cambe

My sister mum and I are going to Paris 25th Sept and they want to eat in an authentic Paris Restaurant. A friend in work suggested Le Grand Colbert. Reviews are mixed. Has anyone been there or can you suggest a better alternative?

Thanks

Helen

Patrick

Not trying to be smart here, but aren't all restaurants in Paris authentic? (other than the Starbucks or here and there a Hard Rock Cafe --is there one?)

Or do they have something else in mind -- like a particular region's food -- Alsace or Provence perhaps? Are they looking more for a "grand" dining experience, or more for old fashioned regional French food?

Grand Colbert is highly rated and I'm sure is very good. How much do you want to pay? I can't think of a single bad word I've ever heard about Talivent.

cambe

Patrick,

OK perhapes 'authentic' wasn't a good choice of word. What I mean is an old fashioned Parisian brasserie.

Budget around 45e per person.

Helen

grandmere

Wasn't it in "French Kiss" with Meg Ryan, or perhaps more recently, the film with Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson, or am I completely off base?

grandmere

I'd recommend Le Train Bleu, at the Gare de Lyon, with gorgeous turn-of-the-century decor; a prix fixe comes in at just under your budget. www.le-train-bleu.com

cambe

Grandmere.

It was 'Somthing's got to give'and yes it was Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson. However it look great but the reviews are a bit mixed. thanks for the suggestion of Le Train Bleu - looks great and super menu.

It's on my list

Thanks

helen

ira

Hi cambe,

Take a look at these.
http://www.flobrasseries.com/resa/en/

If you reserve online you get 15% off.

sfowler

Le Grand Colbert is wonderful. Completly Parisian and well worth the $$$. We came late without reservations [NOT recommended] and actually got seated at THE table from "Something's Got to Give" -- we were surrounded by media people according to our local informants and were able to inspect some well-done face lifts! Food and service werfe very nice indeed!

cambe

Thank you all

I have booked Le Grand Colbert for one evening but looking at Le Train Bleu and Ira's brasserie web site for others.

Will report back

Thanks once again

Helen

StCirq

Bofinger is another classic brasserie where you could dine well for your budget.

Patrick

ira, I've noticed that 15% deal for Flo Brasseries (which includes Bofinger and other really good ones). One thing to note however is that the discount only applies to ordering ala carte, not for set menus, which usually will get you a larger than 15% discount anyway. Of course, it all depends on what you want to order, but I've often found the set menus in those places in particular are great value. I can't seem to get beyond the one I do at Bofinger which includes a soup or salad, my favorite -- steak tartare -- and a choice of a dessert.

Corky

Bofinger does not deserve the continuing
accolades that many regulars heap upon it .
My family of 5 had an internet reservation that seemed to suprise everyone when we presented ourselves in May'05 and "freebie"special drinks were quickly dispensed to us to try to alleviate the complete break down of disorder that prevailed when we arrived.The lady I had contacted and had confirmed our reservations was there on our arrival and seemed in a daze.
The food was not up to the standard that we enjoyed at the Balzar the previous year and it was a total disapointment for other members of our family who were visiting Paris for the first time. All said and done a very disapointing perfomance from Flo who you would think by this time would have something as simple as a reservation under control.

Underhill

For a very authentic Paris bistro head to Au Petit Marguery, in the 13th. The food is terrific, the ambience warm and friendly, and the price for a prix fixe menu is reasonable. This restaurant is always on our list when we're in Paris.

elaine

I would not judge a restaurant or a hotel simply on the basis of a one-time error in a reservation (and it seems they tried to make it up to you with drinks, which I think is a reasonable effort.) Of course none of us wants to be the victim of the mistake, but any organization is entitled to one mistake, no system is perfect, and it's how they respond to their error that matters more, imo.

The quality of the food is of course a different matter.

ira

>The food ... was a total disapointment for other members of our family who were visiting Paris for the first time.<

I had that same problem - everywhere we went.

aduren

L'impasse in the Marais

Tinling

It is very frustrating to see a bad review after you have read many good reviews. I had no sooner selected Bofinger for my choice of a classic Paris bistro, and made an on line reservation, when I got the posting that "it was a total disappointment" by corky. That caused me to go back to review what others have said recently, and I couldn't find any one else who criticized it, here or on other forums and reviews.
I'm hoping that Corky just had a bad night caused by an error in the handling of the reservations.