mesmerising views.

THE PLATE

Most visitors to the Eiffel Tower refresh themselves at one of the cafés on the 187ft-high first level. If, however, you want your cuisine to be as haute as the view, the Michelin-starred Jules Verne takes you up 376ft via its own private lift into a refined world of starched tablecloths, sommeliers, an army of waiters, and, most importantly, mesmerising views.

The menu, designed by head chef Alain Reix, is adventurous and presented with exquisite care. Dishes include warm lobster fricassee, scallops, veal sweetbreads, foie gras with langoustines, steamed crab with shrimp cream, charolais fillet of beef, turbot, swordfish. The chef in charge of desserts does magical things with chocolate, ice cream and crêpes. But choose wisely as you are asked to order dessert at the start.

THE VIEW

The interior is a bit on the austere side, with everything in grey and black. But with Paris and its environs at your feet, you won't be paying much attention. The north-west side of the restaurant will give you far-reaching views of the Palais de Chaillot, the Trocadéro gardens, the Arc de Triomphe, Hausmann's 19th-century Parisian architecture and, further westwards, the Bois de Boulogne and La Défense. A table on the north-east side gives you a wider view of the Seine and the eastern side of Paris stretching towards Sacré Coeur.

THE BILL

If you're feeling flush, then by all means order à la carte and pay at least €50 (£35) for a main course. The set lunch menu is more reasonable - the bill for two (including a bottle of water and coffees) came to €122 (£87). Booking well in advance is essential: at least two weeks for lunch and up to four months for dinner.

Jules Verne, Eiffel Tower, Paris 75007 (00 33 1 45 55 61 44; www.tour-eiffel.fr)