Ahhh, Paris. I think the food is the best part of just about any vacation, but for Paris in particular. The 7th is my favorite in terms of great restaurants. We spent 2 weeks in Paris just last month and visted only 2 restaurants twice: Le Clos des Gourmets and Cafe Constant. They were incredible both times. Le Florimond and Fontaine de Mars were also quite good, but didn't hit every single course out of the ballpark like at Clos des Gourmets (Ave Rapp) or Cafe Constant. Le Petit Troquet is a favorite from a previous trip, but they had a slightly off-night when we visited this most recent time. Still good but not fantastic. I actually have pictures of the food we ate at these and other restauraunts on my Flickr account, (in the Paris '09 set) so feel free to check them out: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tara_lanning/sets

elsiejune: Just a quick side note to say I'm really enjoying looking at your Art Nouveau pictures - I love Art Nouveau and need to see more of the buildings you posted next time I'm in Paris. We were just there last month, but because I fractured one of the bones in my foot, I couldn't have done much walking even if I had known where to go.

Oh my goodness! I now have more restaurants to add to my list (101 so far--not that we will be trying them all) for our trip in September. Violon d'Ingres sounds lovely (the pictures are so tempting as I wait for DH to get home for dinner) and if it is near a car dealership that sells Jaguars we will be going for sure. DH has this thing for Jaguars--wait til I tell him.

Joan,
It is too bad we can't be in Paris at the same time this year. As I mentioned to you, I could only afford one trip this year. Boo, hoo, hoo! There will be other trips. And I will be following your before, during and after thread for your November to December trip this year. As always, I will be on rue Joseph Bara this year.
Bisous,
Lilia

Elsiejune, I love that building where the Italian Lycee is. Even during the morning and afternoon sortie, the place was quieter than the schools I'm used to in the States. I also love 29, avenue Rapp. I really enjoyed visiting my English friend (she's married to a Frenchman)and looking at the ET from her salon's window. Those were the days....

Decee, I see you will be in Paris in September. I will be there Sept. 10-24 (leaving early on the 24th). I would be interested in meeting some Fodorites if there will be a GTG during that time. I've never been to one in Paris although I attended one in San Francisco last October.

Hi myparis,
I'll add another recommendation - le Dome du Marais. 53 bis, rue des Francs Bourgeois in the 4th. The food is excellent and the setting unique - under the glass dome of a former chapel. We never miss it when in Paris - will be back in October - can't wait!

Framboise_et_rose
We arrive in Paris Aug 29th but are taking a side trip to Prague Sept 3rd-8th and then a side trip to Reims and Epernay Sept 14th for 2 or 3 days then we fly home on the 17th. I have never done a GTG and am a newbie on this forum but I have been reading all your reports and bits of advice--you all sound so experienced! If might be kind of fun to meet some of you.
Denise

tara3056: your pictures are simply beautiful and brought back such wonderful memories. These are the pictures we could have taken, but didn't. Looks like we traveled on each other's heels for part of your trip, as we spent the end of May/beginning of June in Paris. The weather, the food, the scenery were sublime...and your photos caputure it all, as well as an admirable showing of the musee d'Orsay. Please note that the flickr link I provided is not mine. It was only meant to show the facade of the Italian School on rue Sedillot. I'm afraid that I'm not tech-savy enough to figure out how to post my shots, or to have a flickr account. At any rate, your photos were very enjoyable. Merci. EJ ((#))

Oops, please excuse my many typos above...most especially the name of architect Jules Lavirotte. EJ

StCirq, Le Maupertu is now Les Coteaux de Tanney, with menus that start at 20E and go up to 65E for a menu degustation. I have yet to try it, but it looks welcoming.

Goodness, this turned out to be one fantastic thread. Friends catching up, sharing memories of Paris and also a great list of restaurants for me to research for my special dinner. Thanks all!

Yes, you got a bit of everything. Enjoy your planning.

Joan

Hi MyParis -

The service that I had at Le Cigale Recamier was excellent. No complaints at all. I can understand your concern because I received awful service at Bouillon Racine. (Please avoid it like the plague because they seat all of the English speaking tourists together on the first floor and give the locals much better treatment upstairs. I actually walked out without ordering anything because the waitress slammed a English menu down in front of me and then just took off without even asking if I wanted something to drink.)

Great list of restaurants...I won't be in Paris until May next year...but this thread is definitely worth saving! :-)