We will be in Paris for my husband's 7? birthday (going on 17). He had lunch at Tour D'Argent in 1949 (!!!!) as a college student and thought of returning there. But then... on second thought decided it might be better to be more adventurous. I don't think we want to go with all the fol-de-rol of 3 stars, but as NYC dwellers we need a little something extra. Any body out there as old as the birthday boy who has special recommendations.

If you've never been to Le Train Bleu, at the Gare de Lyon, I'd recommend it for both the gorgeous fin de siecle decor-- and the food. And it doesn't need to break the bank! Check it out online at www.letrainbleu.com (or is it le-train-bleu?)

There are lots of fab dining options in Paris these days. Well done for moving beyond Le Td'A, it hasn't changed a bit -- but yes, there are other top restos for the big birthday bash.

Friends of mine recently had a wonderful, no-holds-barred lunch at Les Ambassadeurs . . . but this is the formal, old-school experience & not neccessarily the extra mile that savvy NY diners like you will need . . .

I've heard that Georges has finally figured out their food (earlier listings panned the cuisine): this might be the special experience you crave.

http://permanent.nouvelobs.com/conse..._2070_075.html

any other suggestions . . . ? (I'd counsel against anything near/in the Tour Eiffel)
HTH, lift a coupe de champagne for us
x

Guy Savoy would be excellent, as would Lasserre.

for Nostalgia, how about Cafe de la Paix? Old place, beautiful AND pricey for dinner. L'Arpege? Taillevant?

Le Grand Vefour?

Many thanks for all the suggestions. Looks like I have homework to do!

Hi again,

Unfortunately Le Monde doesn't have their reviews free online (they're great + hopelessly up to the minute). However, have a look at

http://www.figaroscope.fr/restaurant...staurants.html

Alternately, I also recommend TimeOut's annual Paris restaurant guide (it's a whole book), they seem to have a clue about what's in, what's ringaud, and what's overrated.
Again, HTH

and if you've the time ... there is a website called "reservethebest.com"
You can see pictures...read their own little biographies and sometimes see menus of LOTS AND LOTS of fine restaurants in Paris. They even categorize them by arrond.
Hotels there too if you want to know...

Thanks, Ealing and Suzie! Looks like I'll be spending the nite on this machine.

Because you wanted replies from someone your husband's age, I qualify only because I am somewhat older.

I have visited Paris off and on for almost 60 years, watching its many changes, some for the better and some for the worse. Like many old timers, I yearn for the past only because I cannot go there again.

The city's loss of small restaurants is most notable, largely due to rising rents and the large amount of capital required to open even a Mom-&-Pop place.

Without sounding maudlin, I would have to say that -- at his age and mine -- having someone to love and to share is much more important than any number of stars that describe a place. In fact, a bottle under my arm, a yard of bread wrapped in newspaper, a nice piece of Brie, and two glasses set on a cloth under a shade tree in a Parisian park would be heaven enough.

Forget the place; concentrate on the occasion.

AWWWWwwww USNR, my kinda guy!

USNR... will pass on your words of wisdom. As for the bottle and the brie....that's what he has for lunch every day! (Well... not the whole bottle)
PS: the cloth under the tree might be nice if we could manage to get back up off the ground. -

Nothing wrong with the parc bench, grandma, where we had many a picnic in the Tuilleries and fed the pidgeons.

You husband is old enough to remember that Paris is supposed to be a somewhat naughty place. Therefore, I would reccomend taking him to a meal at the historic Laperouse on quai des Grands Augustins (just west of the Tour d'Argent) and then to a show at the Crazy Horse Saloon on ave. Georges V. This combination should bring back to his younger days and should provide a fine meal and a lot of FUN !