It’s been over two months since I’ve been there and I’m still thinking about this restaurant. Sure, two months doesn’t come close to the 24 years of thinking about the Cashew Chicken at the Royal in Misawa Japan, or the 15 years or so remembering the barbeque sauce at Lonnie’s in Santa Clara before he moved to Saratoga and ruined the recipes that made him great.

Several of you have tasted my culinary efforts in our Iron Chef competitions. Others have tried the various desserts that I’ve brought for potluck functions. I’ve always considered myself an above average cook. I would not be allowed to wash the pans at Le Papillon. Simply put, Le Papillon may have been the best meal I’ve ever had.

We started our adventure with the “Lobster Bisque with an Asparagus Timbale.” I’ve had lobster bisque at several restaurants — the Chart House in Los Gatos and Fiore Steakhouse in the Rio in Las Vegas. The bisque at the Chart House was pretty good and I didn’t think any lobster bisque would beat what I had in Las Vegas, but I was wrong. The presentation was amazing. The soup surrounded the asparagus timbale, and a single asparagus stalk stood in the middle. The effect was an asparagus island in the middle of a lobster ocean. It was very artistic. The soup was wonderful and the asparagus flavor matched very well.

For our next course we had to decide between the escargot and the “Pan Seared Foie Gras with Roasted Pear, Lavender Reduction and Black Truffle Coulis”. Since Janet had already tried the escargot a couple of years ago (and said that Le Papillon is the only place she would eat it because they were so incredible and everyplace else would be a disappointment) we decided to try something new with the foie gras. This was my first experience with it. It had a smooth texture, nice flavor and matched well with the roasted pear.

The main course was one of the specials handed to us with the menu: veal topped with butter-poached lobster. I believe the sauce was cognac based. Simply put — excellent. Either the veal or the lobster would have been perfect for the entrée. Together they were spectacular. The veal was tender with a fantastic flavor that went well with the sauce. The lobster was the best that I’ve ever eaten. This dish allowed you to have three distinct tastes — veal alone, lobster alone, or veal and lobster together. There were several entrées that caught my eye, but I’m glad I picked this one.

Throughout the meal, between each course, we were various samples to try — halibut mouse, some chocolate item, among others — and these were also very good.

Finally, we finished with the “Soufflé Grand Marnier For Two”. It was very good. However, I would have added toasted almonds for a little crunch and flavor, but it was still good (I have to knock something, don’t I?)

The service was fantastic. You never noticed the waiter or busboy. But when you decided you wanted one of them, they suddenly appeared. It never failed.

If you plan to go, dress nice. The sign out front says “Proper Attire Required”. Also leave your cell phone at home. No cell phones are allowed in the dining area. And finally, make sure that your credit card can absorb the hit. Le Papillon is expensive (you can’t do this every week), but worth it.