7.45pm a taxi arrived promptly to take us to the restaurant which the concierge had arranged earlier.

I enjoyed being a little late arriving for our 8pm reservation because we were right underneath the Eiffle Tower in heavy traffic as the 5 minutes on the hour lights twinkled into action, breathtaking  :)

We pull into the parking area on the south side and a valet gentleman opened the door and lead us through the crowds still queuing to ride the lifts to the top of the Tower. I was surprised the entrance did turn some heads, dressed up on such a cold night.

We entered the reception area we had been in earlier. Checked in with the clerk and waited on a bench for the private elevator to descend to take us up to The Jules Verne restaurant on the 2nd floor.

We follow the lift operator up a few stairs and into the private elevator.  A glowing purple and pink light emanated from the carpeted floor. The intimate view up and around the tower as it ascended was special.

You arrive to leave your coats with the charming clerk.

Swiftly you are ushered past the bar and around the curving panoramic dining room  to your table so as to not disturb the other guests.

We had the window seats in the corner by one of the lift wheels.
We looked out over the stunning views of the Seine, Trocadero, Arc de Triomphe and La Defense

The interior decor is subtle, dark, calming and the lighting mellow

The artistic plates are upside down when you arrive.

The Maitre D welcomes you and turns over the plates whilst handing you the menus.

The menus are very politely different, the ladies being without the pricelist.

view from our table over Trocadero, it's fun to watch the Bateaux cruise boats go by on the Seine

this is what the same view looks like by day.

Attention to detail, even the butter is formed in the shape of the Eiffle Tower with a J / for freshly baked bread

We were given a couple of extra tasting dishes posh cheesey puffs
and a huge entree of froie gras with a creme topping

We had a fabulous Chablis with our seafood starters and
main courses included Bresse chicken and Sea bass
both dishes came with oodles of fresh truffles

Every hour on the hour for 5 minutes the tower sparkles and it's really bright from inside, strobe effect!

Refreshing hazelnut icecream with our desserts

Fabulous Choccy desserts :)

The famous Signature chocolate praline Tower Bolt dessert

It reminded me of the exquisite flavours and textures of the French patisserie dessert I had in Singapore topped with the same copper powder :)

  extra desserts, marshmallows, choc shortbread, macaroons and choc ganache.

They brought me an espresso, with a side order of warmed milk should I need it.

The lift button is in the shape of the "Tower bolt"

After the meal you have the option to descend the stairs past the kitchen window and go outside to take in the views on the 2nd level.

looking up at the Eiffle Tower from the 2nd level

The views are so beautiful, lights shimmering across the city. The Grande Roue all lit up :)

You press a button to get back inside before taking the private lift to ground level.

You receive a treat when you collect your coats, a bag of delicious honey, nut and lemon Madeleines

Whilst we waited we wandered around the first section of the now empty restaurant, looking out over the other views of Paris. They were happy to let us soak up the ambience.

with the lovely ambient glow of the unique lights on each table.

Empty tables overlooking the golden dome of Invalides

No candles in here but equally romantic in a private moment for just us. :)

waiting for the private lift to ascend

The kind lift operator took our photo in the private elevator.

At the bottom you wait in the warm until your taxi arrives.

It was a little daunting to be in a Michelin star restaurant, and one so famous as this, but the staff were so accommodating and friendly they put us at ease. The amazing views and lovely company made for a most memorable evening. There wasn't any rush to get us out at the end of the evening, and we even asked for a pause between main and dessert, which wasn't an issue. The cuisine was amazing and plentiful.

The whole relaxing experience was outstanding.

The valet lead us to the waiting taxi. A hawker was trying to off load his rose onto us, but it had seen better days, his persistance was taken with a sense of humour.

The taxi driver was cool driving us along the Seine down Ave de New York, turning left at Avenue du Marechal Gallieni, with the splendid gold dome of Invalides beyond the picturesque Alexandre III bridge to our right. For once I wasn't concerned about the tourist route back to the hotel. Paris by night, there's nothing like it, past Ave Winston Churchill and Place Clemenceau, spending some time on the Champs Elysee admiring the lights down Ave Montaigne and the Arc de Triomphe was worth the extra fayre.

Back at the hotel way past midnight we take some souvenir portraits in the hotel reception.

I am so lucky to have been spoilt in Paris on my special birthday, with warm thanks to my Grozzie for making it all possible. :)