Please help me...I'm at my wits end searching for a good restaurant in either the 6th or 14th eme.

Here's a little background. Wife and I will be traveling to Paris in early April. Neither of us have ever been to Paris. Our first night in Paris will be our 4th wedding anniversary.

Our hotel is a short walk from the Vavin metro station.

I'm looking for a nice restaurant, serving traditional french fare and I'm willing to pay about 5O euros per person.

I have searched this website, the internet and multiple books, but still don't have a clear-cut winner.

Please provide me with your thoughts...any help is greatly appreciated.

Try Le Reminet or the Chez Fernand on rue Christine..both require reservations..50 Euro per peraon ought to cover it if you don't go overboard on the wine. There are so many restuarants in that price range you'll get 100's of suggestions.

Why not go for a stroll on arrival to discover your new neighborhood, and pick your restaurant in the process? Much more fun to do your own than rely on somebody else's recs, especially at this relatively modest price you quote, that excludes those really famous places that people brag about.

As you walk around (you need to go stretch your legs anyway after the flight), a look inside restaurants and a look at the menu are allowed before you sit down - just make eye contact and say Bonjour (or Bonsoir after 5 PM).

"Chez Fernand on rue Christine"

We had lunch at Chez Fernand a week ago today on our final day in Paris. It was our favorite meal of the trip. I highly recommend it!

I have read on this forum that this restaurant has very beautiful Belle Epoque decor and a good menu:

"Le Montparnasse 1900"
59 blvd Montparnasse Paris 75006
Open Daily from 7pm-1am
Tél : 01 45 49 19 00
Fax : 01 45 49 19 09
There's a form on the website to reserve online:
http://www.gerard-joulie.com/montparnasse.htm

http://lartnouveau.com/restaurants/p...rnasse1900.htm

Hi C,

If you wouldn't mind a 20 min ride on the bus or metro Le Train Bleu, in the Gare de Lyon has a 46E menu.

http://www.le-train-bleu.com/

See www.ratp.fr for directions.

Within a very short walking distance from Metro Vavin is the famous La Closerie des Lilas, 171 Blvd. du Montparnasse.Tel:43267050.
Hemingway & Fitzgrald met here for the first time.
The terrace is ringed with trees and a much more elgant restaurant than in their day.

There is also a little Italian place called Auberge Venise at 10 Rue Delambre where there have been good reports.

Ira's suggestion of the Le Train Bleu is fantastic and even if you don't make it on your anniversary do try and go there for lunch or dinner as it's interior is absolutely incredible - the foods not half bad either!

Happy anniversary! - there are lots more places in the area like Le Bistro du Dome, 1 Rue Delambre: La Coupole, 171 Blvd.du Montparnasse, so don't stress.

I can't suggest restaurants even though I stayed in that area in November, on Blvd. Raspail. I'm sorry to admit that I just "wing" it regarding the food. I just wanted to say that that is a great area. It has a real neighborhood feel, lots of restaurants, patiseries, etc. Several metro stops close..Vavin of course, Raspail, Edgar Quinet, and Notre Dame des Champs. Very easy to get around the city from there. Have a great trip and I hope your find a "perfect" restaurant for your first night.

Sorry! La Coupole is at 102 Blvd. du Montparnasse not 171.

La Marlotte on the Rue du Cherche-Midi (in the 6th) is great - smallish, nice variety in the menu and always a welcoming plce. Check their website to see what days they are open.

Some restaurants I have enjoyed in Montparnasse:

La Cerisae, 70 bvd. Edgar Quinet, 01 43 20 98 98, is a tiny restaurant with very good southwestern French food.

La Coupole, 102 bvd du Montparnasse, is a large brasserie which is lively at all hours, and if you order one of the large seafood platters filled with oysters, crabs, and all sorts of cold seafood both identifiable and not, you will be the envy of all those around you. There is a 15% discount if you reserve on line:
http://www.flobrasseries.com/coupoleparis/en/

The Bistro du Dome, 1 rue Delambre, is a casual fish place, less expensive and less formal than the Dome, to which it is related, across the street. I have eaten at the Bistro du Dome and enjoyed it but have not gone to the Dome.

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

Just dined with my family at le bistrot du Dome over Christmas. You can read my description at the above site. I would probably only go there though if you wanted to order fish.

Another comfortable but I think still affordable restaurant might be Chez Le Maitre Paul in the 6th. Excellent chicken.

Perhaps it's a bit more expensive, but Rotisserie d'en Face, also in the 6th, has excellent food, is busy but comfortable, and, if you don't speak French, the waiters usually readily speak English. Also very good chicken.

letour

Do a search on Paris Trip Report by Hausfrau. It is extensive but with useful restaurant information.

Thank you Schubert for that link from Hausfrau - I see we haven't had any comment as yet from clemson91.
I am also interested to find out what hotel the anniversary couple will be staying at for my own future reference?

Thanks for all of the information.

My wife and I are now mulling over a couple of restaurant choices and will probably choose from one of the following:

1. Le Montparnasse 1900 (6th)
2. La Coupole (14th)
3. Le Dome (14th)
4. Le Coupe Chou (5th)
5. Le Petit Pontoise (6th)

To answer Tod's questions, we are staying at the Hotel Lenox Montparnasse on Rue Delambre in a club room.

Can't wait to go...April 11th can't come fast enough.

We've eaten at all your choices except the Montparnasse, and would recommend any of them except Le Coupe Choux. The setting is fine but the food IMO, mediocore at best.