kerouac

That's a pretty good description, tod. In any case, when the French talk to each other and say "let's go to a bistro" they are talking about having a drink, not eating. This can cause confusion with visitors who have learned to speak a reasonable amount of French but who have not yet learned the context of all expressions. In Parisian life, there is "bistro" and there is "resto." One is for drinking and one is for eating.

Laidback

"I am staying on rue Caulaincourt this coming June so I am interested in some of other suggestions as well."

My favorite in Montmartre is "La Table d'Eugene" on rue Eugene Sue, near the mairie; in the same area we had a good meal at "O.J.", just behind the church. More expensive, especially if you stray from the menu, but good, is "Cottage Marcadet" and "Beauvilliers".

We also like "Le Refuge" but for a cheeseburger prefer "Chez Ginette" just up the stairs on the Caulaincourt side of the metro. There is a very popular Thai/Asian restaurant "Le Sourire de Saigon" on rue Mont Cenis which we found good, not excellent.

As long as you avoid the places around Place du Tertre you can eat well, inexpensively. Have a very good trip.

Laidback

My bad; Beauvilliers is not Beauvilliers anymore but Chamarré; same location on Rue Lamarck, just down the hill from Sacre Coeur.

SuzChicago

bookmarking

oakglen

Hi Laidback, Le Maquis, at #69, is an old favorite, but we haven't been back for some time. Perhaps you could check it out during your stay. Thanks, Oakglen

Laidback

I did recently, as it had been years; still busy, with not as zippy a menu as I remembered before; perfectly adequate, decent value probably influenced by the large retirement type residential building across the street.

robjame

Hi – I had the same question awhile back and you might like to view the Fodors thread on that topic.
http://preview.tinyurl.com/yel2pgc

Also
http://preview.tinyurl.com/ydets9t

my blog on the 18th including food photos and recommendations. Included is some pics of a mini Paris GTG. Just page forward by clicking on the “next entry” at the bottom.
Good luck.

kerouac

If you do not retain all of these addresses and names, you will still not starve and you have a good chance of eating well for a reasonable price. The very best tool is the fact that all eating establishments must post their full menu outside. Do not let anybody talk you into coming in and sitting down until you have read it thoroughly.

annhig

hi prepar,

if you come out of Abbess metro station and turn LEFT, there are loads of lovely little neighbourhood bars, cafes and restaurants. turn right, and it gets progressively more touristy until you get up to the Place du tertre and Sacre Coeur. go downhill the other [eastern] side of Sacre Coeur and you'll find you're doing that both literally and metaphorically - an area to stay away from.

when we were there last weekend, there was an excellent busker just outside abbess metro, and some less good ones elsewhere. also the church right next to the station is worth a peek to look at the art nouveau interior, and lovely stained glass.

have a great trip,

regards, ann

StCirq

Regarding the persistent bracelet pests, my kids figured out how to deal with that effectively. They brought their own bracelets - those plastic snap-on ones that are always popular during the Tour de France - and whenever they got approached by a bracelet scammer pulled out their own bracelet and tried to put it on the offender's wrist. Worked like a charm - no words need be exchanged.

gelatolover

bookmarking.

kerouac

Even though gypsies approach me regularly with the 'do you speak English' line, I have never been approached by (or even seen) a bracelet guy. Yet I have been through the Sacré Coeur area about 6 times this month. I must repel them.