Paris Restaurant Help
 

Hi there - I'm hoping I can get some specific restaurant help for our trip to Paris at the end of the month.

1) One day we are eating lunch at the Musee du Quai Branly. The next day I also had lunch down at the Jacques Andre Museum. Generally we aren't "eating in the museum people" but I heard the view from the Branly was great and the food at the Jacques was good as well. Is lunch at the Jacques cafe too much? If so, is there another good restaurant reco nearby?

2) Chez Benoit or Le Hangar?

3) Restaurant suggestion for lunch and dinner somewhere around the Louve

4) Our last night in Paris is my mother's birthday. I have tried to get reservations at Altitude 95 and a couple other nice restaurants but when I email them either I don't get a reply back OR they are completely booked. We're staying in the 7e but open to any area for this night.

Thanks to all!

I would cancel your lunch at the Musee du Quai Branly and eat your mother's birthday dinner there. The food is fantastic (we had the tasting menu) at Les Ombres, but the best part is definitely the view. And, the view is that much more special when it is dark out because the Eiffel Tower lights up with sparkly lights for a few minutes every hour on the hour and from Les Ombres the view is amazing!

I agree with Zoe - change your reservation at Les Ombres at Musee du Quay Branley to your mother's birthday. And, try to time it so you'll arrive in daylight and dine as the sun sets. In addition to being a wonderful place for a birthday celebration, you'll be able to walk there and back or it will be a short taxi ride. And, you'll be able to stroll along the river and past the Tour Eiffel on your last evening.

The cafe at Musee Jacquemart Andre is beautiful and has very good food, if a bit pricey. It's always very busy, so reserve ahead.

In Paris, "eating in the museum" is superior to other destinations. And, the restaurants you've chosen are excellent on their own.

I, personally, think the prices are too high at Chez Benoit.

There are so many terrific places to dine in the 7th, you may want to plan on dinners near "home".

Thanks for the great input so far. I will switch the lunch to dinner on mom's birthday as you both recommended.

We arrive on Saturday the 25 and her birthday is the 1st. Do I need to call this week to make the reservation or can I wait until we are in Paris? In other words, how busy does this restaurant get?

My mom and dad usually eat dinner around 4pm (yes I know) so we were planning on making lunch our big meal for the day. Do you need lunch reservations at Jacques and at Le Hangar?

I'm leaning toward Le Hangar ....

ttt

We loved Le Hanger! I would make reservations to be safe because it's close to the Pompidou and may attract tourist walk-ins, although it's a little tricky to find. A day ahead should be fine. Ask your hotel to do it for you unless your French is good. When we were there, no one spoke English at all.

Definitely take care of Les Ombres ASAP.

You can do this at www.bestrestaurantsparis.com

When you make the reservation on the website, just note in the remarks box that you are changing from your previous day/time. I needed to do this last year and received an e-mail confirmation of the change directly from the restaurant.

Hi J,

>Is lunch at the Jacques cafe too much? If so, is there another good restaurant reco nearby?

If I were doing this, I would have Sunday Brunch at the JA.

If that is not possible, lunch is fine. Do visit the museum afterwards.

Re Les Ombres. I agree with ZB.

I think that it's best feature is seeing the Eiffel Tower at night.

>Do I need to call this week to make the reservation or can I wait until we are in Paris?

Definitely don't wait.

We made our reservations via www.bestrestaurantsparis.com/en

Good luck.

((I))

jodeenyc - You could have a lovely dinner at Le Train Bleu. The interior is amazing and very beautiful - it is not over the top expensewise either.
I don't know about the 4pm 'dinner' however. Maybe they have non-stop service - you would have to check.
The atmosphere won't be the same as dining nearer 7pm.

Thanks everyone - successful for a 7pm reservation at Les Ombres for Mom's Bday!!

Thanks again!

I've been reading with interest about Les Ombres at Musee du Quay Branley. It looks like a beautiful place! I would love to take my sweetie there on his first trip to Paris, but since we'll be travelling primarily in jeans and cargo pants, I'm concerned about attire. Is there a dress code? How should one dress there?

Thanks!

If a restaurant "looks like a beautiful place" then cargo pants aren't going to cut it. Slacks and jacket, or slacks and nice sweater would give you a better reception.

Hi crispy - agree 100% with Travelnut. We were there last Friday (the 1st) and the dress was not formal by any means but not cargo pants either.

Great restaurant by the way, I hope the pants thing won't change your mind.

:)

You asked about lunch near the Louvre. Well, my absolute must-do when in Paris is lumch at Cafe Marly. The people watching and the view can't be beat. ( and the food is also great, albeit expensive)
http://www.paris.org/Cafes/marly.html