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-   -   Fancy restaurants in Paris (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/fancy-restaurants-in-paris-501359/)

jeffwill4you Feb 5th, 2005 08:21 AM

Fancy restaurants in Paris
 
I want to take my sweet wife to a fine dinner house while in Paris that she'll remember for a long time. however, she is a very picky eater. It will have to be a place like a steak house? she won't eat seafood or
goose liver, no duck or lamb and no insides of an animal. Do you have any suggestions for
me to take her to? I will eat almost anything
except animal innered! My budget says no more then 200 Euro with wine and I want to get FULL for that much money. Thank You.

elaine Feb 5th, 2005 08:29 AM

as if it weren't patently obvious, this is a t, folks, one of the usuals who changes aliases every other day or so--
not even one of the more subtle attempts.

jeffwill4you Feb 5th, 2005 08:37 AM

Does T=troll? If it does let me assure you I am not! I am a faithful fodorite
and in no way, shape, or form have I ever used an alias! Why would you say that? I have seen many of your post and respect you wisdom and advice on travel to Europe! Now, I wonder if you are real or not?

Patrick Feb 5th, 2005 08:38 AM

Forget eating in Paris. Go to Outback in the States. It's perfect for you.

jeffwill4you Feb 5th, 2005 08:41 AM

You too patrick! There is no excuse for you guys treating me like this!

StuDudley Feb 5th, 2005 08:45 AM

Try the Train Bleu at the Gare de Lyon train station. Fantastic atmosphere. Don't take a menu translator, and order Magret du Canard, if it's on the menu. Tell your wife it's steak.

Stu Dudley

jeffwill4you Feb 5th, 2005 08:55 AM

StuDodley, Thats duck breast! I am not into college pranks or lying to my wife!
I asked a simple question to my fellow fodorites but if, I have asked a wrong or stupid question forgive me. Maybe I should have asked what kind of shoes to wear.

ckenb Feb 5th, 2005 09:54 AM

Jeff, it really doesn't sound like your wife will enjoy French cuisine or French restaurants if her diet is so limited. Even the steaks will probably be served too rare. Good luck.

jeffwill4you Feb 5th, 2005 10:14 AM

She will eat chicken and pork and even a rare steak, well, med.rare? Thank you
ckenb, for not being mean to me and calling me a troll.

marcy_ Feb 5th, 2005 10:22 AM

Jeff,
Please excuse the comments by some of the people here. There have been so many trolls lately that people have a high index of suspicion, even when it's not warranted.

I don't think your wife will have any trouble finding food she likes at most restaurants in Paris.

Even though they may offer more exotic fare, most will have some sort of beef or chicken dish that she would like. (And who knows-- maybe being in an exciting new place will inspire her to branch out and try some things she hasn't eaten before!)

You might look at this thread:
Paris: Romantic Restaurant that won't break the bank (much)

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34554304


jeffwill4you Feb 5th, 2005 10:42 AM

Thank you marcy for your reply. We have been to Paris in Sept '04 but our budget was small. This time we are going to Paris only and I wanted to make it really special. I have read that thread when it was new but, I was looking for other suggestions that are not so much romantic as great food and still we could say we did do the Paris fine food restaurants thing. I am only 24 and I am new to this world travel stuff and maybe even a little intimidated when it comes to knowing what to do while on vacation or how to make it fun or romantic?

StCirq Feb 5th, 2005 10:52 AM

Take her to the Relais d'Entrecote on rue Marbeuf for some of the best stack-frites in Paris.

I think Bofinger would also pretty much always have something on the menu she could eat, and Bofinger is always an experience.

minimn Feb 5th, 2005 10:57 AM

Jeff,
A lovely place for a nice dinner is Le Vieux Bistro near Notre Dame. Candlelight in the evening, a very old place and the Boeuf Bourguignon (like a wonderful beef stew)is delicious. For dessert order the Tarte Tatin (similar to apple pie) and they bring a big silver bowl of creme fraiche to top it off. Wonderful area for a stroll by the Seine after dinner. Don't think it will cost 200 Euro but it will be a lovely evening!

minimn Feb 5th, 2005 11:00 AM

I also agree with St Cirq. Bofinger is always nice and they have a chateaubriand (steak) served with frites (fries)and green beans. The bernaise sauce is fabulous!

jeffwill4you Feb 5th, 2005 11:24 AM

I looked up both restaurants on the web,
Le Vieux Bristro, 5-7 Rue De La Bastille
and Bofinger,14 Rue Colitre-notre-Dame,
Both are just what I was looking for so thank You very much. I am sure we will eat at both Places and will give a report.

loisco Feb 5th, 2005 11:26 AM

The first and only time we were in Paris (25 years ago), we traveled to Monmarte (sp.) to have duck at a recommended restaurant. There were 4 of us. The men in our group kept insisting we were eating steak (it was served medium rare). Even when the owner said it was duck, they insisted.

Moral?...probably none, except your wife may think
the duck is steak and now when I make duck breasts, they are served rare.

Good luck.:-!

BTilke Feb 5th, 2005 11:30 AM

Jeff, your wife can relax. I too don't eat duck, lamb, veal, goose liver, organ meats, or andouillettes (ugh!) and still have managed to enjoy many wonderful meals in France. Several posters have been unduly harsh.
You should avoid restaurants featuring ultra-traditional cuisine (example: Le Florimond, a Fodorite favorite that just doesn't appeal to me) and also cuisine from southwestern France, i.e., Gascony (duck and foie gras figure heavily into their regional dishes). I would also suggest you avoid the very top restaurants in Paris because you will probably need to spend over 200 euros to enjoy a multi-course meal plus wine there (except at lunch, some excellent values then) and worrying about the bill is no way to enjoy a meal. You and your wife will probably be happiest at bistros/brasseries (many of these are very good and very attractive).
I suggest you and your wife go to www.reservethebest.com and start looking at the restaurants listed there...most have their menus posted (although these may change with the seasons, you get a good general idea of what they serve). You can read the menus and see if any interests your wife.
FYI, does she like Asian food by any chance, particularly Vietnamese? You will find several excellent Asian/French fusion restaurants.
One of my favorite restaurants in Paris is Lei, in the 7th arrondissement. It's French-Italian. You can read the menu on the reservethebest web site. They do an excellent tagliata (thinly sliced steak served over roquette greens)...I bet your wife would love it. Nice atmosphere, friendly service.

jeffwill4you Feb 5th, 2005 11:37 AM

Thank you for your reply loisco but, my wife would blow chunks if she found out she was eating duck if it was suppose to be steak! LOL, she would right there at the table! I have eaten duck a few times (PRESSED DUCK) and liked it! I would never lie to her about what shes eating, Ever! she would divorce me!

jeffwill4you Feb 5th, 2005 11:52 AM

Thats a great site BTilke Thank You.
When Lisa gets home I will show it to her.

shellio Feb 5th, 2005 11:57 AM


L'Atelier Maitre Albert , 1 rue Maître-Albert, 5e, tel: 56 81 30 01.
Chef Guy Savoy's rotisserie which still retains original elements of the 16th century building, such as the open kitchen and cozy fireplace.


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