next big splurge for me will be Les Ombres at at the Museum Quai Branly - as far as I can tell in searching Fodors, no one has reported eating there...

I'll volunteer to be the first!!!!???

The pictures are breathtaking.

I checked out Le Train Bleu's website. Beautiful place. I do consider myself a foodie (money is not an issue for this meal anyway) but this is our first time to Paris without kids, so the fine dining experience there is all new. A good problem.
Taillivent, Le Tour d'Argent, Guy Savoy all sound like good options too. Tough choice. Another good problem.

I would drop Tour D'Argent a little farther down the list - not a big fan. I don't think it is in the same category as your other choices.

The reason I mentioned Taillevent, is because I swear I never hear a complaint, only raves. Yet I've seen a lot of people who were disappointed with Guy Savoy (some saying it just wasn't worth it) and even more so with Tour de Argent -- all kinds of complaints including snobby attitude, disappointing service, and even not-outstanding food.

I had my birthday dinner at Le Train Bleu last summer. The setting is wonderful and our service was superb. The food was surprisingly good -- better than I expected, but it certainly won't rank with the other places mentioned as far as really fine dining goes. The worst problem in July was the lack of air conditioning. We left literally soaking wet -- unbelievably hot inside.

Hi J,

>A good problem.
Taillivent, Le Tour d'Argent, Guy Savoy all sound like good options too.

Tour d'Argent has been reduced to 1*, but still charges 3* prices. Its major draw is looking at Notre Dame lit up at night.

What's wrong with that???

"What's wrong with that?"

Dukey, are you saying you enjoy paying 3 star prices for 1 star food just for a great view. You're entitled to do that, but most people would rather get food that they paid for. No?

Hi Dukey,

What if you don't get a table by a window?

BTW, J

You might want to consider Laperousse on the Quai des Grands Augustins.

See the Paris part of my trip report for details:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34676645

So, if JV is not operating in July, where would you suggest we go for a great lunch or dinner with a view on the 21st of July? What about the cafe on the Trocadero?

If you are lucky enough to be able to book dinner (recommend the earliest time), do it.

Once Ducasse (or, more likely, his "staff&quot takes over, all bets are off.

We've done this three times. It just could not be more romantic to arrive at the earliest time (best chance of a window table) and enjoy daylight, then dusk, twilight, sunset (if there is one that day). This "level" is plenty high for enjoying the scenery all about, and you should advise the staff that you wish to go outside after dinner, then enjoy your dessert/coffee in the lounge after. Once you've explored all about outside, the views are the very best from the lounge (Notre Dame, Pont Alexandre III, Place de la Concorde...). Most wander right past on their way out without even noticing. And, there's a magnificent pianist/vocalist. And, the chef emerges from the kitchen for comments and photo ops (along with cookbook signings).

You can get by without a tie, but why wouldn't you want to wear one?

Hey dj,

>You can get by without a tie, but why wouldn't you want to wear one?<

And they have called me an old fogie for suggesting the wearing of a jacket.

ira, just for the record, most of us who have called you an old fogie (or insinuated it) were referring to your insistance that a gentleman always wears a jacket at any ordinary brasserie or simple restaurant. I'm not sure anyone would call you one for suggesting a jacket and YES, even a tie at a place like Jules Verne. Quite a different matter. And also for the record, yes, even I would be wearing a jacket AND tie at Jules Verne in the evening -- maybe not a tie for a lunch there in the summer.

Mind if I jump in here?
I wasn't able to make dinner reservations but did manage reservations for lunch in April.
I hate to sound stupid but what would be considered "proper attire" at lunch time?
Thanks!

I wouldn't overdress. You can be neatly dressed without going to the suit coat and tie extreme.

My personal favorite is Pre Catalan in the Bois de Boulogne, but I haven't been to other big ticket places aside from Jules Verne. I believe I have been to JV twice, but not in recent years so I could not comment on Ducasse.

If you search for "Pre Catalan" on fodors, you will find out why I enjoyed myself so much.

Hi B,

>...what would be considered "proper attire" at lunch time?<

I'd wear a jacket - sans tie, but many have suggested essentially what you would wear to dinner at a golf club.

Hi NP,

>..I would be wearing a jacket AND tie at Jules Verne in the evening -..<

I ain't going if I have to wear a tie.

"I'd wear a jacket - sans tie, but many have suggested essentially what you would wear to dinner at a golf club."

This is confusing to me. Here in Naples most golf clubs require a jacket for men in the evenings (no tie)-- so I'd be dressed just like you are at Jules Verne!

I was thinking about having lunch at Jules Verne when we're there, but I wondered, too, if anyone has enjoyed a drink at the piano bar there, and is that worth considering....

Only Americans on internet message boards worry about what they wear to restaurants in France. Let me assure you that you will see everything and anything. Obviously, you cannot bring your whole wardrobe with you on a holiday. No restaurant will turn you away because you are minus a tie or are wearing clunky shoes (ladies) in lieu of high heels. Just wear what you would feel comfortable wearing at a similar place at home and don't spend a lot of time obsessing over it. You will be fine.