My favorite place is Le Florimond ? The best meal we had in Paris. The staff and food were great. For 30E you got a 3course dinner. Mine included a great carrot soup, boef moutard (really good), and a chocolate mousse. The place is very small, maybe only 10 tables. My wife had a Napolean for desert that was about 10 inches tall. The owner and waiters were great. They were really friendly and helpful, since our French is not too good. Really good dinning experience and value, and I highly recommend this restaurant. It's near Rue Cler.

In and around the Marais:

Chez Janou
L'Impasse
Auberge Nicolas Flamel

several months ago, the NY Times had an article, 'Comfort Food at Comforting Prices In paris."Did anyone read it?
The places were:
Chez Michel, 11th
Au C'Amelot, 11th
La Braisiére, 17th
Le Petit Pontoise, 5th
Le Pré Verre 5th

Perraudin in the 5th.

I love Le Florimond

I love La Fontaine de Mars

I usually enjoy Auberge de Bressane (when they're not renovating)

D'Chez Eux is good if you don't mind rubbing elbows with other patrons

I think it's worth it to take the RER out of Paris a bit to the Ile des Impressionistes to eat at La Maison Fournaise

I like the Cigale in the 6me for delicious savory and sweet soufflés

I've stopped going to the Bistro de Papa in the 7me because of poor service and decline in the food

And after having been served at the Café du Marché on the Rue Cler by a waiter who was wearing an apron that suggested he had either very recently slaughtered a whole cow or been in a ghastly accident, I'll never set foot in there again.

i'm looking at my receipt from ptit pontoise (reviewed in nytimes) from last week. 82.50 euros for two. though there was no "formule," i'm sure we each had an apertif, an entree, plat (mine was chicken and potatoes), bottle of wine, but not dessert. all in all pretty good.

also, le coude fou in the marais was excellent, and in the same price range.

<<Le Grand Cafe near the Opera Gardiner>>

artlover - is this restaurant open for lunch or do you know. Sounds great!

crepes,
I would think they're open for lunch, but am not sure, but I just pulled their postcard and noticed they have a website--www.legrandecafe.com.

artlover - google says that URL is not valid. But I will look up the restaurant on pages jaunes. But thanks for the tip.

Correction: It's the Opera Garnier. The Grand Hotel and cafe are virtually next door. Probably OK if you need to be in the midst of all the tourists. American Express is right there, too. You're probably far better off seeking places outside the mainstream. Better experience, better food, and better prices. You'll pay a premium near the Opera and will not get your money's worth.

Crepes,
I had no problem getting on their website. Even got a recipe from it (figures the first ingredient is a full bottle of wine!!) We thought the prices were very reasonable. Paid more at Le Vieux Bistro and didn't the the food or service were anywhere as good. But we like lighter, healthier cuisine (more Southern France type.)

crepes: The're's a typo in the URL. It should be www.legrandcafe.com

I agree about Le Vieux Bistro; our meal there was mediocre, and I won't soon forget the slimy leek salad.

We had a wonderful meal at Allard. We still think about the chicken from Bresse with potatoes and mushrooms and the dessert, Paris Brest. We also had a great meal at L'Epi Dupin.

Steve

I had the Paris Brest there recently, too;yum!

So many authoritative recommendations, most of which I don't know and cannot comment on. Just for fun, here a few of my favourites -- reactions, anyone?

Bistrot du Peintre: smoke-yellowed walls in an Art Nouveau setting. The waiters clamber up and down a spiral staircase to fetch hearty meals -- Auvergnat recipes, I wondered, since the restaurant is near the Faubourg St Antoine, traditional home of Auvergne expats? Mammoth portions and a great outside terrace. "Plus Parisen, tu meurs".

Square Trousseau: characteristic bistro near Metro Ledru Rollin. Lovely square. We thought we were the only people who knew this place, proposed by our next door neighbour here in Canada who had an apartment next door. But last time they were closed for a film shoot!

Les Bouchons de Francois Clerc -- the one off Boulevard Haussmann -- fine, fine wines at cost and a wonderful dinner with attentive service -- but this was 3 years ago...