Ok, long subject line, but it says it all. On previous trips we have stayed in hotels, and they made our dining reservations for us. But because there will be three of us for 3 of our 7 nights, we have taken an apartment for this trip.

We have reserved by email for Le Grand Vefour, but I am feeling frustrated by not reserving anywhere else. My French isn't, I'm sure, good enough to risk overseas phone calls.

I suppose I could fax, but I am really running out of time. We leave Wednesday!

I would really like to know how others do this. I am excited about eating in Paris, and don't want the dregs of choices.

We have already been not able to get one place, for Saturday night, and I would like to reserve for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, this week! Any suggestions?

We are not looking for anymore highly priced meals (LGV is enough) but we really want to maximize our time for eating. We have both been on millet and flax and green beans for months and want to eat!

I know that many OPs reserve their restaurants in advance, but most europeans don't except for the most special meals. We like to wander around, read the menus, decide what we fell like, argue, find somewhere, find it's full, go back to the palce we first thought of! - you get the idea.
If you find this too daunting, why not do your research in the morning and then reserve at lunch-time?
Or be adventurous - this time of year, most restaurants wil lwelcome you with open arms!

Have a great trip, Ann

annhig:

Thanks; if I wasn't so darn hungry I wouldn't be worried about it.

But I do have a long list and phone numbers, so I will be taking that with me.

We aren't really fly by the seat of the pants types; I am a true planner for trips and want a lot. Plus, if you knew one of the people I'm eating with on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, you would know why I'm not willing to risk arguing with them. I just want it smooth and planned.

Anyone else have any ideas?

I would try to reserve ahead for Sunday night, when many place are closed. Also for Monday, if you will still be there, because many are also closed then. I think that you can call ahead and will be able to communicate in English. One recommendation I have is for Chez Denise for Friday night. I loved my lunch there and will certainly return next time in Paris; they will be closed on Saturday and Sunday, though.
I would not leave things for the same day but that is just me. In late October I definitely needed to reserve at least one day ahead. Espcially for weekends.

Hi - sorry you seem to be lumbered with what is obviously an onerous task. If one of your companions is so difficult, perhaps you could delegate?

Being more practical, i have always found the michelin recommendatinos reliable. Most paris restaurants will speak some engilsh if you want to phone them. Also ,does your apartment renter offer a concierge service at all?

I would make reservations ahead of time if it is your first night and a Sunday, the rest you can walk up and do it in person. Even if you don't speak fluently you could put together enough to indicate you want to make a reservation and is english a possibility.

"Je voudrais reserve un table per tres person SVP" I don't know if that is spelled correctly but it will get you started.

Once the person responds in French you can ask if someone speaks English. You tried.

Actually it came true the insight an Irish man told me in Amsterdam. I do well when I speak, it's when others respond that I get lost. That is quite true.

Good luck!

Well, I had a similar situation and had a friend who is a native French speaker make the call for me, but it was about arrival times at a B and B. Worked great!

I've always called either from the US or once in Paris from the phone in the apartment and after saying Bonjour (or whatever is appropriate for the time) ask Parlez-vous Anglais? I can't recall any restaurant that either the person on the phone didn't speak some English or they went and got someone who did speak English well enough to make a reservation. Maybe we've just been lucked out. Good Luck!

I have never made a reservation for a restaurant in Paris more than a day ahead of time. Most of the time I reserve earlier in the day for that same evening. Haven't been stuck with dregs yet. I have only been there in February or March, but that is when you are going too.

tuscanlifeedit,

I too, like to make sure I have reservations b4 leaving the states. My French is the pits (read better than speak), but I called L'Epi Dupin and L'Altitude 95 and they were lovely, switched to English as soon as asked, put me totally at ease. Both asked for a Paris phone number (which I got from the owner of the apt we rent) and I reconfirmed 24 hours before the res.

I found if you call when they're not real busy (before 7pm local Paris time), it was not difficult.

Go for it, you'll do great!

I too have rarely booked before going, but usually book just a day or two before going, and I often do that in person.
Meanwhile, are you familiar with this site where you can not only find a lot of great restaurants and see menus, but book online as well? I have booked a couple in advance this way.

http://www.bestrestaurantsparis.com/

NP

I have been using the site you suggested but some I've tried say "this restaurant does not accept online bookings" which just slayed me because I thought I had it made with that website.

Can you make any recs that do take online bookings?

I am probably making this all harder than it needs to be, but I've been sick a lot and I just want it to be so nice.

This all feels magnified since one certain closely related travel companion is demanding and not easy to please, but is a really good person in many ways.

He called tonight to ask me to walk around the Marais and find him a chiropractor once I get there! I've been at a medical facility of sort, seemingly every day, for two weeks!

And as I said, I'm really hungry. ;-)

Hmm. I know I made online reservations at l'Atelier Maitre Albert and La Ferme Saint Simon, both from that site.
One issue is that you must have the phone number of where you'll be staying to make the reservation.

Oh, great, they just sent me the phone number tonight. I've heard such good things about Maitre Albert; I will try. And I'll look up your other rec. Very valuable advice, and I am grateful.

I don't know how bad your French is but the first time I phoned I was very nervous about it.
I write out what I want to say. This is very important for me.
I include all the facts in the one sentence.
I speak very slowly.
It goes something like this:
"Bonjour monsieur (madam). Je voudrais une reservation pour deux pour diner.[pause] Le date est "dix septembre" a vingt heures s'il vous plait. [pause]Le nom est....(and I spell it out phonetically gee, ah, em..etc)[pause]
Le numero de telephone est " give it in twos...eg. vingt-deux, quarante neuf, etc). Merci.[pause] C'est possible?" (this encourages a yes or no answer which I can handle).
My reasoning is that they don't know me anyway. They want my business. I've given them all the information. No one has ever hung up or laughed.
When they reply I jump in with my "Parlez lentement s'il vous plait."
I figure the worst it comes out as is something like "Me want reservation...etc". I think that you are appreciated for trying more than you would be for having the assumption that they speak English although after my feeble attempts they usually change to English.
When I am finished I feel great and wipe the sweat off the phone.

Except for LGV and Le Train Bleu, I have always made reservations for bistros the same day or maybe one day ahead, especially in this off season. Even last Aug./ Sept. we got reservations for Chez Fernand ( I know you mentioned wanting to go there) for same day. And most places speak enough Eng. to make a reservation for you. Just begin by asking if they speak English, and they will probably respond in Eng.

Not to worry! It's not like going to Paris w/o a place to stay--entirely different process, IMO!

I didn't know you were staying in an apartment; have you talked about that in a post? I don't remember reading that; do you have time to tell us about where, etc., before you leave?

Ok, one more crazy question:

Is that L'Atelier Maitre Albert, or Chez Maitre Albert? Thanks.

L'Atelier, not Chez.
Here's the place. We love it.
http://tinyurl.com/2ovxb4

It's L'Atelier Maitre Albert.

HI Grandmere

This is the last minute trip to accompany my brother to a car show. He is helping on the accomodations, and only staying three nights, so we got an apartment. It is number 10 RentParis.com.

Personally, I am a hotel lover, and since I worked in Tuscany, and stayed in vacation rentals, I am more convinced that for me, a hotel is best. I don't like doing anything on vacation! But for three, this was really the most economical solution.

We are cancelling our trip in May. The Post-Gazette seems to be heading for a 5% pay cut in the next couple of days, so we don't want to take such a trip (two weeks, hotels, trains, planes and automobiles) this year. I am relieved that these labor issues are coming to an end for the next couple of years (I hope) and considering that they will not raise insurance at all, I guess this isn't so bad. But not a time for a big trip.

So, I'll rebank my miles and have enough for Biz class in 2008. This summer, we will visit family at the beach my daughter's home which is on a beautiful lake in NY.

But I am planning on living it up BIG in Paris. I want some fun in a big way.

It was your suggestion for Le Grand Vefour, and I can hardly wait. We are going to call Chez Fernand as soon as we get there. It was on the "does not take online reservations" list.

I've sent an email to Rotisserie en Face, but haven't heard back.

I did not get my ballet tickets, but I have been sick and have some really trying disc problems so I am not upset about it. I want to eat, look at art, and we have a friend coming on Saturday, and my brother will be with us over the weekend.

I am excited but much too stressed. My health has been problematic, and I am worrying about flight delays, which is nonsense since I get do anything about them. Unless I learn "The Secret." I'm actually afraid to make fun of it. LOL!

I really just want to be there. Wish I could transport myself.