Do you find for a medium price bistro you need to make reservations in advance?? I am wondering ( if I can decide which place I want to eat in...its hard to choose) if I should just make the first nights reservation and then wait and call the others while I am there. Any suggestions for the first night while I am on the subject. I want something good but not too expensive since we are 5.

In most cases, not much advance notice is needed, but also depends upon the popularity of the place. In what part of Paris are you staying? Not too expensive in Paris will still be $30 to $50 a head, given the current exchange rates. You might want to try L'Allobroges in the 20th. It's an easy enough Metro ride from most parts of Paris, usually available without calling well ahead, and a very pleasant evening. Nice ambience, friendly service, fine food.

You might also want to consider Le P'tit Troquet in the 7th or L'Entrecote in the 6th. Either would be fine for a first night or any night.

Paris restaurants always appreciate having people make reservations, even if it's just on the same day. You will probably get a better table if you reserve, too.

A restaurant I heartily recommend is Au Petit Marguery; it's in the 13th. This old-time bistro has great atmosphere, and the food is wonderful. At dinner only full menus (3-course meals, with choices within courses) are available.

I recommend Allard, rue St. Andre des Arts, in the 6th. Recently I made reservations late in the afternoon for that same evening (Fri); when we arrived, I overheard a couple being turned away w/o reservations, and the dining room did fill up entirely. On a week night, few days later we were walk ins at same place and were able to get a table, although it filled up again soon. It's an old-fashioned bistro, 32 euro for prix fixe; high quality food, we thought.

At Fontaine de Mars, favorite of Fodorites, I made a reservation on Fri. for Sun,since not every place is open on Sundays. It, too, filled up quickly.

With a group of 5, I would definitely try to make reservations at least a couple days ahead,(if you have specific places where you want to dine) since most tables are for 2 or 4 in these little places.

Except for very special meals we generally just walk in. Have never been seroiusly disappointed although we have had to try anohter restaurant a couple of times - both turned out to be just fine.

nrwayne, you may not have as easy a time "just walking in" to Les Allobroges anymore. Patricia Wells just reviewed it in today's IHT. A glowing review, by the way.

We've always found it helpful to reserve...even if we just walk in after lunch to reserve for dinner. You are treated better. (That works in the US too, by the way!) Year before last, we called Les Bookinists before we went out in the morning, just to see if we could get reservations that night...we were successful, although we were seated at a small table at the end of the bar. We thought...ah, well, that's what you get last minute...but it turned out quite well. The place was packed that night, and while people sitting at other tables got jostled because of the "busy-ness" we were comfortable, not rushed, and enjoyed the both the view (we were by the window) and a leisurely meal. (We did order all courses.)

We've never reserved at a restaurant in Paris. You mentioned a medium priced bistro, not a Michelin starred restaurant. If you want to be sure of a good table, go a little early. We usually eat around 7 to 7:30 and have never had trouble getting a table. No one ever appeared particularly upset that we didn't reserve either.

You will also be able to get a decent meal under $15 if you look around a little. The easiest way to tell if the food is good is see if there are any natives there. If the place is empty, don't go in. If there are quite a few early diners there, it's probably okay.

If there is some specific place and time we want to eat, especially the first night or two, I'll email my hotel to make a reservation for us.

Other than that , we just play it by chance with our restaurant list.

Nice to see all the mentions of Les Allobroges's. Ive been making their Braised lamb shanks with garlic ever since Patricia well's Paris cookbook came out. We need to make the trek there to see if I have it right! This coming trip, it will be a definite!

Grandmere, At Allards did you have the menu or order ala carte? The menu looks reasonable. Underhill, do you remember what the menus cost approx. at Au Petit Marguery. Were there good choices for each place. Also is the tip usually included in the price? How much do you generally tip...I have heard people tip less than say in NYC. Thanks. My husband thinks I am crazy obsessing about restaurants...I probably am...but I love good meals.

At Allard we had the menu, for 32 euro. With wine and coffee, it came out to around 100 euro for the two of us. Without even trying each of the 5 nights we were in Paris, we spent approx. the same amount for dinner.

If you like duck, the duck with olives looked wonderful; wished I would have chosen it; next time!

Your tip will be included in the bill, but if you have good service (and you probably will), you can leave a bit extra. Just don't go overboard because 15% has already been put on the bill

Enjoy your trip.

That is the amount I expected to pay for dinner...about 100 for 2 with wine. Sometimes when you see the menus of the restaruants their ala carte offerings are considerably higher...like Allards the ala carte prices were 35 to 55 for the main course. I'm glad the menus are more reasonable...and still good.

Our bill at Au Petit Marguery came to about 100€ for the two of us, including two kirs and a half-bottle of a good Rhône wine. That was for 3 courses and included an extra appetizer "offered" to us by the chef. There are about a dozen choices for each course, and when we ate there in May the menu was something like 35€ per person, a very good value in terms of what you get. There are, of course, supplements for a few things--like foie gras.

It's a delightful place with a friendly atmosphere. Each time we go there it feels as though everyone is having a good time, and the waiters try hard to see that you enjoy yourselves.