We're going to Italy and all the prices I've seen for restaurants look really expensive. I wondered if any of you fellow budget travelers have used the "Cheap Eats" books and if so what were your experiences? <BR> <BR>If the old adage, "you get what you pay for" comes into effect we may be better off getting picnic lunches... <BR> <BR>Many thanks in advance!

We used the Cheap Eats books in London and were very happy with the five restaurants we chose from the book. You should be aware that the name "cheap" may be misleading. The intro in the book explains that the books provide places that offer good value for your money not necessarily inexpensive restaurants (or hotels).

It's way too late and very curmudgeonly, but I REALLY wish they'd chosen another title. "Eats" for eating, dining, food, restaurants, is about as no-class as you can get. It may be a very useful guide but it gives me the image of several Beverly Hillbillies wandering around the streets of Paris, scratching and spitting. <BR> <BR>Just had to get that off my chest.

We also used "Cheap Eats in London". Never had a bad meal, except the first day when we didn't use the book. It than became our dining bible. We actually had good meals in London, when our friends didn't. The one fish and chips place friends recommended before we left Massachusetts, was in the book and very fresh and cheap.

We had great success with Cheap Eats in Paris. Agree that "cheap" is not an appropriate description of the restaurants included. Would be better described as consistent, reliable, good value. Places we selected in the Paris edition at the low end of the price range provided the best meals we enjoyed while in Paris.

We haven't used "Cheap Eats" books. <BR>We have used Rick Steves travel books and visited some of his restaurants which he classifies with prices.

I have used the C.E. books for Paris, London, and Italy. I have found the recommendations and the details provided to be entirely reliable. I will add that the more I used the books the more I learned to pay attention to the details; when the author writes that the lavatory in the place is primitive, or the set menu is much cheaper than a la carte, or the "tourist" menu features 5 ways to cook squid, she is always correct.

I agree with Wendy & Donna re pricing. <BR>We've used "Cheap Eats" on our recent trip to Paris with great success and <BR>recommend it highly - never had a negative experience! <BR> <BR>Anita <BR>

I'll add another testimonial. I've used Paris Pas Cher and guide books for 10 years to find reasonable restaurants in Paris. This November I used CE for the first time (because of comments on this forum) and was delighted. It had all my old favorites and many good new choices.

Another satisfied customer! We've used the C.E. books in Italy, and were always happy and well fed. I'd recommend them.

We've used the Paris edition. It confirmed some other choices we had been eyeing from other guides. The "gem" we found was Les Jardin des Pates. [garden of pasta] right next to... you guessed it - the Jardin des Plantes in the 5eme. The pasta is homemade and delicious, not paricularly french except for the ingredients, but a lot of fun. You sit at communal tables. The owner is a lot of fun, but he DOES prefer that you make reservations. I think they have opened a second restaurant. It was the only place we ate at twice in our '92 12 day stay!

I used the book for Paris last May and enjoyed all the meals (about 6-7 restaurants from the book). Also, when in Rome, we went to one restaurant listed in the book and it was very good! I agree that the title is misleading.

We used the Cheap Eats book in London. We dined at about 5 of the places listed in the book. A couple of times we chose places that were off the beaten track, which was fun to try and find and wander around neighborhoods. I also think the title is misleading, but the recommendations great.

Chiming in with another endorsement - I've used the Italian book and had all good experiences and I'm buying the Paris one for my next trip. Highly recommended!