4. Stuffed cabbage leaves, L'Arpège
Vegetable master Alain Passard opened L'Arpège in 1986 and received his third Michelin star within a decade -- a remarkable achievement by French Michelin standards. Three wholly organic gardens around France provide produce that is harvested every morning and served in dishes at lunch or dinner that same day.
"The most beautiful cookery book was written by nature itself," says Passard, so diners can expect only the very best of more than 500 varieties of vegetables grown by his team to make it to his plates -- as well as the finest selection of fish and meat.
L'Arpège's Winter in the Garden menu at a cool 320 euros ($348) per person includes sublime stuffed cabbage leaves -- described more enticingly in French as "chou farci."
L'Arpège, 84 Rue de Varenne, 75007 Paris; +33 1 4705 0906