First time visit to Paris. My husband and I love good food. We need a recommendation for a great restaurant.

<BR>Carolyne <BR> <BR>It is possible you are not getting repsonses to your post because it is too general---what kind of restaurant do you want very expensive, moderate or inexpensive? <BR> <BR>Do you want a family style bistro--which to people like me is the best--or fancy place? <BR> <BR>Maybe you should look in the red Michelin Guide where some restaurants are rated by stars <BR>and many more simply listed <BR> <BR>Also backpedal here and youll find tons of response to restaurant questions <BR> <BR>AH

You asked for great restaurants and there are a number in that category, but the two that are heads above the rest are Alain Ducasse and Taillevent. Both are on the net. Ducasse is the most extraordinary service I have ever had in Paris. Have a full wallet for both. <BR>If you are looking for something more moderate and love escargots and duck l'orange, try L'Escargot Montorguile at 38 Rue Montorguile. Fabulous food and moderately priced. Try their escargot sampler with three varieties.

Hi Carolyne <BR>If you search this forum for <BR>Paris restaurant you will find many suggestions. Without knowing your budget it's hard to make a recommendation. For an expensive dinner (the equivalent of at least $75pp)but not as expensive as Taillevent or the Jules Verne or Alain Ducasse, I just love le Violon d'Ingres. Just wonderful food, excellent service, decor not particularly memorable but pleasant. <BR>Reserve at least a month or two in advance.

Any suggestions for bistro with character,history and charm.And of course great food.

Try L'Ami Louis---expensive, but unbelievable, and book it before you leave the States. Any Paris concierge will know it---it doesn't look like much, but it's great---last time I was there, I saw Robert DeNiro eating there. As meagre as it sounds, order the Roast Chicken for 2, Petit Pois, Pomme Frittes----you'll thank me, except for your wallet!!!!

Thank you for your response and advice. <BR>Bistro types would be fine!!!

There are thousands. For a bunch, go to: <BR>www.anamericaninparis.com <BR>[email protected]

I have emailed Fred with a copy to Fodors asking him to stop his commercial postings.

<BR>I suspect the post above from me was actually to me from Carolyne...so okay bistros. <BR>I regret I cannot give you addresses but I can give you arrondisments. These are bistros that serve traditional french food usually based on some regional cuisine in France. <BR> <BR>Colimacon 3rd <BR>de la Tour 15th <BR>lAlsaco (Alsace cuisine) 9th <BR>Persille Fleur 9th <BR>Cap Vernet 8th (A cut above a bistro it features seafood) <BR>Chez Maitre Paul 6th <BR>Etchagorry 13th <BR>Pavillon Montsouris 14th (a romantic restaurant by a park but with bistro prices) <BR>Quercy 9th <BR>Dominique 6th (just for a change--a Russian restaurant---the first restaurant I ever ate in in Paris a century ago--or so it seems.) <BR>Soufflot 5th <BR>Tante Louis 8th (Its gotten a little too busy for my taste) <BR>Chez Paul 13th <BR> <BR>Also window shop--if you see a place and like the feel of it and the menu sounds goodtry it that night---thats how I found most of the above <BR> <BR>And remember resrtaurants change--so if you are disappointed dont blame me <BR> <BR>Bon apetit! <BR>AH

any comments about : Chez Pauline <BR>Au Petit Riche <BR>Le Voltaire <BR>Benoit <BR>Helene Darroze <BR>Le Vieux Bistro <BR>Le Petit Cour <BR> thanx <BR> <BR>

Up to the top!

I believe the November issue of Travel and Leisure did a feature on favorite French foods and where to find them in Paris. One of the featured restaurants was Le Vieux Bistro with pictures and recommendations. Has anyone eaten there?

Can't help you with Le Vieux Bistro at the moment, but I have a reservation for next Sat. night. Will report back when I return on the 24th.

Thanks Peg. Please report back after your trip on Le Vieux Bistro. The article I read mentioned that they were best known for their escargots, frog's legs, boeuf bourguignonne, hanger steak and profiteroles. I'm visiting in early September and would love to hear a report on your experience there. YOu may e-mail me directly if you like. <BR> <BR>Thanks

I will be in Paris in April.The restaurants Philippe Detourbe,Restaurant du Palais Royal and Chardenoux have been recommended by friends,what comments can others add to these suggestions or maybe help with more restaurant/bistro choices . <BR> <BR> Thank you

To the top for Lynne.This post has some great suggestions.Good Luck.

Here are three of my favorites in Paris - <BR> <BR>Le Vieux Bistro next to Notre Dam is great. Everthing a little bistro should be. Don't be put off by the touristy restaurants in this area. This is the real thing! Very Casual. <BR> <BR>Spoon by Alan Ducasse. The say its Amerivan but its really French. The service is great and atmosphere really cool. The menu is very original and interesting. They have a websight too! Wear Black. <BR> <BR>http://www.spoon.tm.fr/ <BR> <BR>Man Ray - 8th arrondissement at <BR>34, rue Marbeuf. Its a very cool restaurant in a very cool dramatic space. The food is French/Asian. It feels like a combination of a club and a restaurant. ZAGATS says, "People-watchers hit pay dirt at this "enormous" Eclectic near the Champs-Elysées, created by restaurateur Thierry Klemeniuk with such celeb investors as Sean Penn and John Malkovich." Wear black. <BR> <BR>Le Grand Cafe - 4, boulvarde des Capucines - 75009 Paris. This is a traditional cafe near the Opera. I love the Steak Frites. The prices aren't bad. The atmosphere is loud and french. They have a websight too! <BR> <BR>http://www.legrandcafe.com/ <BR> <BR>For more ideas check out <BR> <BR>www.zagats.com <BR> <BR>and <BR> <BR>http://www.lesfreresblanc.com <BR> <BR>Les Freres Blanc is a websight of 10 legendary Brasseries Parisiennes. Click on the restaurants button for a list. <BR> <BR>The Grand Cafe and Le Vieux Bistro are both moderte prices. The rest are worthy of a splurge if you reallt want to dine in the French Style. <BR> <BR>Eat Well! <BR> <BR>RichardAB <BR>http://home.earthlink.net/~richardab

Here are some of my favorites in Paris - <BR> <BR>Le Vieux Bistro next to Notre Dam is great. Everthing a little bistro should be. Don't be put off by the touristy restaurants in this area. This is the real thing! Very Casual. <BR> <BR>Spoon by Alan Ducasse. The say its Amerivan but its really French. The service is great and atmosphere really cool. The menu is very original and interesting. They have a websight too! Wear Black. <BR> <BR>http://www.spoon.tm.fr/ <BR> <BR>Man Ray - 8th arrondissement at <BR>34, rue Marbeuf. Its a very cool restaurant in a very cool dramatic space. The food is French/Asian. It feels like a combination of a club and a restaurant. ZAGATS says, "People-watchers hit pay dirt at this "enormous" Eclectic near the Champs-Elysées, created by restaurateur Thierry Klemeniuk with such celeb investors as Sean Penn and John Malkovich." Wear black. <BR> <BR>Le Grand Cafe - 4, boulvarde des Capucines - 75009 Paris. This is a traditional cafe near the Opera. I love the Steak Frites. The prices aren't bad. The atmosphere is loud and french. They have a websight too! <BR> <BR>http://www.legrandcafe.com/ <BR> <BR>For more ideas check out <BR> <BR>www.zagats.com <BR> <BR>and <BR> <BR>http://www.lesfreresblanc.com <BR> <BR>Les Freres Blanc is a websight of 10 legendary Brasseries Parisiennes. Click on the restaurants button for a list. <BR> <BR>The Grand Cafe and Le Vieux Bistro are both moderte prices. The rest are worthy of a splurge if you reallt want to dine in the French Style. <BR> <BR>Eat Well! <BR> <BR>RichardAB <BR>http://home.earthlink.net/~richardab

Great post Richard AB.I'm looking for the traditional bistro with zinc bar,smokey mirrors and tin ceiling.Anybody have suggestions? <BR> <BR>Thanks,Roni