Last month I made my first visit to Paris and, though I was very disappointed with the city itself by and large, we were very fortunate to enjoy a couple of great meals. I’ve noticed many posts here asking for advice on good places to eat so I’ll add my two cents.<BR><BR>Some French friends of ours wanted to take us to dinner at a place that they consider “above the fray,” and we ended up at a caf&eacute; called Le Viennois Restaurant at 118 Rue des Dames. (telephone 01 42 93 34 40)<BR><BR>(www.leviennois.com). <BR><BR>The food was very, very good, the service was impeccable. We ate downstairs in the “bodega” and were treated like royalty. I asked my friend to let me leave the tip. Upon looking at the bill I was pleasantly surprised to find that, though no one would ever call it inexpensive, neither was it excessive by any reckoning. Very fairly priced, I would say.<BR><BR> I’m reasonably sure that my friends had called ahead for reservations. The place isn’t awfully big and I seriously doubt that you could just stroll in and have a meal.<BR><BR>I hope that some of you find this helpful.<BR>

How could anyone be disappointed with Paris. Just being there, walking the streets, munching on a baguette is worth the price of admission.

The tip wasn't included????

I sounds like a nice suggestion, but there are no prices in their web page.<BR>can you give a range of what is "Very fairly priced" for you?<BR><BR>Thanks

Sue, for about the millionth time -- no restaurant bill I've ever seen in Paris or any other city of Europe includes a tip. It does include a standard service charge levied by the restaurant. But a "tip" for a server giving extra or special service is never included and always greatly appreciated, except by the cheapskates who don't believe in them and feel that the tippers make them look bad -- which of course is true.<BR>Any good Parisian adds a tip (5 to 10%) to the bill at a fine restaurant if the service has been excellent.

Well, aren't we snippy? I always add a little extra, but have never felt it necessary to look at the bill to determine it. Maybe that's why the waitress told the Americans at Au Temps Perdu that the "service" was included, but told others that the "pourboire" wasn't. Yeah, right.