cybertraveler,
If I were you I would heed Underhill's suggestions.I happen to really love Violin d' Ingres.Think about your total experience you could get a fabulous hotel room for the price of one dinner at Tallevent. It's all about priorities you'll be with your sweetheart of 30 years everything else will pale in comparion.
Just a reality check, Happy 30th Anniversary!
Fluffy

Just to second your decision, I wanted to throw in my two cents. We've been to Taillevent and Lucas Carton, as well as Michel Rostang (2*) and Jacques Cagna (2* at the time, now 1*). While we had wonderful experiences at all of them, I would go back to Michel Rostang and Jacques Cagna, whereas I view the other two as a once-in-a-lifetime rather over-the-top experience.

In deciding on a restaurant, look (as you are) at websites and menus; also look at pictures of the interiors, to see if it's the kind of place you have in mind. Both Michel Rostang and Jacques Cagna are warm, welcoming smaller restaurants decorated in a low-key style (as opposed to modern, for example), and we felt welcomed and were well taken care of at both places.

Have fun making your decision!

Well, shoot. It looks highly unlikely that I'll ever make it into either of these haute cuisine palaces. C'est la vie, I guess.

My comfort is in the memory of watching a couple leave Tour d'Argent a couple of years ago. If everyone in there was that gorgeous and well groomed, well dressed, well coiffed, etc., well then, we would have felt a bit awkward. These two were gorgeous!

They looked like they were in a movie, and they got into a nice limo, too.

In Paris, we walk everywhere, and even my nicest shoes weren't up to the heavenly little strappy heels on the woman leaving Tour d'Argent. I would certainly need new shoes. And new hair. Oh, and new glasses, clothes, a nice French purse, manicure, a facial... well, a whole new me!

For those who have been to either or both of these restaurants: are most of the patrons gorgeously dressed, kept, and coiffed? Or did I just happen to see something unusual?

Well, people were dressed very nicely. Sounds like maybe you got a glimpse of a proposal evening, or something very special, though.

Astrance is VERY popular; ask your hotel to get you a reservation, as it must be made exactly on a certain number of days in advance.

If you go to Violon d'Ingres, be sure to let Catherine, British wife of the chef and a co-owner, know it's a special occasion when you make your reservation.

You can dine in one of the Paris 3 stars for lunch at a much lesser price although your menu selections would be more limited. Typical fixed price menus at such places as Le Cinq, Grand Vefour etc can be found for somewhere around E60/person plus wine etc. Total cost for two people would be in the low $200's.

If I take my wife to dinner at Taillevent, do I have to wear a jacket?

I was thinking that a nice black tee shirt with a pair of nice, clean denims should be sufficient.

I must have gone to Taillevent on a bad night because I did not think it was up to par for a 3* restaurant.

Le Cinq and L'Espadon were far better in my opinion.

Hi, a little update...I was able to get the reservation I wanted at Laserre. I'm hoping to hear about Astrance; from what I've read, I think we'd love it!

Thanks for the tip on the less expensive lunch menus, but we don't usually take the time for lunch, just grab a quick cafe latte and a snack, then back to the trenches for more shopping/sightseeing!

I have dined at Lucas Carton, Taillevent, Reminet, etc. But, my favourite restaurant in Paris is Violon d'Ingres.

Cybertravler-
Perhaps Les Ormes? I kept the card from the restaurant and will look for it tonight. I would be surprised if it has a website, but there may be write ups on it in guide books.

Two other ideas not yet listed in this thread:
Au Relais d'Auteuil, 31 blvd. Murat, in the upscale, residential Auteuil neighborhood (16th, metro Michel-Ange [as in Michelangelo] Auteuil). Excellent French food, fits exactly in your budget--about 100 euros per person for dinner. Has one or two Michelin stars, I forget which (am traveling in Florida at the moment, no Michelin guides handy). Warm, welcoming staff. Well off the tourist radar--most other diners will be Parisians from the neighborhood.
Kniaz Igor (www.kniaz-igor.com). In the 7th. Russian-French. A great place to celebrate a special occasion. Dine late, enjoy the live music. Most of the diners will be Parisians or Russian diplomats, journalists, expats. Staff will take good care of you, let them know it's a special occasion. You can easily dine for under $250.

there is the mystique at dining at these two that I understand. I had the famous pressed duck and never regretted it. Now we eat like our old simple selves but for a few days we felt what it was like for all you high rollers.

Have a wonderful time at Lasserre! I still remember the beautifully sculpted ice swan that perched atop the tray carrying our desserts.