NeoPatrick

Well the original poster hasn't been back to comment again yet, but I think some of us are getting a little carried away with the celebrity comments. She didn't really say they wanted to SEE celebrities -- only that they like the TYPE of restaurant that tends to attract famous people -- meaning a very trendy, upscale, but probably casual place -- if I'm reading her correctly.
I got the impression she was only trying to indicate the type of place they like, and perhaps could care less if they actually see celebrities there or not. Is that right, enlehman?

tower

NeoPatrick:

>>>only that they like the TYPE of restaurant that tends to attract famous people --<<<

Translation ...based on my 50 years of the L.A. experience and with the many visitors we've had..."Oh, please take us to a restaurant where we can see the stars!!"

We deal with this ad infinitum! UGH!

Stu T.

mvor

You might wish to look at Les Ombres Restaurant-- I had hoped to go there when I was in Paris in June but unfortunately didn't make it.

Here's a review from another poster who went in May along with her terrific report entitled, "Eating my way through Paris" which might yield other recs.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35003826


Les Ombres Restaurant
Musée du quai Branly
25 Quai Branly, Paris VII
Tel: 01 47 53 68 00
http://www.lesombres-restaurant.com

This was our splurge dinner. Louisa and I both ordered the 95€ tasting menu and it was fabulous! We ordered an inexpensive bottle of red wine for 36€ (highest bottle of wine goes for 600&euro. Fresh baked bread was served along with a small dish of herring on top of a curry sauce. I thought it was an unusual starter. Our dinner began: Garden peas veloute soup flavored with fresh mint, crab meat and thin shellfish jelly. The mint was not overwhelming and I could taste the hint of dill. Next, we had the duck foie-gras terrine with sweet pepper chutney and grained mustard; Grilled rare tuna, hot piperade and “Noirmoutier” potatoes cooked with salted butter; Young lamb, cooked rare, flavored with marjoram and a spinach ricotta gnocchi (which really looked and tasted like a quiche). For dessert: “La grande Dame”: Praline-flavored light pastry with lemon like “aux Ombres” This was a really wonderful dinner with excellent service, although expensive. Les Ombres is a place for a special occasion, especially having such wonderful views of the Eiffel Tower right in our face. Once it was dark, the Eiffel Tower sparked at the top of the hour. Very special indeed! I think the most unique dish was the soup.

palatino82

Our favorite place in Paris was Entrecote aka Le Relais de Venise near Porte Maillot at the corner of Bd Pereire and rue Debarcadere. No reservations. There is almost always a line out on the street to get in. Set menu - walnut salad, steak frites with their special sauce. great for people watching. Very french. Reasonably priced. When the waitress comes, just tell her how you want your steak.

Michel_Paris

Well, one place I liked in Paris is Chez René...old style bistrot with classic French fare. Located on blvd St Germain. It seems the Catherine Deneuve lives (lived) in the penthouse of the bldg across from St Sulpice, and this resto was one of her faves. There, the secret is out....

enlehman76

I have been reading over all of your comments and appreciate all of your responses. My husband and I live in Palm Beach County, Florida but are from NYC. We like to dress up---basically I like to wear a fun type of dress and my husband will probably wear dark jeans/dark pants and a button down long-sleeve shirt. We are not the stuffy type---more fun and trendy. We are not looking to spend a ton of money ($100-150USD per person) dinners everynight, but would like to pick one place like this in London and one in Paris to go to. The other times, lunch and dinner, we will be more casual as we will be out sight-seeing all day and may not go back to the hotel to change---On these eating outings, I am looking for places that have good food that is particular to the city that we are in---as well as some good people watching. We like to drink wine alot, so we will probably be--most definitely be having drinks with lunch and dinner. I know that there are many restaurants in both London and Paris and I am sure many of them are good--great! I was just hoping to get some suggestions of the "favorite" ones that people have so that we do not miss out on some of them while we are there as we will not know which ones to go to. As far as my comments on famous people---I do not need to see them---I have seen enough of them in NYC---I am wanting to go to some places for dinner that are the "harder" to get in places at least 1-2 nights---hopefully one in London and one in Paris. We are staying in Monte Carlo at the end, but will be exploring the Riviera via rental car. Any suggestions in that area for casual and dressy would be great---we are planning to "dress Up" one night there and go to the casino just to pretend we are high-rollers and have fun in MC!!!

enlehman76

I have heard from two different people that Cafe de la Paix in Paris is good--any comments on this one? Also, what is name of the restaurant at the top of the Eiffel Tower---is it any good? Thanks!!

enlehman76

One of these people also suggested Entrecote---I think I am spelling it right? Any thoughts on this one? Where is it located---need reservations?

mnss

Very trendy, upscale and casual? sounds like Buddha Bar to me. I love that place-- they have really good chocolate desserts too!

Look up their website.

Chinon_Rouge

There are some phenomenal temples of cuisine in Paris that are not to be missed. Search the Fodors guide for these. Generally they are booked well in advance. You will spend big bucks for many of these ultra high end restaurants. However, I find Le Cinq to be somewhat reasonable in price by comparison to the other gastronomic temples, and certainly no less in food quality and service. You might want to check it out. Another dining experience that I recommend is the very upscale dinner cruise aboard the Don Juan yacht. See http://www.yachtsdeparis.fr/restauration.html It is definitely not the cheesy dinner cruise that you see going up and down the Seine. This is a truly delightful experience. Rervations are a must, but they might still be able to accomodate your schedule--even at this short of notice. Email in advance (language is not a barrier). Any of the Joel Robuchon restaurants is worth visiting. His Atelier as I recall does not accept reservations. It is first come, first served. The food in Paris is among the best in the world. The French take dining seriously and you can tell by the price. Be prepared for expensive meals, and ready for some of the best food you have ever eaten. Wear upscale clothing to the nicer restaurants and the staff will treat you with respect. Avoid most tourist traps, and if you feel like you have been seated with a bunch of tourists, then you may not be at a good restaurant--take you leave of places like these. Your hotel concierge might be able to assist with making reservations. Have a reliable guide book with restaurant reviews with you (Fodors and the Michelin Red Book are worthy companions). Good luck. I wish I was going.

Chinon_Rouge

Here are a couple of restaurants in Paris that I recommend mainly for lunch. Both are a little pricey for lunch, but worth it. Cafe Lenotre http://www.lenotre.fr/fr/cafe-lenotre-paris.php is in a magnificient setting on the Champs Elysee with truly gourmet food. I have never needed rervations here for lunch, and the food has always been excellent. Also the mostly outdoor restaurant on the upper level of the Pompidou art museum is really cool. It is a reliable place for lunch too.

ira

Hi en,

For $100-150 pp or less, see the Paris part of my trip report http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34676645

www.taillvent.com has a 70E lunch menu.

www.lesombres-restaurant.com has a 95E dinner menu.

plafield

Jules Verne is the restaurant in the Eiffel Tower. It's booked many months in advance so it's most likely too late for you.

Les Ombres is where I would go for a splurge if you can get a reservation. I'd call today (01 47 53 68 00)It has a spectacular view of the Tower, especially magical at night. The food is top notch, the wine list fantastic. I think the prix fixe is now 95E pp.

A lovely place with great food is Guy Savoy's less expensive restaurant Les Bookinistes (53, quai des Grands Augustins 75005 Closed for lunch Saturday and Sunday Tel01.43.25.45.94.)They have a fantastic 3 course lunch for around 25E that is a real steal. The restaurant is elegant and the food is impeccable.

One of my favorite little restaurants in Paris is Le Hangar 12,Impasse Berthaud, 3 rd Tel: 01 42 74 55 44. It's a tiny gem located in a little alleyway off the main street that runs behind the Centre Pompidou. A fantastic 3 course dinner with excellent wine will cost less than 100E for both of you. This isn't a "trendy" spot, just wonderful food for a great price.

Have a great time!

NeoPatrick

Jules Verne is NOT booked months in advance this summer. ONCE AGAIN -- JULES VERNE IS CLOSED FOR REMODELING. There seems to be no formal notice of the date of reopening.

ekscrunchy

I would not agree with the friend who recommended Cafe de la Paix. Or LeNotre. These are not trendy and they are not known for great food!!

For grand gastronomy you might be able to snag a spot at Taillevent or another of the many gilded and starred adresses for lunch..you need to reserve YESTERDAY! Dinner is more difficult, I think, at Taillevent and maybe some of the others.

L'Ami Jean is fun and very popular..if you can get a reservation..I wrote about my meal there, and at L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, and at the other places that I sampled during my week in Paris last fall in a lengthy trip report...

On my spring trip, we liked Baths in the 17th, which I linked in an earlier post above...

Chinon_Rouge

"...Les Bookinistes (53, quai des Grands Augustins 75005 Closed for lunch Saturday and Sunday Tel01.43.25.45.94.)They have a fantastic 3 course lunch for around 25E that is a real steal. The restaurant is elegant and the food is impeccable."

I think you mean Les Bouqinistes. I've dined there a few times. My most recent experience there was quite negative despite making reservations well in advance, wearing appropriate attire and speaking French, so I won't go back any time soon.

The several times that I have had lunch at Lenotre have been pleasurable.