ekscrunchy

I will be in Paris for about a week in late October. I am now working on my restaurant list and have decided upon Le Pamphlet and Le Reminet for a Saturday and a Sunday evening. I e-mailed my hotel (2-Iles) and asked them to make the reservations (for 6 persons); they wrote back saying that it was too far in advance. Yet I often hear of people reserving months ahead, and not only for the top-tier starred spots. Shall I wait and e-mail the hotel again in 6 weeks or so? Or bite the bullet and phone from the US?

Related question: thinking of going to one multi-starred place on my own during that week. Any ideas on which might have combo of great food and be comfy for single diner? I noticed, for example, on Taillevant's website that the tasting menus are for the whole table only...would they offer these to a single diner? This was one of the places I might consider but am open to any and all suggestions...
and tips for reserving.

ira

Hi ek,

Why not call them yourself?

dial 1016868 before the 011. It will be about 12cts/min

Le Pamphlet Reservations required, usually 48 hr. in advance for dinner

Phone 01-42-72-39-24

Le Reminet 01.44.07.04.24

Taillevent 01 44 95 15 01

Dukey

Taillevent can also be reserved at www.reservethebest.com

ekscrunchy

Thank you, Ira. I know that is what I SHOULD do...I am always hesitant about phoning France due to my less-than-adequate grasp of the language. What do you think about my Taillevant idea? I know I can reserve there on their site...... Thank you for providing the phone numbers....

ekscrunchy

But according to Neopolitan, you need a Paris contact in order to use that web site.....I guess I need to break down and make the phone calls. Ira, are those numbers you provided usable for any long-distance calls to Europe?

So to call Taillevant, it would be as follows:
1016868-011-01-44-95-15-01?

Still wondering if they would offer the tasting menus for a single diner.....

bill_boy

Just call them. We've made reservations from the US by calling.

I agree that 4 months in advance is too far ahead to make reservations, especially for the bistros like Le Reminet and Le Pamphlet. 2 weeks in advance would be suffcient. Record-keeping this early is a pain-in-the-behind for them.

Even for Michelin-starred restaurants, I've usually made reservations at the earliest 3 weeks in advance (btw, they usually have websites that you can make reservations with, or just call).

RonZ

Calling France you drop the first zero in the number.

LoriNY1

Just call the restaurants. Don't worry about your less than stellar French. They either speak English, or face it they can gather that you are calling for a dinner reservation and you can both figure it out. Be nice, and ask if they speak English before you start.

Lexma90

I would think that restaurant wouldn't have a problem offering a tasting menu to a single diner. As I understand it, the reasons that restaurants want an entire table to order a tasting menu is so they can get the timing of the courses right. If that's the case, then there's no worries about timing with one person! But I would ask the restaurant when you're making the reservation, just to make sure.

Dave_in_Paris

They will speak perfect English at Taillevent. Try to time your call outside the height of the dining hours. shortly before 12:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Paris time would be best.

ira

Hi ek,

Don't worry about your poor French. After the "Bonjour" or "Bon Soir" comes "parlez vous, anglais, svp"?

Someone speaks enough English to accept a reservation.

So to call Taillevant, it would be as follows:
1016868-011-01-44-95-15-01?

NO! You need the country code for France.

1016868- 011- 33- 1- 44- 95- 15- 01

Have a nice visit, and please report back on Taillevent.

ekscrunchy

Thanks everyone...I will wait a while and then make the reservations. I am still thinking about a place on the order of Taillevant. Sometimes the last thing you want to do with a limited time in Paris is to take up all that time with a long lunch; I will have another look at the Tallevant web site but maybe dinner would work since the prices for the tasting menus might be the same at both meals.....will report back with my progress...

ParisEscapes

Loved Le Pamphlet. Don't worry about a reservation. I ate there twice last October - walked in both times (lived close by). I think for the smaller restaurants it is too hard for them to handle booking tables months in advance. Like others have recommended, call a few weeks early or book when you arrive in Paris.

Have a great trip - C

ekscrunchy

Thanks, C. I was concerned because we want to eat there on a Saturday night...will take your advice and wait until right before leaving for France, two weeks before intended date of dinner reservation. Le Pamphlet sounds like a very good place and will be near enough to walk from hotel which will be key on our first night in the city.

RonZ

Dining at Taillevent would be an unforgetable experience.

msm4

For your starred meal, you might want to check out Le Grand Vefour - a bit old-school, but still going strong and very much in the same league as Taillevent. You might also want to think about going for lunch (much less expensive!). I have also heard great things about L'Astrance, but I don't know its star-status. Bon voyage et bonne bouffe!

-mimi

mariacallas

I always fax for a reservation so that I get a confirmation. They use fax a lot more there than they do here.

ekscrunchy

MSM. why would you suggest Grand Vefour over Taillevent? I am sure I will not go wrong with any of these places, I guess I am looking for the combo of top-tier food and a comfortable feeling for a solo female diner. From what I have heard, M. Vrinat is very friendly and the atmosphere at Taillevant is not stuffy as some of these places can be. Lunch might work, but it does waste lots of time in the day....between the actual lunch and the snooze period after all the wine. I know about Tallevent's 70E. lunch deal (which many people say is not always on offer) but the choice is very limited on that from what I see so I would prefer either tasting menu or a la carte. And yes, Maria, fax might be the best way to communicate. Thanks to all! Keep the ideas coming if you have time to waste here!

msm4

I suggested you look into le Grand Vefour mainly because of its classic old world ambiance and history - but I'm sure you'll have a great meal wherever you end up! I agree with you that lunch does take up most of the day, especially if you factor in the nap...
-msm4

ekscrunchy

Thanks MSM. Lunch will certainly cut into the shopping time so I think dinner it will be, Taillevent sounds like it might be a good place to start.