My original plan for this post was to discuss today’s wonderful spring tasting menu at Le Cinq, to wax rhapsodic about countless cocktails at Bar Hemingway. Let’s get that out of the way: Go. Enjoy. Your only regret will be not going.

I’d just like to focus briefly on some of the most wonderful service to which I’ve been treated on my travels. Granted, great service is to be expected at Le Cinq and Bar Hemingway—especially given the prices—but the service we’ve received everywhere on this holiday has been superb.

Perhaps “whimsical” is the wrong word to describe the attitude of Le Cinq’s staff, but I can’t think of a better one. Certainly not patronising. We were treated with such graciousness and humour that the fabulous, decadently rich meal at times was briefly forgotten for the laughter and smiles on all our faces. Had the food lacked, the service alone would still garner my recommendation; that the food was as delicious as it was artfully plated only gilds that lily.

Colin Field wasn’t behind the bar tonight but his presence was felt. The cocktails were perfect and the staff entertained and educated. Our friends D&S were as smitten by their first visit to Bar Hemingway as we were on ours: they didn’t want to leave. So a couple rounds turned into multiple rounds, and we eventually wandered home with wonderful recommendations for little-known yet beloved restaurants and the best Normandy calvados to take home.

Have you ever been experienced? Well I have . . .