Kerouac (and/or other Paris residents) - need restaurant help!
 

Kerouac (and/or others): I'm in Paris (hello, rain!) and am looking for a nice restaurant for dinner with a friend this week.

Another friend recommended L'Epouvantail (http://www.lepouvantail.com/) which would have been nice, but it's closed right now. Here are some specifics - any help is greatly appreciated!:

AREAS: Ideally the Marais or Latin Quarter, but we're open to jumping on the metro.

PRICE: 50 euros and under for a price fixed menu

FOOD: We're open to all cuisines, but we'd like something a bit fresh... i.e. a young chef trying something new, seasonal ingredients, inventive, etc.

ATMOSPHERE: We're both women in our 30s... my friend would like to try someplace a bit upscale, but still young feeling, if that makes sense.

Again, any help is appreciated - all of the great restaurants seem to be closed in August!

Hi S,

>all of the great restaurants seem to be closed in August!

August is traditionally vacation time in France.

Take a look at www.la-mediterranee.com

((I))

I don't bother with upscale anymore, except when I am forced into it, i.e. somebody else is paying. One can get equal or better food for a fraction of the price if one knows where to look 'downscale'. Yes, I know that "atmosphere" is important for a lot of people and also that the whole routine of a fancy restaurant is like being in a play. No, thank you, not for me.

How about fusion cuisine? Zango (www.zango.fr) might be of interest. It certainly won't break your budget.

we loved 'Market' - 15, av. Matignon near the Champs (not in your area i know) but the food is like 'provence meets the Pacific rim' - it is a restaurant in the jean georges vongerichten's empire.

does the 50E pp include wine?

we had two starters (one being a raw tasting and the other the black truffle & fontina cheese pizza, which at 27E could certainly cut down costs if you wanted) we had two mains (skate tempura and a tuna special that included seared, sashimi and tartare.)

dinner was excellent - we drank a bottle of pinot and the total bill was approx. 130E (close to the 50pp if it is not including wine)

AREAS: Ideally the Marais or Latin Quarter, but we're open to jumping on the metro. (NOPE)

PRICE: 50 euros and under for a price fixed menu (YUP)

FOOD: We're open to all cuisines, but we'd like something a bit fresh... i.e. a young chef trying something new, seasonal ingredients, inventive, etc. (OH YEAH)

ATMOSPHERE: We're both women in our 30s... my friend would like to try someplace a bit upscale, but still young feeling, if that makes sense. (PERFECT)

have fun!

here are some links -

http://www.bestrestaurantsparis.com/...il/market.html

http://www.jean-georges.com/

Thank you all so much - you've rescued our dinner!

Kerouac - my friend says Zango is just what she was looking for, so we're going to try that. But JMWF, I just made new dinner plans today with someone who coincidentally asked for something around Market's area, so that's perfect! Two winners.

Thanks again - I love this forum. :-)