OK, please don't bash me on this one. I have done my reasearch, read the threads, read the books and searched the net. So, here I go on my 7th trip to Paris. Last time I was there was September 2003. So whats the restaurant buzz right now for good moderate restaurants considering the lousey value of the once almighty dollar? I am thinking about places in the $35-45 per person range (cheaper for lunch), good classic french food, unpretentious and creative cusine.

My favorite restaurant in Paris is La Fountain du Mars, near the Eiffel Tower. Great food and friendly service in a great atmospheric place!

Oh by the way, during this trip I will be posting my adventures on my blog so give me some good places to review!

checkout the bonjourparis.com restaurant thread.

If you like La Fontaine de Mars, you'll LOVE Le Florimond, in the same neighborhood.

Been to La Florimond for lunch. Loved the service but my lunch didn't impress me, maybe I ordered the wrong thing. I really love Au Bon Accueil in the same neighborhood too.

For something more contemporary than Le Florimond and also very good, try Lei, two doors down. Also, Le Suffren over on the "other side" of the Champ de Mars on Avenue Suffren near the La Motte Piquet metro stop.

Just returned from Paris and Le Fontaine de Mars is as tasty, friendly and atmospheric as ever. We also liked L'Epi Dupin, a little more creative and with the best desserts every time we eat there; Bistro du 7eme, tasty and very reasonable and Ze Kitchen Gallerie, extremely interesting fusion cuisine in a modern setting. Everyone in our group had a delicious meal. We were a bit disappointed by Clos des Gourmets - a little too stuffy (attitude and smoke) and not as delicious as the others. We were sorry to miss L'Avant Gout about which we had heard so many good things.

mamc, those are all good ideas. Thanks! Did you meet Christina at La Fountaine du Mars? She is the hostess (maybe the owner?) and she is so friendly and welcoming. I think she is the nicest person I ever met in paris!!!

Another one to try in the 7th is Kniaz Igor (http://kniaz-igor.com), a beautiful little Russian restaurant on Ave. de la Bourdonnais. An excellent prix fixe menu for 28 euros (except Saturdays)--click on "la carte" and you'll see the choices included. Plus you get live music and LOADS of ambience!! This restaurant is well off the tourist radar, but another Fodorite recently celebrated her birthday there and reported having a great time.

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Anymore thoughts before I leave? I am going tomorrow!

By the way I will be posting my journal to my weblog while I am away.

http://richardab.typepad.com/iheartparis/

Bookmark and tune in daily!!

Hi Richard,
Have a great trip! FYI, if you like Alsace cuisine, a friend just gave 2 big thumbs up to La Forge, 63 blvd de Vaugirard, near Montparnasse. About 25 euros per person. (Stella, over in the 16th, also does Alsace cuisine, but it's considerably more expensive).

Hi Richard:

You ask, "what's the reataurant buzz right now." We are friends with the owner of a French restaurant in Los Angeles. When we told him of our upcoming trip to Paris, he said he has heard a great deal about Dans le Noir (51, rue Quincampoix, 4th Arr.; Tel 01 42 77 98 04; Fax 01 42 77 98 07; Website www.danslenoir.fr). It's two blocks from the Pompidou Center. Metro: Etienne Marcel, Rambuteau, Chatelet-Les Halles, or Hotel de ville).

Our friend said we MUST go there and report back.

Have a great trip.

Woody

Re: Dans le Noir
according to reviews and the website the place is completely dark (not dim, blacked out) and you can only taste what's on your plate, not see it first. One review said that the waiters are blind, and also that going with your companion means that, as on the radio, you will hear a voice but see nothing.

Thanks, Elaine. Perhaps I should drop in for a drink -- and check out the place -- before commiting to dine there.

Woody

As soon as I saw your post I thought "Le Florimond." We also like L'Affriole.

CHez Maitre Paul has served us well over the years.

In the Marais, we love les Fou d'en Face,
cozy, arty, family and GREAT wines.

Le Progres in Montmartre (not up near the church, down the funicular and across the street to the right)

http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/21363/18308/2/ (more recs)

chez paul and chez francis.

La Mascotte in the 18th (Rude de Abbesses) go for lunch.