jetsetj - had never seen that quote before but I like it - Mark Twain was quite a wit.

I like the quote, as well. Thanks, guys, for the continued
suggestions.

What type of food do you want to eat? There is such a choice!
I can give you three good adresses, one is:
Chez Nathalie rue Vandrezanne in the 13th (Just by Bastilles, where you can visit the Opera, in addition to going to a concert). Very tasty food, creative and not too expensive.
The other is Brasserie Le Stella Av Victor Hugo in the 16th (close to Arc of Triumph). Very french type of food, more expensive (but in that area it's difficult to find good cheap meal).
Now you should take a brunch in the Coquelicot rue des Abbesses, if you are having a day visit of Montmartre, the service is very good, the breads are fantastic, the cakes are wonderful and the prices very very reasonable.

I agree with d_claude-bear

I've been to Paris several times and the best restaurants were the ones I stumbled upon (hence, I can't remember the name) after getting lost!

I think the restaurants that are in the tourist books are almost never worth the money (tourist traps)and are only mentioned because of their proximity to the Parisian monuments. As tourists, they depend on us to be too afraid of traveling outside of our comfort zone. So they offer bland food, throw a french name on it and voila! French Cuisine that everyone must have!

But every now and then, a tricky and brave tourist lands in their city and discovers a low key restaurant with good food; and saves a few bucks in the process!

Believe it or not, there is a yacht basin where the St. Martin Canal ends near Place de Bastille. On the east side of the yacht basin is a lovely restaurant that overlooks the yacht basin and the city. I have no idea of the name, but we certainly enjoyed it.

Uma,
Beg, borrow or steal a copy of "Clotilde's Edible Adventures in Paris" and also check out her blog www.chocolateandzucchini.com. Clotilde, who lives in Paris, knows food.Her recommendations and reviews are wonderful. Bon Appetit !

Bookmarking

Im almost embarrassed to admit my naivete about French food.
I recently saw Barefoot Contessa make Tartines. Basically an open-faced sandwich. Where is a good place in 4th or 5th for these tasty morsels?

If the line is long at L'as du fallafel, which it usually is, you can go across the straat to Mi Va Mi. The NYTimes wrote...

"At this restaurant, located in the heart of Jewish Paris, the lines are short, the service is friendly, and the falafel and spit-grilled shwarma are fantastic. Ask for some zesty red salade Turque on top and finish with excellent fig strudel at nearby Florence Finkelstein."

Pjk

Uma,

We loved La Petite Chaise. On the border of the 6th/7th - 5 blocks to the Saint-Germain-des-Prés church. Not only excellent in every way and affordable but it's been there since 1680.

http://www.alapetitechaise.fr/

More questions, more replies. Thanks, all. So many suggestions
and places to check out; wish we had more than a week to spend. I know we'll be frequenting boulangeries and patisseries, too!

The Smoking Dog restaurant that JulieV mentioned is one that we really enjoy. We found it on our trip 2 years ago and went there a couple times. When we returned this summer, we had to go back.

La Petite Chaise!

I had forgotten that I have eaten there on several occasions, the last time in June, 1999.

The salmon was very good.

Thin

My new favorite resto that I "discovered" last trip is in L'Hotel, on rue des Beaux Arts. Most memorable meal of my trip, and I dined at L'Espadon as well, just mentioning that for comparison.

where is The Smoking Dog restaurant ?

What are your favorites in the 5th?

I found this interesting...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXK9SR_DQ-w

comments???