Tour d’Argent - The Famous Duck That Doesn’t Duck Around

Tour d’Argent, the legendary Parisian restaurant, is a gastronomic institution. Founded in 1582, it has been serving up exquisite cuisine for over four centuries. But what really sets it apart is the famous dish that has made it famous: Canard à la Presse, aka pressed duck.

To prepare this dish, the restaurant employs a specially trained waiter called a “duck presser.” This person is responsible for taking a whole duck, plucking it, removing its organs, and cooking it into a rich broth. Then they place the duck into a press – a massive, 200-year-old contraption – which extracts all the juices from the bird. These juices are then mixed with the broth to create a sauce that is poured over the duck meat.

The dish, as you can imagine, is a showstopper. And it should be – it comes with a price tag of around $200 per person. But fear not, mere mortals, for there is a way to experience this culinary wonder without breaking the bank: order it à la portion instead of the full meal.

But what is it that makes Tour d’Argent’s pressed duck so special? Is it the meticulous preparation, the years of tradition, or the exquisite ingredients? Well, yes, but also – it’s the duck.

The restaurant sources its ducks from a single farm in the southwest of France. These birds are allowed to roam freely, feasting on the region’s finest grains, herbs, and insects. They are treated with the utmost care and respect, which may explain why they taste so darn good.

But let’s not forget the other reason Tour d’Argent is a cultural icon: its list of over 450,000 wines. Yes, you read that correctly. This cellar is home to some of the rarest, most sought-after wines in the world. And if you really want to splurge, you can order a bottle of the restaurant’s own label – a 1929 Château Lagrange that will set you back a mere $19,000.

So if you find yourself in Paris and you’re looking for a meal that will stay with you long after you’ve left the table – and depleted your savings account – head to Tour d’Argent. Just be prepared to duck some bills.