Bonjour!
We are in Paris and have a birthday celebration on Saturday which is Saint Nicholas Day in Europe. We would like to go to a nice restaurant but not someplace outrageous in price. Since we have been eating all week in great bistros etc., we would like something a little more special. We re staying in the 7th. Any suggestions not too far away, but not necessarily in the 7th?

Restaurant Florimond, La Fontaine de Mars, Le Violon d'Ingres (and Café Constant, its sidekick) are all wonderful and in the 7ème

I think Le Train Bleu in the Gare de Lyon makes a lovely place for a celebration. The decor is Belle Epoque at its finest, and the food is good. We've taken a bus there, from the 6th, and used a taxi for the return.

www.le-train-bleu.com

StCirq:
We have been to Cafe Constant and Les Cocottes and Fontaine de Mars,all of which were wonderful meals(although I found the hi-top seating at les cocottes
extremely uncomfortable, about a foot higher than a regular bar stool). The Restaurant Florimond souns nice and is not far from us. We are staying in an apartment on St. Dominique. Great location! (Vacation in Parisaa0
Grandmere:
Le Train Bleu looks very interesting if not over the top in decor.Could be fun.
Thanks to both of you, any more suggestions???

I went to Paris in October and Le Florimond was delicious. We made reservations ahead of time as the place fills up pretty quick. The staff was very nice as well.

Le Train Bleu seems to fit your bill. It's definitely over the top decorwise and the food is supposed to be quite good in spite of the emphasis on decor.

If you like Chinese food, consider Chez Vong in the Les Halles area. The food is good and the decor is quite beautiful. You enter and almost feel like you're in a cave. Lots of real flowers here and there and exotic decor. One of the nicest Chinese restaurants we've ever been in and my husband loves Chinese food, so we've been in a lot.

Another place with a somewhat Asian twist and very modern decor and great food is Ze Kitchen Galerie, in the 6th near the St. Michel metro stop.

You say "not too far away" but consider rethinking that and hopping the RER to St. Germaine en Laye (really only about 20 min ride) to Cazaudehore La Forestiere. Set in the woods (you can get a cab at the station for a short ride--less than a mile or so) it's a lovely setting with gracious service, and traditional charm.

For a somewhat similar experience within the city, try A. Beauvilliers on Montmartre. A truly elegant, traditional place with flowers everywhere.

Another suggestion:
La Mediterranee in the 6th on Place de Odeon. We spent my birthday there last April. As you might guess from the name, it's a fish and seafood restaurant with a somewhat nautical them and Cocteau drawings on the walls. Ask specifically for a table on the "porch" next to the windows and you'll see the lights come on in the Place de Odeon, possibly folks arriving at the theatre. We enjoyed it. It's elegant in a casual sort of way.

Leo le Lion is across the street from Florimond and is open on Saturdays. A bit more upscale and specializing in seafood (the chef is from Le Divellec), they have prix-fixe menus at 30E and 47E. Both are excellent.

Have you thought about Jules Verne at the Eiffel Tower? Lunch there was fabulous!

La Cuisine and Les Anges, both on Lamotte Piquet are good. Was to both in Sept/oct.

I just arrived today and will be here til 15th..I stay in the 7th..Paris Perfect apts.

Enjoy..

Joan

Thanks to all of you. I am investigating your suggestions. This is wonderful. Lots of places that are totallly new to me. I will let you know my decision

I just had my birthday dinner at Le Pamphlet, one of our newest favorites. It's not in the 7th but is easy to get to.

http://www.parisnotes.com/restaurant...estaurant.html