Eat what the locals eat. In Paris, mussels and wine are cheap. Don't order a steak and a Bud Light. In England, eat at a Chinese restaurant. In Australia and New Zealand, look for a restaurant that doesn't have a wine license and bring your own bottle. Restaurants usually have their menus posted so look at them carefully before you sit down. I always try to find a view and eat outside to avoid the smoke.

Wiesel, I don't follow your rationale for trashing Elaine's suggestions. You asked for tips and suggestions, and everyone is providing very good ones, including Elaine. If you are asking for this type of advice, how does it fit that you are already so knowledgeable about eating in less central areas and that you'll pay less outside of Paris? How would she know that you know that? Please treat all of these posts as you would anyone's advice - take what you want, leave the rest. No need to trash someone who gave innocently helpful information (especially when what she said is true).

Thanks for the support compadres.
If you click on Wiesel's name, you'll see that mine is not the first hand that he's bitten, on prior occasions he has asked questions indicating inexperience with something, and then snapped back that the information provided is too basic or insulting or not what is wanted. He even did it to good ol' ira.

...It's as if we're supposed to be mind readers and intuit precisely what he already knows.
It would be so much less rude if he/she simply skipped over whatever is not wanted or needed; the providing of it was well-meant. But I'll avoid answering in the future as clearly he/she doesn't merit any effort.

I just re-read the OP
I guess "I would appreciate any recs for cheaper types of places"
wasn't true.

Well Wiesel, If you're so damn smart why do you think dinner for two is going to be at least 60 Euro per couple?

You ask for help, then insult the suggestions given. Nice (not!).

Still looking for suggestions for good creperie serving "dinner crepes" for those nights when we don't want a big meal.

I promise not to bark at anyone who might make a suggestion that doesn't fit my criteria! O:)

(Oh, and I don't care for crepes with a raw egg on top!)

Seems this Wiesel is really a Weasel!

JeanneB: There's a wide, long street running off the main square in front of the Tour Montparnasse that has loads and loads of creperies - sort of a slice of Brittany in the heart of Paris. I don't have my Paris map with me at the moment, but maybe someone else will know it.

The street St.Cyr probably means is rue du Montparnasse between Boulevard Edgar Quinet and Boulevard du Montparnasse. Lots of creperies. I ate at Creperie Josselin, which was lively, crowded and quite good.

Apologies to StCirq, I really do know your name.

Be careful if you follow Isabel's advice and eat in the streets surrounding Place St. Michel. Some French have nicknamed it Bacteria Alley - in reference to the inexpensive "almost street food" options.

That's OK, Nikki - St-Cyr is a common variation on the name!

KateW: I think Wiesel deserves to eat in Bacteria Alley. But you're right - I agree - that's the one part of Paris I actively AVOID eating in!

Thanks for the recommendations around Montparnasse. That's one area of Paris we never got to last time and I hope to make up for it this trip.

On the other hand, I've also heard of several excellent seafood restaurants in the same vicinity....
So hard to choose!

Mmmm yes! The rue du Monparnasse has lots of great creperies. Have had several great meals at one called Port Manech - especially enjoy their crepe called Tartiflette: potatoes, lardons and reblochon cheese. Last month, enjoyed another place on the same street - it was called St. Malo.

Kir Royale

<<I've also heard of several excellent seafood restaurants in the same vicinity....>>

Jeanne,

In Montparnasse, I would avoid the famous (and overpriced) Le D&ocirc;me in favor of <b> Le Cameleon</b> (two blocks away).

Not strictly a seafood restaurant but it's always available in the daily specials (or even off the regular menu). MUCH better and less than half the price. Reservations essential - only about 10 tables total.

&quot;Wiesel, I don't follow your rationale for trashing Elaine's suggestions.&quot;

Then you are very dense. You don't need some one to tell you that the sky is blue. I get tired out people with nothing to say who refuse to keep quiet and who just lower the signal-noise ratio further. Gee, big cities are more expensive. Wow. That's really helful!! I never would have guessed!!!!

&quot;t would be so much less rude if he/she simply skipped over whatever is not wanted or needed; the providing of it was well-meant. But I'll avoid answering in the future as clearly he/she doesn't merit any effort.&quot;

Gee, that will be a terrific loss to humanity.

Not.

&quot;I just re-read the OP
I guess &quot;I would appreciate any recs for cheaper types of places&quot;
wasn't true.&quot;

I could have said that I would appreciate reasonable, intelligent and helpful suggestions. I was silly to assume that part and that most people would have the brains not to waste my time telling me stuff like big cities are more expensive.

A case can be made that most of the suggestions you received are somewhat common sense ones. Save money by eating sandwiches, buying food at grocery stores, having picnics, eating at ethnic restaurants, choosing only one or two courses at a restaurant, finding restaurants away from the main tourist sites, and yes, making up for the more expensive meals in Paris with less expensive meals in the countryside. But these are the things people do to save money while traveling, and they are the best ideas people could come up with in response to your request. I see no sign that anybody meant to offend you by offering these suggestions, and nobody invited the sarcastic response you offered as thanks.

None of these suggestions was invalid, and I don't really get why you singled one of them out with such a harsh response. I suppose I'm inviting a harsh response here myself, but oh well, I like to try to be the voice of reason.

Wiesel, I hope you enjoy your visit to Paris, but I doubt the Parisians will...

Wiesel: Since you're obviously a person of superior intelligence, can you spell I.N.G.R.A.T.E.???