Hi Folks,

Has anyone any good tips for a Paris restaurant that would be good for a party..preferably in the 3rd/4th or maybe 2nd?
I'm bringing my wife to Paree for her 40th and want to meet up with a gang of friends (about 12 in total) for an extra surprise.
I'm looking for somewhere with decent food ( but not too fussy)--maybe French/bistrot style but open to all-fairly informal , with a great atmopsphere...somewhere we won't be rushed out the door as soon as we eat.
Somewhere with a good deal early bird might do also.
Most of the gang are staying in or near the Marais/Bastille region so somewhere near to there would be a preference.
Also if anyone has suggestions as to somewhere for some pre dinner drinks ( a bit of cremant or bubbly peut-etre!) and/or somewhere good for dancing later I'd greatly appreciate it.
Thanks in advance!

How about Bofinger's which is in the 3rd, just to the west of place de la Bastille. It's certainly big enough and has decent food, not too fussy, and they won't rush you out the door as far as I know. I don't rush out after eating, but don't hang around for hours, so I'm not sure. I just ate there a couple weeks ago and enjoyed it very much. I had some kind of salmon in a pastry pocket, which was very good, and I think there were some potatoes with it, decent Sancerre. I never heard about any early bird things, not sure what that means, but I suspect you mean like in Florida, you get a cheap meal if you eat at 5:00? My grandparents loved those. I've never seen such a thing in Paris, most places aren't even open before 7:30 or so for dinner. But if you are drinking before that and still want it early, what kind of timing are you wanting to start drinking? And you won't be able to go dancing if you find a place to eat dinner very early.

I was going to suggest Bofinger as well. It's a great place for a party. And if you visit their website, you can get a discount coupon.

I sincerely doubt you'll find an early bird special anywhere in France, and if you did, the food would likely be dubious at best. No French chef is going to start putting out food before 7:30 or so at the earliest.

Ditto on the above regarding specials. And yes, dinner will be 7:30 or later. Good news, unlike at home, there will be no rush to get you to leave, the tables are yours for the night.

We had a wonderful big birthday celebration party at Les Bouquinistes on Quai des Agustins, along the Seine. I don't think ou'll find any "early specials" dining in Paris

I spent my 50th birthday at the Le Bistro de Breteuil. It has a small area in the back and they set us up. It was wonderful and it is right near the Effiel Tower so it is fun to go there after dinner.

Thanks everyone...I had been told that Procope and a few others do an early bird meal for about 6/7pm but will probably just go for a normal starting time.Will check out Bofinger and all the above recommendations but please keep them coming too!!

Go to www.lesrestos.com, click on the metro nearest to your hotel and then click on "salon prive". You can also click on price levels if you chose.

Don't go to Procope. Well, go to check out the building itself - I think it's the oldest restaurant in Paris - but not for food. Big disappointment there. Go, have a drink, and leave.

Thanks StCirq...will do....and cheers for that Oakglen...great site!