Punkyl44

Hello!

I've been going through previous posts on restaurants and can't seem to find what I'm looking for so I thought I'd put the question to the experts.

We will be in Paris in February for a weekend and want to have a special, romantic dinner. Most of the "romantic" restaurants recommended seem to be over 100 EU without wine for the prix fix. We'd like to find somewhere romantic (warm, charming, classic- we don't like the "modern" look) with great food for under $200 (with wine and everything). Any recommendations?

Thanks!

LoriMN

If you've seen the movie "Somethings Gotta Give" the restaurant in Paris is small, romantic and not over the top price wise. The restaurant is Le Grand Colbert.

We at there in February and again for New Year's Eve and really enjoyed it.

Good luck!

JulieVikmanis

Another restaurant that is always mentioned in response to this question is Chez Julien, on the right bank, on the quai next to the Seine as it passes the Ile St. Louis--not to be confused with Julien which is a bistro in the 9th or 10th. chez Julien was featured in the movie Accidental tourist. It is very small, very quaint, very romantic--all velvet and candlelight. Good food and reasonable prices. Enjoy.

Patrick

Chez Julien is indeed lovely, but a restaurant we've found that is considerably less expensive and just as atmospheric is Le Petite Prince. To be honest we've ended up liking the food better as well, but it isn't quite so "fancy". We've eaten at both places three times. I don't have the address handy, but it is going up the hill from St. Jacques towards the Sorbonne.

ggnga

I would also like to recommend Chez Julien. We had our 10th anniversary dinner there and thought it was wonderful. We, of course, picked it from recommendation here on Fodor's.
Sounds exactly like what you are asking for.

MelJ

My husband and I really love Le Ille de Gourmet, which is on the Ille de Cite. It's a small restaurant in a 400 year old building. SMall and romantic. They have a pre fixe menu selection that will allow you to choose a starter, main course and dessert and includes a bottle of wine (per couple) for about 68 euros. The service is great, the wait staff is friendly and the atmosphere is very romantic.

We've sent others there and no one has been disappointed.

RonZ

Our favorite romantic restaurant is Armand au Palais Royale, a couple of blocks down from Le Grand Colbert at the north end of the Palais Royale. There is a description and pictures on reservethebest.com.

oakglen

Our choice would be Coupe-Chou, 9 rue de Lanneau, in the 5th. Zagat gives it a 21 for food (perhaps a bit generous). The building is a stone structure that has been standing for hundreds of years; arched ceilings, a hugh fireplace and exposed stone walls provide a medieval setting. JP

StCirq

Here's another vote for Armand au Palais Royal.

grandmere

Ron and St.Cirq, please tell some more about Armand, such as type of cuisine, prices, etc. We'll be in Paris for 4 dinners with cousin and wife who have never been to France, and I want to choose 4 different types of places, including 1 that I've not been to.
So far, I have Allard and Le Train Bleu on my list.

Thank you!

Is Armand near Le Grand Vefour?

cigalechanta

Chez Francis. Yes, Armand is near the Grand Vefour.

Punkyl44

Thanks for the great suggestions!

Does anyone know of a website with a menu or pictures for Chez Julien or Armand au Palais Royale?

There seems to be so many great choices that we are having a hard time choosing since we only have two nights in Paris and we'll be celebrating Valentine's Day that weekend!

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...ge=2&fid=2

You can search for the thread if the link doesn't work with "romantic paris"

cigalechanta

http://www.cometoparis.com/parisianbrasseries.html

Punkyl44

Sorry for the inadvertent link to this thread in my last message- I accidentally cut it in with the message (I was sending it to my boyfriend to look at).

Anyway, I am having a hard time finding info on Chez Julien. Anyone know how to locate any pictures/menu info? I think I keep finding the other "Julien" in the tenth.

Thanks for all your help!

Scarlett

Chez Julien
1, rue Pont Louis-Philippe
75001,, Paris
metros: Pont-Marie, Hôtel de Ville
01 42 78 31 64
fax: 01 42 74 39 30
House specialties: Profiterolles of snails, tarragon sauce, veal medallions with mushrooms, scallops. Summary & comments: We’ve admired this gem of a restaurant for years. From the outside this charming spot is highly inviting with its 1900 ceiling and antique decor. In the summer months, you can sit outside on the terrace and enjoy an enchanting view of the Saint Germain Church, the oldest church on the Right Bank. You’re sitting a stone’s throw from the Seine with your back to the Marais, and time, here, has stopped. We strongly recommend the snails here. Romantic setting. Reservations advised for dinner...

<a photo>
http://www.clasohm.com/photodb/prese...ation_id=11376

RonZ

Our last dinner at Armand came to 132 euros: apertifs, menus at 41, and an inexpensive bottle of wine. That is an incredible value for what is a truly memorable dining experience.

Google for --Paris restaurant Armand --and open reservethebest for a description and pictures. It is located at the northeast end of the Palais Royale. If the Bourse Metro is more convenient, walk down rue Vivienne to the end and go left.

The proprieter, Jean-Pierre, an extemely gracious host, takes the time [with some degree of pride] to describe every item on the menu and how it is prepared. This gets into how one sauce complements another, why the particular fish is good that time of year, and what not.
This leads you to wonder, as you savor your selections, what those others are like!

The signature entree [first course] is a corn crepe with warm foie gras and a rich vinegar and butter sauce that is just incredible.

If undecided when it is time for dessert, try the creme brulle.

RonZ

I should add that while Le Grand Colbert is an attractive place, we very much prefer the brasserie Le Vaudeville, right up the street [across from the Bourse]. There is a no smoking section, which in warm weather opens to the street. Our practice is to get there about 8pm because later on it gets really busy. We order ala carte [great escargots], and with a couple of Kir royales and the house wine usually spend about 80 euros or so.

While the food is terrific, the place has terrific atmosphere--waiters bustling around, people enjoying themselves and engaged in lively conversation. You really know you're in Paris when dining here!

Punkyl44

OK- I've narrowed down the choices based on all your great suggestions. My big sticking point is I can't find a picture of the interior of Chez Julien. Can anyone describe it?

Here are my three choices:
Chez Julien (not to be confused with the Brasserie Julien)
Armand au Palais Royale
Coupe-Chou

I like the fire place at Coupe-Chou, but I was envisioning something more classic looking with candlelight and red velvet. The picture of Armand on reservethebest.com makes it look a bit gaudy (leopard-skin looking chairs)- is this the case or is it just a bad picture?

Thanks so much for indulging my questions about Paris and Romance- while I've been in Paris several times and consider it to be one of the most romantic places in the world, it has always been with family or friends, so going with my boyfriend of three years for Valentine's day (only two nights) is a big deal and I want it to be really special!

cigalechanta

Here's a photo of the outside but you can google for the more often photo of the inside.
http://www.martinlawrence.com/kondak...ez_julian.html