mrsfoodie

Hi everyone,
Need some help, taking husband away for one night & full day for his 40th birthday late April, accomodation booked, just need ideas for evening meal on our arrival night & lunch & early supper before departing for England at 8pm. His birthday is actually on the day we fly back.We have not visited Paris since our first wedding anniversary 14 yrs ago, (we had got engaged in this beautiful city). So i need help to put an realistic itenary together to surprise Husband (who knows nothing about the trip)that will allow us to enjoy the scenary, & culinary delights. We did the lourve & Eiffel tower, we love Monmartre & Sacre coeur. Need restaurant recommendations, coffee shops, with the big 40 in mind so needs to be special...........please help!

DougP

My restaurant suggestion is not the world's best but the location can't be beat. Le Vieux Bistro on the north side of Notre Dame.
After dinner the first evening go and watch the Eiffel Tower light up, in late April this should be aprox. 10 pm.
The next day I would walk along the Seine, see St Chappelle and the Latin Quarter including the Jardins of Luxembourg, the Pantheon, the Sorbonne and Rue Mouffetard ( sp?), stopping for lunch here or in the Jardins with some bread , cheese and wine.

sjk

Have dinner at the Eiffel tower the night you arrive, or take a dinner cruise on the Seine. The next day I would forgo the museums and just wander through the city, perhaps revisiting areas that you've already visited.

Budman

The concensus on this board was not to take the Seine dinner cruise, but just take the Seine cruise during sunset.

That's what we did, and we loved it. We did the Pont Neuf cruise. It is a bring-your-own cruise, so grab a bottle of wine, some cheese & bread, and enjoy!!!

mrsfoodie

Thanks for your replies so far.
Husband propsed to me on the Seine cruise under the Eiffel Tower, it was wonderful as you would expect. Due to the lack of time, I wondered if anyone could suggest any other truly wonderful places.............

ira

Hi mrsfoodie,
You can do a text search for "Paris restaurant". There are lots of threads.

Try the usual suspects, Jules Verne, Le Train Bleu, Tour d'Argent, Taillevent, for upscale splurge.

elaine

Hi
Look elsewhere here on fodors.com under Paris as a Destination; you will find suggestions for short stays, and also Rants and Raves comments for restaurants.
My favorite romantic and "moderately priced) restaurant is Chez Julien, near the Hotel de Ville. You can find comments on it here. Very good food, small and charming atmosphere, lace curtains and all.

I have a file on Paris; if you'd like to see it,email me at
[email protected]

SugarPlum

I was in Paris last month for my 40th birthday. For my birthday evening meal, we went to L'Orangerie, on Ile St. Louis. The food was wonderful (prix fixe at $75 euros, I think) -- apertif, starter, entre, dessert, bottle of wine. The restaurant is small -- seats maybe 40, the staff was attentive, and the other diners seemed to all be French. The atmosphere was charming -- cozy and warm. We went on the recommendation of a friend who lives in Paris, and weren't disappointed. Have a great visit!

KathyNZ

I was scanning the responses and about to suggest Iles St Louis also, it is a delightful area to stroll round and relatively non touristy. Lots of gorgeous little shops specialising in olive oil, pastries, flowers, jewellery and plenty of nice eateries.