marseillegirl

Cherrybomb,
It's a special restaurant she's looking for not some x-rated place where patrons would be alarmed to see children. This is the first time I've heard of well behaved children in a restaurant being offensive.

RJD

Jules Verne on the Eiffel tower.

gruezi

marseille,

Reminds me I had a friend who transferred with her husband to Paris for 2 years. They have 3 kids and 2 dogs.

She used to say, "my dogs are welcome everywhere, my kids aren't welcome anywhere."

g.

stanleys

If you are all going to have the appropriate clothes with you the most glamorous restaurant and the most exciting for your granddaughter's would be Laserre.

Elainee

Thanks to all for great suggestions. We actually will be together in Paris for 4 days of our week there so will can do several of the suggestions. FYI...my grandaughters are very well behaved, will wear "party dresses", and have been to more than 30 countries in their travels. But they are not perfect...only eat a limited range of foods. Fortunately they learned to love lamb chops in Jordan. We will discuss menues with the restaurant before we go. Final decision has not been made since the girls' parents will also join us. We will eat at Le Train Bleu one evening. Good idea. Ate in Taillevent last time in Paris. I love that kind of restaurant. We already planned lunch at Musee du Orsay one day without the kids. Au Petit Marguery sounds lovely for another evening. This will be a splendid week. A Moroccan dinner would be fun another evening...any suggestions?

FrenchFling

Hi Elaine,

I have a number or ideas for you: I'm a food-mad Australian who moved to Paris a few years ago and after having so many requests for help from people just like you, I decided to start up my own foodie blog:

http://www.frenchfling.com/

I take my camera all around Paris and take photos of the bistros, restaurants etc and the various dishes served (I also try to talk to the chef when possible), then write reviews (including prices) so you can see for yourself what looks good! There are bars and shops and cheese stores and all kinds of other things to help you fill in your days when you get here, so please take the time to have a look, it's one of the more comprehensive independent guides online - and it's free!

Hope I can be of some help to you and others coming to Paris. Happy eating!

Gabrielle.

cherrybomb

>>It's a special restaurant she's looking for not some x-rated place where patrons would be alarmed to see children. This is the first time I've heard of well behaved children in a restaurant being offensive<<

I'm less alarmed by children in a tittie bar, the atmosphere is more conducive to many children--loud, mannerless and tacky. Not everyone thinks your children are precious and darling. Sorry.

gruezi

ouch!

you too were a child once cherrybomb lest you forget.

gruezi

cherrybomb

I know--that is why I don't have any and will not be. Have you seen the way they behave and their parents aren't much better.

klondike

Funny you should mention Morroccan! If you are in the fifth I can heartily endorse Chez Momo - Spécialités Marocaines on 9, rue Xavier Privas (Metro St. Michel) Tel 01-43-43-29-75-92. (Their card also has 'Nouveau Village' on it, so I don't know if that is part of the name. Outside I just noticed Chez Momo)

I had posted some time ago before our trip this summer trying to find some recs here on Fodor's. The post got side-tracked somewhat by a discussion on the correct term/spelling for bastilla/pastilla etc. I received several recs, which included the Institut du Monde Arabe in the 5th, and I finally had narrowed my decision down to Mansouria in the 11th and El Mansour in the 8th, but was leaving it open until our arrival to see what we came across in our wanderings.

As it turned out, we had finished visiting the morning flower market on Ile de la Cité, Notre Dame and the Point of Deportation and had crossed over to wander and check out some of the 5th. Right about noon we passed by rue Xavier Privas, which has been mentioned before here, but for Greek food. Stopping to check out the Chez Momo menu, which sounded very good, I hesitated and almost walked on when the guy came out urging us to come in...I don't know what it is that I have about these "hawker guys" who stand outside trying to get you to come into their restaurant; somehow it just screams "tourist rip-off" to me.

Well, I am so glad I ignored that first reaction! The quality of food - rapport qualitè prix, as the French say- was excellent and the quantity way too much for the 4 of us (all hearty eaters). The couscous was to die for-so fluffy and light...it was not out of a box, that's for sure! I lived in France for 3 years (granted many years ago), and the couscous itself was the best I've had. The setting was subdued/relaxed with lots of plants and morrocan decorations. Surprisingly, most of the folks who came in were locals/repeat customers who had "their" table and were greeted with kisses or handshakes. Bathroom (downstairs in cellar) were very clean, which always makes me feel better about a place. Service very attentive but relaxed and there were several families with their children eating while we were there, so your grand-daughters would be most welcome.

We tried a good selection: one couscous served with a variety of meats (including marvelous merguez) and vegetables in a huge tureen, one tagine, and 2 different grillades. Lamb was good and not "muttony" The pastilla was probably more authentic (pastry was a bit more substantial but very tasty) than the puff-pastry type I'd had in USA. Nice wine selection. I would eat here again when in the 5th.

gruezi

Cherrybomb,

I should have guessed that.

I'm sorry you have had such negative experiences with children. Hope some day you feel differently.

And, yes, good decision not to have any.

gruezi

cherrybomb

I don't have such a negative experience with children, I'm just of the victorian bourgeois mentality.

And yes, people should give pause before deciding to have children, in many cases it is more selfless not to breed.

<insert sense of humor> </insert>


Either way, now that the thread is hijacked....to the OP, please consider Laperouse for your nice meal and I also enjoyed Mansouria for Morroccan food.

TPAYT

Thanks French Fling!
Heading off to Paris next week. We do have our favorites, but I got some new ideas from your post.