s.fowler

Wendy -- we've probably passed in a restaurant We ate at L'Oeillade a year ago. And while the food is good and it IS quintessentially French, it has very little to no "atmosphere". And to be honest I prefer the food at La Fontaine de Mars which DOES have atmosphere. <BR> <BR>I have a review of L'Affriole saved someplace. I'll post it when I find it

wendy

S.Fowler, <BR> <BR> <BR>I am certain we have! are you in Paris or travel there often? <BR> <BR>I only wanted to mention the full range available, as I said earlier, if I had to choose it would be L'Affriole, but then the Fontaine de Mars is wonderful too! <BR> <BR>Too many good choices in Paris! I am leaving next week to meet some of the chefs of the 'baby' bistors, if anyone is interested in a follow up report on food, and also, I'd appreciate what you know now of them before I go? <BR> <BR>Merci mille fois! <BR>Wendy <BR> <BR>

Ursula

Wendy: Could you possibly find out something about the "Korova" at Rue Marbeuf, off the Champs-Elysées? <BR>Merci beaucoup à l'avance.

wendy

Absolutement Ursula! <BR> <BR>

s.fowler

We're only there once a year or so alas It's just reassuring to have someone who has the time and ability to dig out good choices agree mention places we have chosen and enjoyed. We love good food [particularly "country" dishes], and a nice atmosphere, but prefer the places like La Fontaine de Mars over starred establishments. We don't eat in them at home, so we are true to our style in Paris also!

Sarah

My husband (boyfriend at the time) and I were in Paris about two years ago and I still dream about the dinner we had at "Le Perroquet Vert" Fabulous food and wine. We stumbled on it because it was around the corner from our hotel. It is a small restaurant and not recommended for large groups. I would go back to Paris simply to dine on their salmon. <BR> <BR>It is near Place de Clichy: <BR>7 Rue Cavallotti <BR>tel 01 45 22 49 16 <BR>fax 01 42 93 70 29 <BR>(I keep the business card in my wallet, call me crazy). <BR> <BR>Enjoy Paris! <BR> <BR> <BR>

wendy

S.Fowler, <BR> <BR>Oh that's a shame! I would have loved to invited you to dinner. Let me know the next time you go? <BR> <BR>Sarah, <BR>That isn't far from where I live in Paris so I shall look at it if I have time! Thank you for the information! <BR> <BR>I don't leave until Thursday, so I will appreciate any suggestions for these places! <BR> <BR>Is anyone else in Paris next week? I only have three days in Paris and 2 days in Normandy. It will be an enjoyable sleepless whirlwind to say the least! <BR> <BR>A bientot, <BR>Wendy <BR> <BR>

Patti Suttle

Wendy-yes, do tell us ALL about the restaurants, bistos and most important-the FOOD! I am obsessing about the FOOD. And, thanks for the history of the bistos/restaurants-that is really interesting. <BR> <BR>Also, I have the menu from La Fontaine De Mars (from their web site). What is: <BR>Confit? <BR>Boudin au pommes fruit? <BR>Andouillette de chez Duval au Chardonnay? <BR>Cassoulet? <BR>Pave du boucher sauce bernaise? <BR>I understand the bernaise part. <BR>Can anyone help? <BR>Thank you! <BR>Patti

Betsy

Wendy <BR> <BR>Bon voyage, you lucky duck. Am looking forward to your posts upon your return. We have a few days in Paris before starting our trip to Italy (and Malverina, thanks to you) in October and would love to hear all about the "baby" bistros.

Lidija

I just bought the May edition of Bon Appetit on my lunch break which is the Paris editon. <BR> <BR>They have different suggestions and write ups according to the following catergories. <BR> <BR>The Big Splurge <BR>Going Casual <BR>Global Paris <BR>Cafe Society <BR>Paris with a View <BR>Fast Food Paris Style <BR>Out for Drinks <BR>Delicious shopping <BR> <BR>I'm itching to actually read the magazine but the job is getting in the way. Plus I bought it to read on my flight on Wednesday to London!!!

wendy

Dear Betsy, <BR> <BR>You will love Claudio and his mother Maria, I hope you get to make a traditional pizza with her or pick olives...! <BR> <BR>Patti: <BR> <BR>Confit?-it means preserved, most often in 'its' own fat, like duck or goose <BR> <BR>Boudin au pommes fruit?- Boudin is a blood sausage but there are many vaiations...west indian black pudding version or white , filled with white meat paste made from poultry, veal, or lean pork mixed with cream, eggs, flour and spices. In this case it looks to be this sausage served with apples, or if you mistyped by mistake, pommes 'frites' are fries <BR> <BR>Andouillette de chez Duval au Chardonnay?-A cooked sausage (sometimes smoked) consisting of pork or veal intestine served in small portions either fried, grilled or with a sauce. <BR> <BR>Cassoulet? MMM, a white bean stew with mutton, lamb, pork, pork sausage, or goose, depending on its city of origin-Castelnaudry, Carcassonne or Toulouse. <BR> <BR>Pave du boucher sauce bernaise?-I am not certain, someone could help me out here, but I think this is a thick piece of steak served with bone marrow and bernaise. <BR> <BR>I'm really looking forward to seeing some of these kitchens and see what is new and up coming! Dorie Greenspan's article hit my trip right on the head! <BR> <BR>Wendy <BR> <BR>

Pat

I find everything described above very unappealing. Is there anything else on the menu at Fontaine de Mars? Organ meats are not my thing, nor my husband's. <BR> <BR>Help!!!!

wendy

That's what I was thinking as I answered those questions, I could have done a better job making them sound appealing!? The bistro specializes in Southwestern cooking and they are specialties. <BR> <BR>The bistro does serve a wonderful a duck breast n cream and mushroom sauce,... but this is the typical type of fare served here. <BR> <BR>S. Fowler, Ursula and St. Cirq? <BR>

s.fowler

First off Patti -- Welcome to France. The food is different. It isn't the same as "back home". You asked for a French dinner. The menu at La Fontaine de Mars is what it looks like. <BR> <BR>Okay. At out table at La Fontaine de Mars people had cassoulet [me], racks of lamb [be sure to ask for well done!] and salmon. This is what I remember. My cassoulet was absolutely traditional. I didn't eat it all because I had had a mushroom "pate" for the appetizer [they call it "entree"] that was to die for. <BR> <BR> I don't know what to say to you. There should be choices that will be less "foreign" -- but then you're in France. It you want a meal that isn't foreign then order "steak frites" at a corner bistro. My apologies for being "snippy" -- we thought you wanted a real french meal.

Patti Suttle

S. Fowler-that was not me that said it did not sound appealing!!! That was Pat-I am Patti. I did ask what the items on the menu meant-only so I can be a bit imformed for my first night. <BR>And, yes, I do want a French meal and I have no problem with what was mentioned-I can taste the cassoulet now!! <BR>I AM going to France for their food!! <BR>Patti <BR>

wendy

Patti, <BR> <BR>I still think I could have found a more appetizing way to say it...hope the translations were helpful anyway. <BR> <BR>Wendy

Patti Suttle

Wendy-no,don't feel bad about the explanations of the French food. Thank you sooo much for all your replies/help/information. I really, really appreciate it. I guess I am obsessing about my first French meal but I really want (for all of us) it to make a great first impression! <BR>And, just hearing about the restaurants and good times others have had adds to the excitement. I am glad to know what the food really is. Thank you! <BR>Patti

Gayle

Just wanted to post another vote for Thomieux. Went there twice in November. Gotta get the escargots, anything with duck(except the duck cassoulet - my friend ordered it and it wasn't worth writing home about...) or duck parts(I had their sauteed 'foie gras'- YUM!) and you MUST order their creme brulee for dessert!! Wine selection was ok. Be prepared to speak a little French, tho, because even with my spotty French we were struggling....Don't let the language barrier intimidate you, tho!! Bonne chance!

Patti Suttle

Wendy-I just now looked back at the menu from La Fontaine De Mars and that was not a typo-it really says: Boudin au pommes fruit! Its under Main courses & Specialties. It costs 70ff. <BR>Patti <BR>

Margaret

The places you've mentioned are all commonly mentioned in the tour guides and by St Cirq. Just a few of dozens of restaurants within walking distance of your hotel. There are much better, and moderately priced, restaurants some streets over or just a metro stop or two away. For your first night, any of them would be fine. The best way to find the best meals in Paris is to walk a few blocks out of your way, look and menus, look inside, and book a place that looks good to you. I do hope your group of ten will not be a loud, boisterous group. Nothing worse than trying to have a nice, quiet, dinner, with a large, loud party nearby.