I just remembered this website and thought it might give you some ideas, depending on your LA location: http://www.laokay.com/French.htm

Thank you so much for the suggestions. sightseer: I checked out the web site laokay.com and found Brasserie des Artistes, and it looks feasible,fun,and casual enough because I am planning to go with family, including a 2 yr old and a 3 yr old, mainly for dessert. (We'll be having dinner elsewhere). Also, Ronda: you are so thoughtful in your responses: Yes, although not perfume, I bought some vanilla toiletries from Paris, which I will wear with pleasure. Lesli: And recently I found a wonderful perfume locally made in Paris and I might just splurge and get it. AGM: It will be fun to speak Francais all day. Good practice. This posting has been a lot of fun for me. Oh, and by the way, a friend of mine surprised me last night and drove me to a french restaurant to start the celebrating, and also surprised me with my family there! It was nice to have left over crepes for lunch today. Thank you again and I'm sure I'll have a birthday magnifique!

Rent Leos Carax' Lovers on the Bridge, ideally on DVD, and find the fireworks-on-the Seine thing to watch over and over until it's time to go to sleep.

Is that the movie with Juliette Binochet? If so, it isn't appropriate for 2 and 3 year olds. I really liked it as it shows the gritty side of Paris and has great sceanery in it, but ... Well, it is about drug adicts who live on the bridge across the Siene.

The French dinner, Edith Piaf CD in the car (or Chevalier or Michel Legrand) and then rent CHARADE. Nothing takes me to Paris like CHARADE: Audrey Hepburn in a Givenchy suit with Cary Grant strolling and cruising on the Seine.

Darlene,<BR><BR>I know your plans are all set for your birthday, but I live in Los Angeles as well, and if you are ever looking for French dining with a more Proven&ccedil;al flair, try Pastis on Beverly Blvd., near Crescent Hts. Every couple months they have a wine tasting dinner. It is a 5 course prix fixe menu for which a French winery provides a different wine for each course at no additional cost. You can also go in just for the tasting and forgo the meal! It's a lot of fun.