We'll be in Paris for 5 days in May and want to experience the full multi-course dinner thing, but don't want to spend a fortune. Any recommendations?

Anyone?

Colleen: <BR> <BR>The search engine is not working very well at the moment, but I would suggest you try a search on 'paris restuarants" to get a massive amount of recommendations which I intend to use on my next visit to paris in May. <BR> <BR>Two of my personal haunts are "Barcane" in the Marais, Thoumieux near Invalides. <BR> <BR>Regards

We ate at a restaurant called Mediterrane (? spelling) which was wonderful. We ate outside under a little canopy with candles and had great service. It was the best meal we had in Paris - everything from the appetizer to the dessert was superior in presentation and taste, and the service was excellent. It was also very reasonable.

Purchase the April issue of Gourmet and the May issue of Bon Appetit - they both focus on Paris

Colleen, <BR>Just last week we dined at "L'Affriole", a wonderful husband and wife team, creative bistrot on Rue Malar #7 (7th) where we enjoyed stunningly good food, as Chris, Fodor's Paris editor, in his hosted Forum promised we would. I'm told the verb "affriloler" means "to seduce, to charm" (if my sources are correct!), and this little bistro did indeed seduce us. I went to Paris armed with reviews from Bon A., F&W, Gourmet, Patricia Wells, Bonjour Paris, Belle France, NY Times, Cheap Eats, Zagat and all of the fine Fodor folks (we *really* wanted to eat well!), and "L'Affriole" was by far the best of the many recs we tried in 8 days (2 recs per day!-but lots of walking!) and not at all the most expensive. We both chose the 4-course "formule". The menu is market driven, ("cuisine du marche" sp?) so it changes daily depending on what's freshest at the market, and it keeps going on and on with truly original dishes. Our meal started with addictive homemade country bread and seductive olive butter (a real calorie buster) along with a plate of tiny appetizers, then came the starter, the main course, a cheese course (two exquisite whole rounds of southwestern goat cheese accompanied by finely dressed greens (walnut oil dressing), then dessert (I had the orange souffle) along with 2 individual pots de creme (one chocolate, one caramel) as an extra little dessert, then coffee, plus a plate of whole walnuts served with a nutcracker (to cleanse the palate) and candied dried apricots to end the 2 1/2 hr. repast. With a bottle of really fine house Bordeauxn (only 80 ff), our bill came to about $75 (524 ff). We dropped by late one afternoon 3 days in advance and made reservations with the Atibards, the chef himself and his wife, who runs the prettily and kind of whimsically decorated Art Deco d. room. And when we arrived at 9, to our surprise we didn't find ourselves dining exclusively with our fellow Americans (as had happened at Le P'tit Troquet the night before and at many other highly recommended bistros), but instead we were surrounded by large groups of fashionably dressed, animated natives (a real Parisian evening out), although there were 2 other American couples sitting next to us on the banquette in the back rm. I suppose you could call this a type of segregation, putting the Americans together in the back, but we applauded it and were delighted by it, because we were finally able to dine among the locals! We 3 lone American couples were served by a charming, friendly and amusing waiter who spoke excellent English but also encouraged us to try out our limited French. Madame Atibard attended to her regular customers. I really urge you to try "L'Affriole", but if you go, be prepared to spend the entire evening. It's a culinary experience to be savored (but yet so affordable), a destination in and of itself. I think this is your perfect Parisian full multi-course dinner thing without spending a fortune, and the chef has trained under some of the best in France. Its rating in the 2001 Zagat guide was calculated before the Allards took over the helm in '96 and doesn't at all accurately reflect this chef's amazing talents. I can hardly wait to return! <BR>

Maribel-great post! Would love to read about your other restaurant / bistro adventures.It's responses like yours that make this site worthwhile.Thank You.

L'epi Dupin in the sixth, L'Alcazar in the sixth and Rotisserie D'en Face in the sixth. Just came back and all were fabulous. E mail me directly and I'll tell you how to make reservations on line. <BR> <BR>Marianne

Oh Maribel ....what a wonderful description. I'll be in Paris in a couple of weeks and "L'Affriole" will be number one on my list! <BR> <BR>Colleen: I had forgotten about the following article in the NYT re dining in the department stores - might be good for lunch. <BR> <BR>http://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/28/tr...pagewanted=all <BR> <BR>Also, mentioned before on this site, pick up a copy of this months Bob Appetite - Delicious Paris - its wonderful. <BR> <BR>Regards

Maribel <BR>I have reservations at L'Petit Troquet. Would you tell me about your experience there.

Ger, <BR> <BR>Thanks for your e-mail (cc - - I'll get back to you, but you already know that I agree with everything you said. <BR> <BR>Speaking of the NY Times and Paris restaurants (and a whole lot else), this item in the magazine reports "important" news for those who simply MUST tread in all the footsteps of the trendy: <BR> <BR>http://www.nytimes.com/library/magaz...tra-paris.html <BR> <BR>and if you don't want to look it up (since "clicking" on hot links isn't working - - as of this writing, at least) - - here's what they have to say (new) about Taillevent: <BR> <BR>"Taillevent hasn't faltered since last year's lightning game of musical toques brought Michel Del Burgo from the Bristol to its kitchens. In its grand and dressy rooms, Jean-Claude Vrinat, the owner, maintains a service standard that others can only emulate. Legendary cave. 15 Rue Lamennais, 8e (01-44-95-15-01; fax: 01-42-25-95-18). Closed Saturday and Sunday. $125 a person, unless you go wine mad." <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

mbb-how far in advance did you make your reservation to Le Petit Troquet? <BR>Going to Paris first time this summer and have no idea about such things there. <BR>And, Maribel-I would love to hear about Le Petit too! What did you eat, were there many choices, was the food yummy? <BR>Thanks! <BR>Patti

Same question.When and how do you make reservations for Paris. <BR> <BR>Thanks

To Patti and mbb, <BR>We were ready to love "L P'tit Troquet" (#28 rue d L'Exposition in the 7th), as it came highly recommended in S. Gustafson's "Great Eats" (which has been both a bain and a boon to restaurants listed there, as most have faced an <BR>avanlanche of S. G. guidebook-toting Americans, such as yours truly!), and also in a great and helpful article in the Underground Wine Journal, "Prix-fixe Paradise", listing Le P'tit Troquet, L'Affriole, Les Olivades, Le Clos des Gourmet (wonderful, as well and still with a mostly Parisian local clientele) and L'Epi Dupin (really enjoyed our terrific value lunch, Marianne) <BR>"Le P'tit Troquet" is located on a back street, which has become restaurant row for guests at nearby hotels, is tiny, very tiny, with a kind of sweet 1920's flea market decor-a step back in time. The owners, chef Vessiere and his wife, both handled the 2 petite rooms that night. It was completely full at 9 p.m. We waited about 10 min. for our table (with many apologies from Madame Vessiere) at the only standing room space available, next to the cash register and antique sink and then were seated at one of the two diminutive marble topped window tables next to the entry way. Please note that seating is quite tight in such reduced space. Because there were no French patrons that Mon. night, we were given menus in English. We chose the well-priced 3 course "formule", a starter, main course and either cheese course or dessert. We found the wine prices a bit on the pricey side , and house wines are only served by the glass, but it's an interesting list. But what wonderful food!-exquisite-extremely rich and very classic French. My husband's amazing cream soup of white asparagus, carrots and broccoli was as beautiful to behold as to savor-the best of our trip-and I really enjoyed my warm apple crumb dessert. The lovingly prepared cuisine du marche was certainly memorable, but I selfishly longed to hear Parisian voices around me and wished that I could have engaged the gracious Madame Vessiere in conversation in fluent French so that she wouldn't have appeared so lonely while fielding a house of almost entirely English speaking guests. My husband did spy a lone French couple in the back room! One of the patrons told us that this was his 4th dinner there during his week's stay in Paris, and I could understand why, because of the superbly prepared and presented dishes. We didn't linger as long there as at L'Affriole and others because of the cramped seating and our craving to be able to survey the locals while dining. I suspect that if we had come on a weekend, we might have seen more locals. However, that particular street has been very much discovered, particularly by Rich Steves readers, and we passed up the charming looking Auberge Champs de Mars because of the several English reviews we saw in the window. We thought we might again find an exclusively non-Parisian clientele. Upon returning home, I read a comment by Jacques Cagna of Rotisserie D'en Face stating that his customer base was 80% foreign. Now I understand. So please do give the Vessieres your business (preferably on a Fri), as you'll dine extremely well at a most reasonable cost, but also try the others mentioned above which have a larger regular local clientele for a more uniquely Parisian experience. <BR>By the way, the Zagat indicates that Le P'tit Troquet has a Basque-Bernaise inspired menu; Madame says this is incorrect. <BR> <BR>

Forgot! <BR>To all, <BR>An address correction: "L'Affriole" is at #17 (not 7) Rue Malar, and the owners are the Atibards, Alain and Veronique. <BR>To Ger, <BR>Thanks so much for the NY Times article! Hadn't seen it, although luckily we did have a lovely lunch at the Facon Bistro, after strolling through, gazing in awe and wine sampling at the heavenly La Grande Epicerie at Le Bon Marche. As in the article, I was ready to follow the cashier's suggestion of a quick, cheap pick-me-up at the Bar Bleu, but my husband opted for the Bistro, which turned out to be both a restful and very Parisian experience, because we were the only non-locals (and attired in our brand new Bon Marche trench coats bought on sale! to protect us from last month's wind and rain). The quiet atmosphere, elegantly presented food (we both chose the 140 ff formule, entre + plat) and comfy seating at the banquettes with views of the busy shopping scene below made a perfect afternoon respite. I didn't realize until later that it's a member of the Flo group, along with the Jules Verne and Restaurante du Musee d'Orsay. A perfect rest spot while food shopping around the Cherche du Midi. I'm glad we had the dining in the grands magasins experience.

To the top!

This is not really a recommendation but a "caution". We were in Paris in mid-March, staying at a hotel near the Music Center in the LaVilette area. There were many nice, small places to eat along the street. We chose one which advertized that they accepted all the various cards--MC/Visa, etc. Since we had seen the signs in other places on our trip and had used our card often, we "believed" the logos on the windows. We had a delicious "Plat du Jour" dinner and when we received the bill, my husband offered our MC. It was refused--they didn't accept, on weekends, the machine wasn't working, etc. etc. Fortunately, we had francs to pay the bill--or we might have been washing dishes. The next night, we checked prior to being seated.

Maribel <BR>Thank you so much for the great information. I loved the detail. I can't wait!

The "Paris" issue of Gourmet had many bistro/restaurant suggestions.My list for my visit is Chardenoux,Le Petit Marguery,L'Os a Moelle,L'Epi Dupin and Le Vieix Bistro.Looking for recommendations and comments on this list to help me choose. <BR> <BR>Thank You,Jon

I tried sending you a whole lot of information (too much for here) but your address was not real, or not working. E-mail me for more information. [email protected]