Beatchick

Was wondering if anyone had ever been to Le Valentin, the tea salon inside the Passage Jouffroy? If so, is it recommendable?

If not, do you know of any nice cafes or tea salons within close proximity to Passage Jouffroy? I was going to go to Cafe de la Paix but it'll be closed until "April 2003". I'll be in Paris April 2003, but I'm certain that cafe will still be closed.

Barring any other suggestions, I guess maybe Laduree near the Madeleine???

Thanks ~ MaryC : )

Christina

I'm not sure, but if it's the one I'm thinking of (just before Hotel Chopin on the right), it's nothing special and I wouldn't make a special trip to go there. I've been in there shopping and think I saw it. It's nothing like the deluxe tea salons down in the 8th/1st (Laduree, etc), even the ones in the dept. stores are much nicer, from what I saw. I would regard it has an okay place to stop for a break if you were shopping in there, but that's about it--I don't like places without windows that much, I will admit, but this not only doesn't have windows but is sort of open to the mall and just seems like nothing special as a sit-down place, although great for buying and taking with you (the one I'm thinking of was a patisserie/boulangerie and mainly for take-away sales).

Christina

When I say no windows, I mean to the outside world, the street as there are onto the passage. There's a nice cafe down on the corner of the passage entrance and bd Montmartre but it's nothing unusual or fancy, just a nice average cafe--that's the main big street around there that has the bigger cafes that I noticed. Maybe there's something special I don't know up there, but it isn't that far from the 8th or Madeleine/Opera area so I'd just go back down there. Why don't you try the Grand Cafe on bd des Capucines as an alternative to Cafe de la Paix, it's a well known Belle Epoque cafe.

Scarlett

Hi Beatchick
I have no knowledge of Le Valentin, but I second Christinas recommendation of Le Grand Cafe. We have stopped there a couple of times for a nice cup of tea and something sweet, also for lunch.
Are you considering Mariage Freres? Here is a nice list of salons de the that you might like~
'Ladurée' on the Champs-Elysées -
'A Priori Thé' in the 2nd arrondissement's Galerie Vivienne.
In the 4th arrondissement - 'La Charlotte de l'Isle' on the Ile Saint-Louis and 'Le Loir Dans la Théiere' near the beginning of the Rue des Rosiers.
Hope this helps, or sorry if you become even more confused

Beatchick

Thanks, Christina, that's exactly the kind of answer I was looking for! I do love Belle Epoque splendour!!

Hi Scarlotta!! I was really trying to find something nearby, in that area, so Le Grand Cafe sounds perfect.

The original plans were to go to the Passage Jouffroy late afternoon that day, go to the Cafe de la Paix and then head up to 21 rue Malasherbas to see one of the places F. Scott & Zelda lived. I'll just substitute Le Grand Cafe - PERFECT!

Thank you both so much!!! : ) ~MaryC

Beatchick

Oooh, and Scarlett? I plan to go to Mariage Freres on another day! Mmmmm. Also, I'm using your suggestions of L'Epi Dupin & La Coupole - thanks ever so much!!

Okay, this question goes off-topic but I've read in many different places that the staff is rude/brusque at L'Epi Dupin but that the food is divine. Did you have that experience of rudeness? If so, is it worth putting up with the rudeness? I know it's a fave of many here, including Monica.

Scarlett

Mary, you know me ! I get along with everybody LOL~actually, I must admit, that I have never had a rude happening while in Paris (we won't talk about that boorish German in the bistro one night)and L'Epi Dupin is no exception. The food is quite on the "edge", when I am in doubt, I look for some kind of roast chicken

Beatchick

LOL - yes, true, true! Well, that's that then - I'M GOING TO L'EPI DUPIN!! Rude waiters be damned (or ignored). And to Le Grand Cafe. : )

RonZ

There is a very old tea room across the from Passage Jouffroy in the Passage de Panoramas, but my favoriten spot there is a simple little plasce, La Creperie, which serves delicious coupes. By the way, on the way down th Galerie Vivienne, you will pass the brasserie Le Vaudeville, which is a terrific restaurant. I lunched once at the Cafe de la Paix and was disappionted. Le Grand Cafe, on the other hand, is a wonderful place.

Beatchick

Thank you, RonZ - very suggestions you have there!

Beatchick

Very GOOD suggestions, thanks RonZ!! ; )