I 2nd Le Vaudville, the food is great, and it just feels like everything you've ever dreamed of about dining at a French brasserie. We also had a great meal at Willi's Wine Bar. Delicious food, lovely staff, and, of course, great wine.

Hi Just returned from Paris, and we had a fabulous meal at Le Caveau de l'Isle on Isle St. Louise. 36 rue Saint-Louis en l'Isle. Probably the best "whole" meal we had. ie each course was good.

See my recent report for other restaurants we went to, press on my name.

I must admit we got a little fed up with so many of the restaurants being full of tourists. The majority being American, I have to be diplomatic here so as not hurt anyone's feelings, but gee they speak so loudly and as for eating with the baseball hats on, don't get me started. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

tagging for future reference

Grandmere,
I'll let you know what we think about Bistro d' Breuteil next month. It's near a friend's apartment and we'll probably collapse there after a day with Michael Osman!

L'Auberge de la Reine Blanche has changed hands but the food was still excellent last fall. It was closed for some renovations when we were in Paris in Feb but was due to reopen shortly. I'll let you know about that too since we are fond of it also.

If you don't want to eat in restaurants full of tourists, then don't go to touristy restaurants in touristy neighborhoods!
We usually stay in the 16th arrond and most restaurants in that area are decidely untouristy (except around La Muette). You may hear some English spoken, but those diners are for the most part expats. No baseball caps, just dogs under the tables.
Our favorite casual restaurant is Bar des Theatres on the Ave. Montaigne across the street from the Plaza Athenee Hotel. Its customers are mostly staff from the designer boutiques along the avenue, chauffeurs for the fashionistas/celebs staying at the PA, eccentric locals, and some fashion mag editors taking a break from the more chic dining spots. Good food, friendly service, inexpensive, great for hearing juicy gossip, and the restaurant is reputed to make some of the best steak tartare in town (I don't eat it, so can't say).

try this restaurant:Chez Lena and Mimile at 32, Rue Tournefort

Our cooking class teacher recommended it and it was very nice. 35 euros for the complete menu: a kir royale, amuse bouche, first course, second course, dessert, coffee and a bottle of wine, gratuity included. And it is a lovely setting.

L'Avant Gout near Place d'Italie - excellent locals place and a great find for us when we were there early this year.

Here are my recommendations, they should be within your budget. Go to the link of my site and click on "Paris - EAT" on the left hand column.

http://richardab.typepad.com/iheartparis/

Personally, my favorite is L'Endroit which is located on the edge of the Marais near the Bastille.

Chartier's is great for both food and atmosphere... Just had a wee search and they have a website.

http://www.restaurant-chartier.com/www/

Just had a quick read through the other posts and I dont think anyone answered your question about eating at the Lancaster.

We stayed there for several nights and ate there often. We found it a little oasis walking in off the busy streets. Thoroughly enjoyed the food there too.

We had a delicious lunch at Willi's Wine bar in mid Sept. Also enjoyed La Tour de Montlhery [Chez Denise] and La Fontaine de Mars. We found all of these in the Michelin guide but Willi's is not listed as a bistro.

If you want an out of the way place, go to L'Os a Moelle, 15th Arr. - This is a great place that's worth finding (only a block away from the Felix Fauvre Metro stop). The chef is a former student of Christian Constant, who has inspired a generation of followers in Paris with a philosophy of preparing simple meals perfectly and charging a reasonable price. We had a SIX-COURSE tasting menu for only 38 euros each. In addition to soup, cheese, and dessert, the meal included fois gras, rabbit, and monkfish. Our only complaint is that they gave the best seats to locals and put us in a "American table" back by the kitchen door where it got very warm. But I'd go back again in a heartbeat!

Les Bookinistes - this is Guy Savoy's "baby bistro" down by the Seine where two people can eat from a wondefully imaginative menue for under 100 euros. Reservations required.

One of our personal favorites in Paris (although it does attract a few Americans because of its location near the Eiffel Tower and the American University in Paris) is Au Bon Accueil on the Rue de Montessuy in the 7th Arrondissement. They serve a fixed menu at about 30 euros per person, and the chef goes down to the market at 4:30 each morning to pick foods for the evening's menu, which he bases upon the best things he finds at the market. A small, warm, inviting place with excellent service. Inside is warm and cozy, while eating outside gives you a wonderful view of the tower.

Richardab

I really enjoyed your recommendations, particularly the asides. I'm cutting and pasting it for reference.

Julien, on faubourg st denis is very good (metro strasbourg/st denis).

On Ile St Louis, rue de Deux Ponts, the 2nd restaurant on the right (while going south) opened in the last 6 months and is very nice (cold green pea soup was excellent) sorry I don't remember the name.

The Chartier has gone down hill in the past few years; it is interesting for the decor and simple food but do not expect a "dining" experience.

Question re: Au Pied Cochon.

I've read several places that the onion soup is terrific. Is this a place one can go for lunch and order ONLY the soup?

Yes. We stopped there for a snack and just ordered the soup--fantastic!

ttt

IT IS!!
The best onion soup I have tasted at Au Pied Cochon, and hope to go back to Chez Denise, one of my best and most fun lunches.

Au General Lafayette
52 Rue Lafayette (9th arr., metro: Peletier). Brasserie, Auvergne food specialities, Restaurant Gourmand, as they put it.

Au Chien qui fume
33 Rue du Pont Neuf (1st arr., metro: Chatelet - Les Halles) Restaurant, specializing in fresh oysters and seeafood, restauration classique, as they put it.

tagging for future reference