On our last visit to Paris we stayed in the Marais and the 5th so I am not very familiar with this part of Paris. Any recommendations for good restaurants in the area? Especially for our first night, Sat. May 3, when we will probably be too jet lagged to walk very far. The hotel is located at the edge of 6th district on 3 Rue du Pre aux Clercs.

Also, I would love to hear of any good Vietnamese restaurants in Paris. I know they have a large Vietnamese population and when we lived in Paris in the late 1970's the 5th had many great asian restaurants.

The closest place I can think of is Fish La Boissonerie, at 69 rue de Seine in the 6th. I would estimate it's about a 5-minute walk from your hotel. To get there from your hotel, walk up to rue de l'Universite and turn right. After a block or so, rue de l'Universite becomes rue Jacob. Continue along rue Jacob until it runs into rue de Seine (where rue Jacob ends), and Fish will be about half a block down to the right.

Fish is small and very popular (deservedly), so it would be a good idea to have a reservation.

You won't have any trouble finding a place nearby for the first night, or even for several nights. On rue St-Benoit, virtually around the corner, is l'Entrecôte, where you won't even need to make a choice. The only thing they serve is a very tasty steak with 'special' sauce preceded by a salad and accompanied by delicious frites. Now that I think of it, you do have choices of dessert. This place takes no reservations and is always full, but it turns the tables frequently without ever appearing to rush you. It's worth a wait.

If you'd rather not wait or if steak doesn't appeal to you, there are several other restaurants on the same street, Brasserie Lipp just across the boulevard, and many other places on rue Jacob/rue de l'Université.

As for Vietnamese food, Lao Lane Xang, 103, avenue d'Ivry in the 13th is supposed to be very good, and there is a newer, more upscale version run by the children of the original family, called Lao Lane Xang 2, at 102, avenue d'Ivry that has been getting good reviews just recently from Parisian reviewers. They are described as Lao-Vietnamese and are very popular. You probably should reserve.

Thanks for the suggestions. I have been reading about l'Entrecôte and that sounds perfect for our first jet lagged night. Anyone have any thoughts on Restaurant des Beaux Arts or Le Perraudin in the 5th for other meals?

That hotel is only about 3-4 blocks from the epicenter of St Germain (bd St Germain at rue de Rennes), no need to look for a restaurant right near the hotel. There are dozens of them in St Germain.