I am overnighting at the Hyatt at CDG and want go into Paris for dinner - nothing fancy, but interesting and off the beaten path. Any suggestions for restaurants and how to get there from CDG? Thanks.

Head for Au Petit Marguery, in the 13th. The address is 9, bd. Port-Royal. It's a fine bistro with excellent choices on a prix-fixe menu.

Can get direct train from CDG to Port Royal, a stop on RER B. Not all airport RER B services go this far but some do - otherwise a simple transfer at Gare du Nord or Chatelet-les-Halles will suffice - about an hour at most each way to Port Royal, less on direct trains.

Here's another huge recommendation for Au Petit Marguery.

Reservations are essential. You can reserve online (and see photos and some of the menu) at www.reservethebest.com where it's listed as "Le Petit Marguery".

Go to www.pagesjaunes.fr and enter the name (nom) and Paris (localite), then click on plan (make sure you select the correct Petit Marguery, as there are several) for a detailed map from the RER station.

You can also go to http://www.ratp.fr/

In the itinerary section, click on Station and enter Aeroport Charles de Gaulle (then your arriving terminal number: 1, 2...) for your departure and 9 Boulevard de Port Royal for your arrival (on the next page, it's in the 13th), and you'll get instructions for the RER, with maps too.

Thank you one and all. This board is a terrific resource!

For a truly Parisian/whimsical experience, go to CAFE MARLY in the Louvre main courtyard (metro: Palais Royal/Musée du Louvre). Sit outside on the terrasse when the sun has set, and enjoy the Louvre Pyramid and Eiffel tower being lit. Food is great but bistro-like, so you won't go there for it, just for the atmosphere...You'll have a magical experience on a budget--guaranteed!

Cafe Marly is as Parisian as the Eiffel Tower or Le Divorce: it's a great setting but utterly touristy, snobbish and bad value for money; no Parisian in his/her right mind goes there. It used to be very trendy circa the first Gulf War... In the same category, but more updated, I would vote for chez Georges, on top of the Pompidou center. A tad "fancy", though. Off the beaten path and interesting are Le Cafe Charbon, rue Oberkampf (intersection rue Saint Maur), La Mere Lachaise (178 bd de Menilmontant), Le Repaire de Cartouche (rue Amelot, next to Bastille).

Or try Stella in the 16th arrond on Ave. Victor Hugo. Very good, moderately priced spot, in attractive neighborhood and definitely off the beaten path.

http://www.reservethebest.com/_fr_/r...ant.php?Id=385

Three weeks ago my daughter and I had dinner at Astier (44 rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud). The food was fantastic and the prices were great! They have a fixed price menu with great choices of an appetizer, entree, cheese board (to die for!), and dessert. I wish we had eaten there every night of our 4 day stay...