Hi again,<BR>Need to decide between two bistros for a very relaxed evening meal. My choice (with the help of Patricia Wells reviews) are between Au Bon Accueil &amp; Les Bookinistes.<BR>My only concern with the first choice is that one review spoke of how smokey it was which sounded quite off putting, but I gather you can book a table on the tiny sidewalk, but if the weather is bad our choice is then restricted.The second choice sounds wonderful too which makes my decision even harder!<BR>I have booked La Tour D'Argent for husband's birthday lunch the following day, so would prefer a cozy relaxed atmosphere for this meal. Has anyone eaten at these bistros recently &amp; if so was it good &amp; what did you eat? Or perhaps there are other bistros which I should consider? Please let me know.

We had dinner at Les Bookinistes in October on the recommendation of some on this board. The location is lovely, the restaurant is very modern but intimate in the closeness of tables. The service was excellent--very attentive.<BR><BR>Having said all that, I don't know that I'd eat there again. We had a fish chowder for a starter that was absolutely incredible, but the maiin course (I had confit of duck, can't remember what my husband had but it was probably beef) wasn't particularly special or memorable.<BR><BR>My choice would be Au Gourmet de Lille, which we loved. Small, intimate wine-cellar type restaurant in a 400-year old building on the Isle St. Louis. <BR><BR>Have a great time.

mrsfoodie - I believe someone gave a poor review just this week to Au Bon Accueil on the bonjourparis.com Forum. HTH,<BR>Mara

Thank you MelJ for your great advice. I have just looked up your choice in my guide book &amp; it does read well &amp; it's in an area of great food shops, so right up my street! I may go book this. Any tips for the best table?<BR>Thanks also to Mara for your link to another site, but so far unable to track the article which you mentioned. I'll keep looking.

We had a table in the front at a window, but it was evening and the street is narrow and dark, so I can't say it was an important part of the experience. It's very small, so I'd have been happy with any table. You will definitely need reservations, but we had no trouble getting them two days in advance (hint, we had our concierge make all dinner reservations. I think it helped that they were doing it in efficient French

Thanks melJ, I booked lunch @ la Tour D'Argent all by myself, and I have to say although I started off in French &amp; politely asked if anyone spoke English, I did feel that i was doing him a favour! When i said I would like to book a table, his response was 'perhaps!'. I did however mangaged to get the reservation for the day of my husband's 40th birthday and because of the occasion I did ask if we could have a window seat and he was very abrupt saying that he couldn't be sure. I have since spoken to the conceige of our hotel &amp; explained my disppointment &amp; he suggested that he would ring again and organise it for me. So your advice is very good!