Hi Head,

You can try calling them at
1016868 011 33 1 47 05 46 44

It will cost 10 cts/min.

Oddly enough, I just walked by La Fontaine de Mars two days ago and they had a sign saying they were closed for some renovation work. It didn't say for how long it will be closed. It looked like it was minor work - not gutted or anything. The doors were open, the little curtains were still up. I'd give a call and see if maybe you can find out. Our friends live in an apartment above it, so next time I speak to them I'll ask if they've heard anything about it, too.

Alcazar - can be hit and miss
La Butte Chaillot - used to be a favourite of mine but when I went there a few months ago I was really disappointed.
Le Pied du Cochon - even if you have a reservation - you can be left waiting for over an hour at really busy times.
Bofinger and all those Flo brasseries are ok - but if you go to more than one in the chain it's quite repetitive.
La Fermette Marbeuf - I like for the interior.
L'Alsace - is that joint on the Champs Elysees I think - enough said.

Hi Ann, sorry, I missed your question earlier...the answer is that we are going to the U.K. in late June, and Cornwall is on my must-see list! (I admit, I have a long-running infatuation with the King Arthur legends and would love to see Tintagel...)

Head, if Fontaine de Mars is closed, I recommend Le P'tit Troquet as a good and nearby substitute!

Tintagel is good. Consider Stonehenge on the Salisbury Plain too.

Hi, hausfrau - good news about your visiting cornwall this June..

Please let me know if there's any planning i can help you with.

Regards,

ann

Just letting you know that La Fontaine de Mars is in fact being gutted currently. I walked by yesterday and the place looked to be under major construction. The first time I walked by, the work must just have been beginning. I don't know how long it will be closed - there were no signs up in the windows.

Stay away from horse.

CHEZ RENE!!! excellent.

These are our absolute favorites from past trips. All are tiny and charming with great food at reasonable prices. All felt like a place locals would go rather than tourists.

<u>Le P'tit Troquet, 28 rue de l'Exposition, 7th, 01-47-05-80-39</u>
Puff pastry filled with melted gruyere cheese and a delightful salad.&nbsp; Then a fish in reduction wine sauce and the best creme caramel in the world.&nbsp; The epitome of charming.

<u>Le Grenier de Notre-Dame, 18 rue de la Bucherie, 5th, 01-43-29-98-29</u> (charming, vegetarian ...who knew??)
&nbsp;
<u>L'Affriole 17 rue Malar, 7th Tel: 01.44.18.31.33 Mº Invalides</u>
Charming --homemade country bread and olive butter with a plate of tiny appetizers, the main course, a cheese course and then dessert -- orange souffle and pots de creme and coffee, plus a plate of whole walnuts served with a nutcracker and candied dried apricots to end.

<u>Chantairelle 17, rue Laplace 01 46 33 18 59</u>
Puff pastry boxes filled with wild mushrooms, lamb with foi gras and pear tart for dessert. Wonderful.
http://www.chantairelle.com/chantair...sit/index.html

<u>Le Reminet, 3 rue des Grands-Degres, 5th, 01-44-07-04-24 - across the river from Notre Dam</u> (soooo good and charming and open on Sunday!)

bookmarking

I realize this is an older thread, but will second two places we visited last June and loved: Le Troquet, in the 15th, and Le Bastide Odeon. Went to the first one with a party of 7, loose, fun, very good food. Went to Bastide Odeon with party of 4, lovely decor, friendly service, great food.

bkmark

bkmrking

and bookmarking

All - thanks so much! bookmarking

Just wanted to add Le Petit Lutetia, 107 rue de sevres, to those looking for a delightful, non-fussy bistro in Paris. Delicious food in an art nouveau setting. And warm, helpful staff. I will never forget that experience.

bkmkg

Just a note on TC's post above. Le Reminet was filled with tourists when I ate there last fall. I did not notice ANY locals when we ate at 8pm on a Sunday.

I second all those who raved about Le Troquet. We had been meaning to eat there on our last 2 trips but alas, too many choices and not enough days, so I made sure we went there last May. We ordered the 6 course tasting menu that eliminated any choosing. The only course that was not fantastic was dessert, which was good, but since I am not a dessert person, I was fine with that. We loved it so much we ate there for our final dinner (I belive the menu changes weekly.) Our other favorite was Le Pamphlet. L Ami Jean is one that we have not been able to get to but rest assured will be on the top of the list for our visit next May.