toledo

I am taking my wife to Paris for her 60th birthday. As a surprise, my children and their partners and a couple of friends, ten altogether, will meet up with us on her actual birthday. I was planning for all of us to have dinner together. I have looked at the Eiffel Tower dinner and the Seine dinner cruises but wondered if, a) anyone can recommend either of these, or b) am I better going to a restaurant.

schnauzer

I don't think the Seine dinner cruise would be a good idea, the general consenus is to eat first then do the cruise, so rule that one out. Which restaurant at the Eiffel Tower are you thinking of? The Jules Verne needs to be booked in advance (so I gather) but I have heard it is very good. There are many first class restaurants in Paris - depends on your budget, for 10 you probably don't want to spend $400 per head!! but then again maybe you can. When are you going? What about a long leisurely lunch? You can see the views during the days, yes I know the lights are pretty too. Remember some of the top restaurants are nearly price during the lunch time. This is a tip from Sarah Gustafson, book the lunch, get the same quality food, get the daytime view, half (roughly) the price, particularly if you have the fixed menu. Which area are you staying in, you probably don't want to be trekking half way across the city afterwards, so find a good restaurant reasonably close to where you are staying. Or at least in a central point if people are coming together from all over. My husband ate at Lucas Carton a few years ago, there were 8 of them and it cost over $6000 aussie dollars. A very expensive night, fortunately he wasn't paying!

Gretchen

I don't think Jules Verne would be that much even for dinner.
You might think about Bofinger for a nice dinner.
Would NOT do the dinner cruise.
For my husband's 70th birthday last fall we (8 of us) had a wonderful dinner at our favorite Paris restaurant--Le Florimond.
My birthday was alsothat week and they "surprised" me with a dinner at La Procope. It was a total fiasco/disaster, thanks to the inept service/staff at what is supposed to be a wonderful restaurant. We could have gone toJules Verne!!

valtor

I recommend Grand Vefeur, near Palace Royal. It has very nice interior, splendid decoration. Very good service and food. Reservation is needed.

The best wishes, congratulation and all the best!

toledo

Thanks for the comments so far.
We are not food gourmets, we are staying at the hotel l'elysee which is not far from the Champs Elysee, in early December. I would like a restaurant where we can have a good time without having to pay a fortune. A long lunch may be a probability as my young grandson may be in the company.

grandmere

I recently celebrated a Big Birthday at Le Train Bleu, the turn-of-the-century-beautifully- decorated restaurant at the Gare de Lyon.
My cousin ordered a bottle of champagne, and when the staff found out that it was my birthday, they treated us all to an after dinner liqueur and said that I could have any dessert I wanted. They planted a little candle in my trio of sorbets.

I'd been there before and chose it for my little celebration; it's a big, gorgeoous place and IMO would be perfect for your group of 10, and it doesn't break the bank. The food is good.

What a wonderful surprise for your wife!

grandmere

Meant to give website for LTR:

www.le-train-bleu.com

grandmere

and somehow hit the "R" instead of the "B" for LTB? Geesh!

ssd1166

I have to disagree with Le Train Bleu.. very touristy, food is average..Le Florimand would be a better choice for a small intimate pariesn dinner,, or Le Bastide Odeon in the 6th, wonderful food. delight full staff, fantastic chocolate cake .. a gem.

ira

Hi T,

Great surprise.

If ambience is more important than food, I think Le Train Bleu would be a very good idea for a party of 10.

Menus from 43 to 234E/pp.
They have a children's menu, as well.

In December, you coould take a sunset cruise on the Seine (BYOB) and have dinner afterward.

The Gare de Lyon is on the no. 1 metro line, which runs down the Champs Elysee.

Happy Birthday to Mrs T.

PALLI

I did a very similar thing by going to Paris for one of my wifes birthdays.We dined at the "Jules Verne" restaurant which is touristy and not cheap but it is very good, the memory will live with your wife forever.Don't delay in getting it booked.

grandmere

I disagree about LTB being so touristy; both times I have been there, there have been many French people. Neither time were there English-speaking people at the tables around us. I think the food, whereas not innovative, is above average.

Underhill

For a wonderful long lunch, head to Les Ambassadeurs in the Hôtel Crillon. The room is beautiful and the food of the 2* category.

Lunch is less expensive than dinner at most Paris restaurants; so you can sample some of the best without breaking the bank. Some others to consider: Le Violon d'Ingres (1*), Au Petit Marguery (a family-owned bistro in the 13th that has true joie de vivre), and Ferme St-Simon (in the 7th).