Paris: Le Petit Zinc
 

Looks like a nice place. Anybody been here? Menu looked pretty good. Any favorites?

I had dinner there a few years ago. I don't recall what I had, but I do remember that we enjoyed the entire meal. My not-so-accurate recollection is that we had some kind of veal or lamb as a main course, and I recall that the dessert was delicious. When I come away from a place with a good feeling about it, I know it was good--even when I can't remember the details. I believe you will like it.

Hi C,

The best part of the room is in the no smoking section in the center.

Their seafood is very good.

The seafood dome for two is spectacular.

Good wine list, also.

I suggest a jacket for dinner.

((I))

ira, okay, the coat and tie will go in the suitcase, just in case.

Oh please, not the coat and tie nonsense again! You do not need a coat and tie for a brasserie. No way. Wear one if you like but it is certainly not needed or recommended.

Here is their menu; like many of the others, it is now part of a chain operation.

http://www.blanc.net/zinc/fr/carte.htm

Here are the other members of the Blanc chain; many of which have elaborate decor:
http://www.blanc.net/commun/autresres.htm

We ate there about 6 years ago. What I remember most is we happened on it by accident and had to wait a few hours to sit and eat. We sat outside, there were strolling musicians going from place to place, and it was a great people watching show. The dessert was spectacular. The main meal, I don't remember, but almost everything we ate in Paris was delicious, so I'm sure you'll be happy.

Ate here a few years ago and remembered that it was very atmospheric. Anyway, last year returned and had to leave before we ordered dinner. It has turned into, my opinon, a "disneyland" version of what a French restaurant should be (in other words, a tourist trap). If you like plastic menus in bright colors and tourists at every table, then by all means, go. Otherwise, avoid at all costs.

If you are going to Paris in reasonable weather that one would not normally need a jacket, it would not be needed to to go to this restaurant.

Funny, for years Le Petit Zinc was my favorite and never missed one of my frequent Paris visits. That was when they had a corner on Rue Buci.After they moved to the present location I gave it a try and was less than impressed. Giving it another try this past spring I was disturbed by indifferent treatment by the waiter and even more upset by cold food. The table next to me (local Parisians) returned a main dish and didn't even eat the substitute.

from what I read above, ira suggested a jacket; he didn't say it was 'needed.' I think it was a reasonable suggestion.

I had been disappointed at Petit Zinc a few years ago (the food didn't seem memorable, given the prices, but I didn't have the seafood) and have not recently been back.

"from what I read above, ira suggested a jacket; he didn't say it was 'needed.' I think it was a reasonable suggestion."

And who said it wasn't reasonable? Just advising on today's accepted options. I happen to be a jacket wearer but ,no question, Paris os becoming more and more casual in its mode.

sorry Bigal, my response was directed above to someone who said "Nonsense!" and "No way!"

Hi ek,

Despite your insistence that a jacket (I don't wear ties) is nonsense, I have found it easier to get reservations and that I am given better seats when I do wear one.

Since I am more interested in dinner than in fashion, I bring a jacket when I travel. :)

((I))

"I have found it easier to get reservations and that I am given better seats when I do wear one."

So how does that work exactly? You call or walk in asking for reservations without a jacket and they say no, so you go outside, put on a jacket, go back in, and they say yes? How exactly does wearing a jacket affect getting reservations?

And how do you know you get better seats? I'm never seated in the same seats twice at any restaurant no matter what I'm wearing. Are you saying you let them seat you without a jacket, then pull out the jacket and they re-seat you? Or are you saying that one night you go without a jacket and you don't get great seats, but the next time you go you do get good seats, so you KNOW it must be because you are wearing a jacket this time?

Or is this all that you "perceive" they treat you better? Frankly I'd boycott a regular restaurant that treated me like a second class citizen when I'm nicely dressed just because my attire doesn't include a jacket.

By the way, don't get me wrong. I say if wearing a jacket makes you feel good, or better, then by all means wear one!

Ooops: Edit:

"Frankly I'd boycott a regular restaurant that treated me like a second class citizen when I'm nicely dressed just because my attire doesn't include a jacket" --UNLESS THEY SPECIFICALLY REQUEST OR REQUIRE ONE.

Ira: Put your spectacles on. I never wrote that wearing a jacket is "nonsense." I said it certainly was not necessary in a brasserie or any of the places the OP is investigating for his or her visit to Paris.

ira and I must wear the same eyeglass prescription, so I'm in good company.

"Oh please, not the coat and tie nonsense again! You do not need a coat and tie for a brasserie. No way. Wear one if you like but it is certainly not needed or recommended."

well, if we're going to parse this: Agreed is not a formal restaurant. Do not agree with coat and tie being "nonsense" (though ira had suggested only a jacket, not a tie.)
Do not agree with "no way."
Agree with "wear one if you like" and agree again with "it is certainly not needed" but, disagree that it is not recommended. That is recommended by two of us. :)

Cato, here is an outside review of Zinc

http://www.toptable.co.uk/details.cf...C2179/spos%7C5

and more
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-reviews-10..._and_reviews-i

http://www.zagat.com/verticals/Prope...52&SI=BFWS

If you're staying in the Place St- Germain part of the 6th, the Zinc has a very convenient location. Enjoy.

Thank you, real.

Hi NP,

>"I have found it easier to get reservations and that I am given better seats when I do wear one."

So how does that work exactly?<

Walk in w/o jacket. Ask for res for evening. Much shuffling of paper. Doesn't seem to be anyrhing available.

Mention, "I shall be wearing a jacket for dinner". Open table is discovered.

>And how do you know you get better seats?<

I look around the room.

I am not exactly a tyro and I am not basing my statement on one incident.

It is possible that you and ek frequent different places from those I go to and we are all correct. :)

((I))

So you're saying you go into a place that DOESN'T request or require you to wear a jacket for dinner and they refuse you a reservation until you tell them you will be wearing one for dinner, then suddenly they find space? Ira, no offense but what on earth are you wearing at the time that they don't want to allow you to eat dinner there? Sorry, but that just sounds so far fetched to me. I'm sorry you get such shabby treatment when dressed normally.

Forget the coat and tie issue...I want to know how this place keeps the smoke from seeping into that non-smoking section in the center?