NeoPatrick

robjame, your suggestion is well taken, but as a non French speaking person myself, my concern is not my making myself understood, even if I write out what I want to say -- and yes, I've tried that. I have this horrible feeling that as soon as I speak, they rattle off several sentences which are totally meaningless to me. I have no idea if they are saying "great. See you then" or "sorry, we are fully booked for the next three years".

NeoPatrick

Tuscanlifeedit, forget Rotisserie en Face. I found it very disappointing as well as overly crowded, and if I recall correctly very overpriced for what it was. We now love the wonderful rotisserie meats and chickens and the super service and atmosphere at the above mentioned L'Atelier Maitre Albert.

ira

Hi T,

I fyou are only planning to eat at local places, I suggest that you stop worrying about reservations.

The Flo Brasseries chain will let you book online for Sunday night and give you 15% off.

www.flobrasseries.com/brasseries/

The rest of the time, stop in in the morning for an evening reservation at whatever place looks good to you.

ekscrunchy

Ira I don't know what your definition is of "local places" but I found that quite a few restaurants sans Michelin stars are fully booked at least a day in advance. I agree that this would not be the case in restaurants of the Flo chain, but it is true of many small places in the more popular areas.

lawchick

JHust ring up and ask in English - if they don't speak English then try out the sentences someone kindly posted here.

Some restaurants want a phone number so have that handy. It's no biggy - most people in Restaurants speak enough english to understand a reservation.

ekscrunchy

I agree that you will be able to make yourself understood in English on the phone. I still remember standing at the front desk of my hotel on a Saturday morning a few years ago, while the front desk woman patiently phoned restaurant after restaurant on our list, trying to get us a reservation for dinner that night. All booked. She called at least 10 places..none of which were the "big" names. We ended up at Pied de Cochon..they were the only ones with a free table.. and from that day on, I always reserve in advance! And this was in the "off season..March or April."

tuscanlifeedit

Help! I've put this number into reservations at bestrestaurants.com, every single way that I can. It keeps telling me "invalid number"

Here is the number I'm using:
(in every combo)
+33 01 44 54 00 37

Any suggestions, Please!

robjame

If it is a Paris restaurant they won't want the France country code. Try +01 44 54 00 37
If it is an american site they won't want the first zero
Try 33 1 44 54 00 37

Nikki

When calling from a French phone to a French phone, the + is not necessary. If you dial +, the phone thinks it has to dial the code for calling internationally before dialing the number.

tuscanlifeedit

Thanks robjame, but no go. I wrote to the company, but I tried both numbers, and neither would work.

Then I called, got a nice man, and made the reservation FOR THE WRONG DAY AND NUMBER OF PEOPLE! Nervous, I guess

I feel like an ass.

tuscanlifeedit

Nikki, I tried that too, and I think I have to hang it up and call back tomorrow. Talk about feeling stupid. But when I said I tried the number every way I could think of, I wasn't kidding. Now I think the website isn't doing what it should.

yestravel

If you are trying to reach L'Atelier Maitre Albert you can email them in English directly at [email protected]

tuscanlifeedit

Yestravel, I love you.

yestravel

nicest thing I've heard all day!! Hope u manage to make all the reservations u need. How long will u be in Paris? We arrive on Sunday from AMS.

ira

Hi ek,

I guess you eat at smaller places than I do.

hocknyc

Saturday Night go to Le Florimond (English Speaking 01-45-55-40-38).

Sunday go to Pasco (English 01-44-18-33-26 www.restautantpasco.com).

Do not miss going to Reminet (English 01-44-07-04-24.

Another nice place is Au Bon Auccueil (English Tel: 01-47-05-46-11).

Laduree is a must for macaroons and a killer omelette.

Les Rubis is fantastic for real French wine and cheese, so is Taverne Henri IV.

Lastly, La Cordonnerie is a quaint place (01-42-60-17-42 the chef/owner speaks English/his wife some too!).

Reminet was the best dinner. Our favorite lunch was Le Petit Pontoise (01-43-29-25-20).

Buy a Paris Zagat guide to read the reviews of these great place.

As du Fallalfel is great and cheap lunch. Hope this turns out to be of some help.

CarJoe44

This is excellent info! Going for our 10 yr anniv on 3/7 for 3 nights. Any other suggestions of must eat places? Favorite hotels? Best mustard, chocolate, lingere stores?

tuscanlifeedit

We'll be there a week, but I'm angling for an extra day if at all possible. I have been through so much lately; I try to not say "I need a treat" or "I deserve it" because I feel there is so much suffering that is undeserved, and so many need a treat so much more than I do, but here's the deal: I WANT a little extra so soothe my troubled body and mind.

Yestravel: email me at elvis mom 2002 (no spaces) @ yahoo dot com if you are at all interested in crossing paths. I am out of here soon, but I will try hard to check. I appreciate your help very much.

yestravel

Hi -- sent an email to u early this am

grandmere

Deb, the apartment looks great; the configuration of rooms is interesting! I'll be eager to hear how you like the location, etc.

I hope your trip is wonderful and restorative. It will be good to hear all about it when you return.

Bon voyage,
Sue