maren8

Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions! My first foray into the forums has proven to me what a selfless group the Fodorites are!

And I can't take credit for the nifty screen name -it's my first name and my favourite number ...

Girlspytravel

Along the same street as the popular and very crowded Le Petit Prince -at 11 Rue de Lanneau-is a really romantic bistro, with a lovely outdoor terrace, a working fireplace, the rooms lit by candlelight, and a great menu selection, all of which falls within your price range -LE COUPE CHOU-you can check out the bistro and menu here at their website:

http://www.lecoupechou.com/

And another bistro I know of that gets excellent reviews from a Parisian artist friend of mine "Au Moulin au Vent Chez Henri" on Rue des Fosses St. Bernard in the 5th-intimate, great service, meat specialties

oakglen

Chez Fernand is a favorite of Murielle Romand; she owns the poster/print shop, Galerie Documents, on rue du Seine. Les Fetes Galantes is a funky little place with excellent food and low prices. You must reserve here; as I recall they have maybe half a dozen tables.

carolyn

I second Le Perraudin on St. Jacques. We had a very good meal there. We were seated next to an American couple who have lived in Paris for a number of years and who said they always bring their guests there for dinner.

Amy40

Wonderful and timely information. Will be staying in the 5eme at the end of Sept.

As for the foodie and non-foodie, there will often be a choice of formules (or set menus) to choose from, with a range of prices. You can do soup to nuts and he can order according to his own tastes.

Also, remember the rule of dollar (err...euro) cost averaging. A nice little 21 Euro prix fixe one day can make up for the 40 Euro "splurge" the next!

One final tip, I never remember what I paid for a meal...only what I ate and how it all felt to be in France! Congratulations!