Cantonese Decadence at LiLi, The Peninsula Hotel, Paris

Bringing new heights of excellence to Chinese cuisine in Paris, Lili at The Peninsula Paris was a culinary experience that won’t be forgotten for some time.

Named after the 1920s Chinese opera singer, Lili promises a gastronomic experience in the purest of Cantonese traditions. Set in one of the most beautiful hotels not just in Paris but in the World, it’s really a restaurant that many Parisians love to keep a secret. Not just filled with hotel guests, we visited on a mid week day, and by 10pm the restaurant was bustling.

We arrived in time for a signature cocktail in the Kléber Bar, most important when visiting The Peninsula. Think all that shines, full opulence, Parisian style. Oak panels, gilded mouldings and high ceilings.

The bar offers a carefully curated cocktail list as well as Vietnamese wines honouring the unique heritage of the bar which is a few steps from the restaurant on the ground floor. Watch locals pop by for a glass, and first dates unfold at the bar.

At the end of the hallway at the entrance to Lili, you are greeted by a visiting artwork by artist Chen Man (more on this installation in a previous post here). Turn right and walk into another world.

Lili is the perfect special occasion restaurant, romantic, beautifully lit, tables offer either total seclusion (ask for one of the nooks in the entrance opposite the private dining room) or sit in the heart of the restaurant where you experience the staff executing perfect service, and theatre worthy performances when a table orders a whole peking duck which is carved at your table.

Perhaps begin with some appetisers, chilled scallops with coriander and chilli, or beef shin marinated in five spices. We started with a classic wonton soup and let our waiter lead us to the right dishes based on our desire for spice and of course some peking duck. It was suggested we take a whole peking duck (128€) which would be first carved at our table for spring rolls, and then prepared for a second spicy fried duck dish with a side of Singapore style noodles and pak choi, heaven.

For our dessert again we were led by our waiters suggestion, the house classics, a trio of a baked egg tart, deep fried sesame ball filled with custard and a chilled mango pudding. A truly indulgent night at Lili, and a restaurant i’ve been recommending to friends ever since our evening last month.

LiLi at The Peninsula Paris, 9 Avenue Kléber, 75116 Paris

LWSY was a guest of the hotel in November 2016