Paris Honeymoon...Dinner--Friendly replies only please
 

In the frantic-ness noted, I apologize that I left the city out originally. However, I need to say that my head is swimming. While I have experience in Europe, and S. France, Paris is quite new to me. I have done numerous searches, and frankly, am not finding the information that I want--specifically with the dress code I have outlined. I would appreciate anyone that can offer me solid information--while others' posts may offer info in my arena, they are not tailored specifically to what I am looking for. I have seen the wonders that have come of others trips per the recommendations from the board, and am hoping to get the same. That being said, I am unable to delete the first post, and am hoping to get assistance here. I am reposting my initial message below. Thank you.

I am getting frantic, realizing I should have begun planning this trip (to Paris) months ago!

We are looking for one *big* night out, which I realize may not necessarily be expensive. We would like to stay under $100/person, but here is what we are looking for...

Romance, romance, romance
Fabulous food that we'll remember
The ability to dress up (suit for him, semi-formal for me)

We are not picky about location, because we can find our way around, although it often helps with the romance. And, if you have any suggestions for strolls or locations afterwards, I'd love to hear them. Price quotes (as you remember them) and menu recommendations are greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance.

Yeagy,
You don't have to keep posting the question, it is OK..we figured out it was Paris:)
I posted there, look for it and see what advice you got so far~

Hello,
I realize that there are probably many people out there who have been to Paris more times than I have, but I wanted to tell you about the most fabulous night my fiance and I had in Paris.

We started out the evening at one of the most romantic places that I know of in Paris, Ile de la Cite, the only place in Paris not accessible by metro. At night the trees sparkle with lights and the restaurants fill with people. There were so many places to eat it was hard to choose, however we ended up eating at a place called Chez Paul.

It was one of the greatest meals I had ever had, I remember it exactly...and with two bottles of some of the best Bordeaux wine I had ever tasted came to about $135 for the two of us.

After that we envisioned taking the river cruise to see the monuments all lit up, but decided to just stroll along the river back towards our hotel that was located near the Eiffel Tower.

It ended up being about an hour walk. The city was so peaceful. It was wonderful.

It's unlikely to fit in a $100 limit, but Le Pre Catalan would, I believe, be ideal. It's a gorgeous-looking restaurant in the Bois de Boulogne, the enormous park on the west side of Paris. The food is out of this world, and I've found the service to be attentive and friendly on each occasion I've been there. It's just a lovely place.

Well, actually Ile de la Cite IS accessible by Metro. The Cite exit on the Ligne 4.

My fave goes to Le Vieux Bistro also on the Ile de la Cite. They do candlelight dinner at night with wonderful bistro food like rack of lamb for 2, boeuf bourguignon, profiteroles, or tarte tatin.

My 2nd favorite would be Bofinger under the beautiful oval cupola. This serves lovely brasserie fare, in fact it's the oldest brasserie, serving such classics as choucroute or huge seafood platters or chateubriand. They also have a great soupe a l'oignon gratinee and for dessert a faboo creme brulee. And the cupola area is non-smoking.

If you're careful you should be able to do it for less than $100/ea.

Have a fabulous honeymoon semi-formal dinner!!! @>->---

We're going to Paris in early august and will be celebrating our anniversary while there; if you find a great restaurant, pls let me know - I've gotten a few ideas but generally been told that our budget ($100 per person) won't buy us much! Thanks and have a great trip

Le Bellecour
22, rue Surcouf
75007,, Paris
metros: Invalides
01 45 51 46 93
fax: 01 45 50 30 11

You will get tons of replies...this happens to be one of my favorites....
I went here on my honeymoon. It is a very special place that my husband and I return to each time we are in Paris...
Congratulations..

You might want to check out La Closerie des Lilas. (Hope the spelling is OK) If the weather is good eat outside under the "arbor."

I know that tis is not a popular fodors activity but it was the most romantic evening my husband and I had while in Paris. The Bateaux Mooch has a prestiege level dinner cruise , it may be about 125 a person but well worth it.
First of all it is a beautiful Glass boat , you sit in the front section, there is live music, Each table has it's own service team. The food is very good, it includes a bottle of red wine, white wine, champagne and after dinner port and armagac, as well as hand made truffles .
The location is perfect while you are eating you cruise the seine and see all the sites at night. I have taken this trip 3 times and every time we have done it there is always an anniversary of hooneymooner and they never seem to be dissapointed.
After the cruise you can stroll to the Eiffel Tower and the surrounding park. It may not be talivent , but if it's traditional romance you're looking for this is it. Your hotel should be able to make the arrangements, but make sure it is the Bateuax Mooch and the Prestige Level. They have a website and you can see the boats

If you are interested in the dinner cruise mentioned above, the website is http://www.bateaux-mouches.fr/

I'd suggest a non-dinner evening cruise on one of the smaller boats - the Vedettes du Pont Neuf are my favorite. (www.pontneuf.net/)

As far as your "dress code" goes, you will certainly be able to wear semi-formal attire at most restaurants in Paris, though it will not be the norm for other diners unless you dine at an elegant (usually expensive) establishment.

For me, romance in Paris is more along the lines of cozy/charming. If that interests you, perhaps I can suggest l'Auberge de la Reine Blanche, on the Isle St. Louis. (www.aubergedelareineblanche.com) Even with good wine, it will come in under your budget.

The Relais Louis XIII is a lovely Left Bank establishment located in a former monastery (something about King Louis XIII staying there for a while, hence the name) with stone walls. The food as I remember it was very good, and the service was very attentive. I went there for a special occasion meal a few years ago, and it felt very celebratory. They have a prix fixe menu for 68E pp, which barely squeaks in under your budget, especially if you have wine, but prices in Paris have gone up.
Its website is www.relaislouis13.com
It's all in French, but has some pictures of the dining room and the menu.

Of course, my now husband and I remember a wonderfully romantic evening when we were very poor students in a very cold Paris when we were first dating. We bought a rotisserie chicken and some fresh dates at the street market with a bottle of cheap wine and some candles and ate in our hotel room. After dinner we went to Le Cafe Deux Magots and shared a decadent hot chocolate while watching the Parisians around us. Inexpensive and there's no reason you couldn't dress up.

There is a new book just for You. "Rpmantic Paris"by Thirsa Vallois
Beautiful color photos and suggestions of restaurants, hotels, parcs and so much more.

correction: Romantic Paris by Thirza Vallois

I love Auberge de la Reine Blanche for its charm and cozy ambience, but I would not think of it for a "big" night out in Paris. IMO, the food is consistently good, but not "fabulous", which is one of Yeagy's specifications. It would be well under $100/person, however.

Relais Louis XIII is a good suggestion. We've eaten there several times and have never been disappointed.

Another great spot, that might be a bit higher on the romance scale than Relais Louis, is L'Orangerie on I'le St. Louis. Excellant food, very nice ambiance and reasonable. It's a fixed price menu, the cost of which includes a bottle of wine. (You can upgrade the wine, if you wish.)

Vieux Bistro is very, very good. However, I'm not sure I'd choose it as the place to go for a big, romantic night out.

I might suggest a nice way to end the evening is a stroll over to Cafe Flore on Blvd. St. Germain for a nightcap. If you were to go to one of my two recommendations, it would be a bit of a walk, but a very scenic one along the Seine and past Notre Dame, if coming from L'Orangerie.

You also might consider having a pre or post dinner cocktail on one of the barges on the Seine near the Louvre or Notre Dame. One caution just check their prices before choosing one as some have significantly marked up their prices, even above what you'd expect to pay in that location.

Have fun!

Yeagy,

You've gotten some good advice. I would like to add 2 suggestions. First, look into Restaurant Benoit at 20 Rue Saint Martin. It's bistro food but very elegant. It's in the 4th arr not far from Place des Vosges, a beautiful square, so a walk after dinner for a drink in the square would be nice. (You could do the same thing from Bofinger.)

Whie trying to find a photo online of Benoit (unsuccessfully) I came across a food message board at egullet.com You might consider posting your question there as well.

Bonne chance!

If you happen to be in the Palais Royale, exit at the north east corner and check the menu at Armand. This is a very quiet place, ideal for eye gazing across the table and perhaps a little footsie between courses if that is your inclination.

Thank you all for your help--this is definitely assisting me in my research! I am hopeful to post a rough itinerary later this week for your review.

This isn't from personal experience, but l'Orangerie on Ile St-Louis could fit the bill. I've heard it called one of the most romantic restaurants in Paris (someone on Fodors also liked it, there should be threads) and I've heard it reviewed that way -- it is definitely under that price range (more like 50-70 euro per person perhaps). One reason I suggest that is that strolling around Ile St-Louis would be perfect with the lights on Notre Dame and around on the bridges, just perfect.

You would not want to take the metro anywhere for such an evening, in any case, in nice clothes, even though there is a metro stop on la Cite and a couple stops near St-Louis.