Mother and daughter arriving in Paris on New Years' Eve looking for an affordable option for dinner near Rue Cler. What goes on in Paris in the form of celebration that night?

You can pretty much forget most restaurant options at this late date. I would suggest getting some gastronomic goodies and feasting in your room before attempting to venture out.

As for celebrations, there are two mob scenes on the 31st. A lot of clueless tourists gather around the Eiffel Tower, thinking they are going to see fireworks. They are not. And on the Champs Elsyées, closed to traffic from 6 p.m. (great for all of those middle-of-the-street pictures), but also with shopfronts boarded up as though waiting for a hurricane, 200 to 500 thousand people will gather and become increasingly rowdy (and dangerous with flying bottles). I would say that it is safe until about half past midnight, and then any sensible person should get the hell away from there. The metro will be running all night, free of charge.

I cannot say whether these options will be open on New Year's eve so try and get in touch and make booking:

L' Esplanade, 52 rue FABERT-75007
Tel; 0147053880
Metro; Latour Maubourg
Seats; 120

La Fontain de Mars,
129 rue Saint-Dominique, 75007
Tel; 0147054544
Metro; Ecole Militaire

La Petite Chaise
36 rue de Grenelle - 75007
Tel; 0142221335
Metro; Sevre`s-Babylone
Seats 80

Cafe` de Mars,
11 rue Augereau - 75007
Tel' 0147050591
Metro; Ecole Militaire

Bistrot Du 7eme -75007
56 Blvd de la Tour Maubourg,
Tel; 0145519308
Metro; Latour Maubourg

Failing all those, we were given a good recommendation by our hotel (Hotel Duquesne) for Bistrot "B" which I think is in Ave.de la Bourdonnaise - Metro Ecole Militaire.
We did not have good food at La Terrasse which is right next to the Metro Ecole Militaire.
If you want Chinese food there is a decent place underneath Hotel Duquesne on the corner of Ave.Lowendal & Duquesne.

Lots of luck!

The majority of restaurants open on New Year's eve will be serving only special fixed-price, more expensive, meals, typically including Champagne and foie gras. But with some looking and flexibility, perhaps going farther afield, you may be able to find a place operating normally.

Hi 11,

I suggest that you ask your hotel to get you a reservation at whatever might still have space.

Otherwise, follow Kerouac's advice.

Thank you for the info. I had no idea it would be so "nuts" and I sure don't want to get caught in a "mosh" pit of people on the first night. I will indeed talk with my hotel right away for a dinner reservation or we'll stock up on some goodies and venture out later keeping a safe distance to "see in" the New Year.

My hotel suggests Le Bistrot du 7eme. Has anyone been there? They said it's about 30 euros.

Tod,
Thank you for the great listing of restaurants. We will be certain to try them throughout our stay in Paris. Everyone is so helpful. I've learned so much that just isn't in the guidebooks.

HI 11,

There are 2 good reviews here.
http://tinyurl.com/y3olh2

and a 3rd one here
http://tinyurl.com/y26jfp