Diane12

Hi everyone,

Are there any good bistros, brasseries or trattorias within a 20 or so minute walk of the Eiffel Tower for 2 adults and a picky 15 year old girl. We would prefer places that are patronized by locals with fixed price menu options if this is less expensive and if the food is better than what is in the tourist restaurants unless people have any better suggestions? We don't speak French but we can fumble through with an ITouch translation programme if the menu is in French. Thank you very much. for any ideas which I really appreciate!

Diane12

Waldo

I don't know if you would call it a trattoria or whatever, but one of the best Italian restaurants in which I've ever eaten is very close to the Eiffel Tower. It is at the foot of the Bir Hakeim Metro station stairs, about 1/4 mile from the Tower. The name of the place is Iolanda's. I've been there a few times, when it was Salvatore's and then Iolanda's. Salvatore was the owner, and Iolanda was his wife. Salvatore was caught with some young ladies, and his wife threw him out and assumed ownership, with the same crew working there. We are from Maryland, and we've gone to Paris numerous, but not enough times (we love the place). It turns out that the first time we went to the restaurant, we found out that Salvatore and Iolanda both came from the same neighborhood in Naples in which my wife grew up. (My wife is American born, but grew up in Naples, where her family still lives). Additionally, my wife's name is also Iolanda, that's how it all started. The reastaurant has the typical Neopolitan menu, but it also has a rich French and Algerian menu. The chef is a French Algerian, and he whips up some great dishes.

Waldo

By the way, it is not a tourist place. It is a local patron eatery.

StuDudley

On Rue St Dominique
- Cafe Constant - excellent - they do not take reservations
- Les Cocottes - excellent - they do not take reservations
- Fontaine de Mars - Obamas dined here. C- food, A- street appeal
- Le Champs de Mars - simplier - better for lunch

More upscale
- Les Fables de la Fontaine - Michelin 1 star, mostly seafood
- Le Violin d'Ingres - may be a little more upscale than you are looking for - but still a casual restaurant. Michelin 1 star

on Motte Picquet
-Florimond

on Ave Rapp
- Clos des Gourmets
- La Gauloise

If I was only dining here for 1 night, I would dine at Cafe Constant if I wanted to keep the tab under 100E for 3 without drinks, or Les Fables de la Fontaine if I wanted to spend between 100E & 130E for 3 & wanted seafood. Les Fables is very popular - reserve a week ahead at least.

Stu Dudley

StuDudley

Diane - why would you visit Paris & eat at an Italian restaurant/trattoria. I'm not a big fan of trattorias, but when I go to Italy I dine at trattorias - not French Bistros (not sure I've even seen a French Bistro in Italy).

Stu Dudley

Michel_Paris

Some names above that are mentioned often, so good start.

Bistrot du 7ieme was one place I went last trip (couple years ago). Located at Metro latour Maubourg

Mostly locals, a few tourists. Small place, attentive service.

Did the 20e menu:
Terrine de porc (big piece)
Escalope de veau + allumette (really good cream + mushroom sauce, not too rich)
Bread
1/2vittel
½ Saumur 2005 Cauleraines
Espresso
Positano dessert (Chantilly, red.white boulles)

Total cost came to 35euro

hkto

You can try this one - Cafe Le Pierrot # 67 Avenue La Motte Picquet, 75015 Paris, France. We were there about 4 years ago; at that time they had fixed price (2-3 course) dinners for 15 to 20 euros. We liked it. It was mostly local clientele when I was there so I don't see the logic in the "tourist trap" label in some tripadvisor reviews.

Gretchen

And there is a good brasserie right at the Ecole Militaire Metro.
If your Itouch translation program is for FOOD, then fine. Otherwise get a glossary of French food. Translating just doesn't do it.
We have dined at many of these listed and some are more expensive than others, but still in the "reasonable" for a great meal in Paris. We like to eat cheap for b'fast and lunch and have a good nice meal at dinner. It is really part ANd a number of those listed are better with reservations.
Florimond is our very favorite for a 35E menu and Bistro du 7eme for the less expensive.

denisea

Cafe Varenne 36 rue Varenne (corner of due du Bac)...not touristy and you only need a basic understanding of a few French words...the menu is on chalkboards, if I remember correctly. I had the best tomato & fresh mozzarella quiche for lunch.
For Italian, it would definitely be a 20 minute walk to Marco Polo in the 6th. Very good Italian and they are so nice there and it is mostly locals...It's at the Carrefour d'Odeon...rue St Sulpice & rue de Conde (8 rue de Conde). I love the neighborhood it is in!

Diane12

Hi there,

I wanted to let everyone know how much I appreciate their great suggestions for restaurants. It's hard to avoid the tourist trap restaurants with mediocre food when you've never been somewhere before. We are still open to suggestions but I just wanted to let people know how much we appreciate their help. Thank you.

Diane12

oakglen

La Taverna and Alfio are two decent Italian restaurants in that area; don't expect anything fancy, just good food at resonable prices.

Waldo

I guess I don't get it. Diane12 wants places CLOSE to the Tower. I think lots of those places to which everyone refers are not too close to the Tower. The place I mentioned is close to the Eiffel Tower, that's why I wrote about it. That's not to say that it's the BEST place, but it's a GOOD place close to the Tower.

StCirq

There aren't that many places close to the tower because of its setting in the Champs de Mars and by the river. And anything really close to the tower is probably going to be a tourist rip-off anyway (don't know the place you recommended, Waldo).

Anyway, if the child is a picky eater, I'd wonder whether traditional bistro/brasserie fare is going to work - I guess you can always order an omelette and frites, which is what my daughter ate for days on end in France for years.

I'd suggest Pizza Tina. It's on the Avenue Bosquet near Ecole Militaire, about a 10-minute walk from the Tour.

Alan_CT

There are at least three good places on rue de l'Exposition, which runs between Rue St Dominique and Rue de Grenelle, and they are rarely mentioned.
One is a real bargain, the husband/wife owned and run Auberge du Champs de Mars, where the "English" menu is 20 euros. While catering to tourists, there's always a good mix of locals there, too.
Le Petit Troquet gets consistently good reviews. It's tiny.
The night we went to Le Billebaude the menu was sprinkled with game dishes, which were delicious. 32 euro menu, as I recall.

zmac

Rue Cler is only a short distance, it is a little market street with brasseries and cafés.
Check Rick Steves' site about the area:
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/desti...uecler0208.htm
Café du Marche and Brasserie Champs de Mars are good places. Good for looking at the action.