sr_milione_miglia

Staying at a hotel on Boul' Mich for 3 nights, starting 9/19/10. We will visit our favorite restaurants but are open for suggestions for something new for dinner. Our favorite lunch is an omelette and frites so nothing heavy,fancy and overpriced for dinner.

StCirq

There's a Chez Clément right there. Nothing fancy, and the service sucks, but it's cheap and decent if that's all you're looking for.

AnthonyGA

The area around the boulevard Saint Michel (it is only rarely referred to as the Boul' Mich') is filled with restaurants of all kinds, especially at the northern end near the river. There aren't many fancy restaurants, though. There's an abundance of Greek restaurants near the river on the east side, in the pedestrian zone around the rue de la Huchette—mainly because of the proximity of a Greek Orthodox church. There are crepe restaurants all over, and a number of Japanese, generic Asian, and Italian restaurants. You really have a huge choice. In fact, you could eat every meal at a different restaurant for your stay with no problem.

Prices are not high, but on the other hand, I can't think of any restaurant in the immediate area that would provide a meal to write home about. Chez Clément is a chain, with nice atmosphere and so-so food; the terrace is pretty. There's even a wannabe American diner almost right next to Chez Clément, and there's a Subway on the other side. Plus a McDonald's on the rue de la Harpe, and three Starbucks in the area. The Latin Quarter is not famous for its cuisine so much as for its atmosphere. Lots of variety and affordable, no world-class gastronomic venues.

kerouac

I must point out that I don't think that anybody under the age of 60 has said "Boul' Mich" since around 1969.

The cheap and simple places are on rue de la Harpe and rue de la Huchette. No gastronomy in sight!

StCirq

I agree - Boul' Mich is comically passé. And the Greek food places on rue de la Harpe and rue de la Huchette are downright disgusting. The one time I was talked into eating in one of them there was a dead pigeon under my table...and what looked like another one on my plate.

adrienne

Your question is a bit difficult to answer since you haven't said what restos you've been to so how would anyone know what's new for you. Also what is your budget. Over priced for one person is under priced for another. Same with fancy.

Michel_Paris

Chez Clement was a good place. I also went to La Jacobine which is nearby.

Michel_Paris

Les Bouquinistes, Ze Kitchen Gallerie, Le Petit Zinc (bit further)

sr_milione_miglia

kerouac,and I hope you have respect for that name, and StCirq. I don't go on here for sarcasm, I go on for suggestions. I'm 72 years old so I think that qualifies me to refer to it as "Boul' Mich". My first time in Paris was in 1961 and that's how, in my reading of Hemingway, it was called. StCirq, if you have nothing positive to add why are you wasting my time in reply to my query? Do you have a non-negative suggestion?

grandmere

We had a couple of great dinners in a tiny place on rue Hautefeuille, which runs into rue St.Andre des Arts, near Place St. Michel. It's called Cafe de la Tourelle and serves good, traditional French fare. Last fall it was 24 euro for a 3 course meal. It's a one minute walk from "touristy" places, but we appeared to be the only English speakers both times we dined there.

It is not in the same class as Les Bouquinistes, Ze Kitchen Galerie, etc. ; it's more like a neighborhood restaurant where you're assured of a good meal, if not innovative.

avalon

Le Reminet and Chez Fernand are nearby. And it's easy to cross the bridge to Isle St Louis and the street is lined with nice restaurants.

Chez Fernand is on Rue Christine and Le Reminet on rue de Grand Degres

kerouac

At age 72, you are completely authorized to say "Boul' Mich." However, we are no longer in the same century as 1961. (I made my first trip to France in 1954!)(Okay, I was 2 years old.)

I recommend crossing the 2 bridges and eating at Au Trappiste at Place du Châtelet, right at the beginning of rue Saint Denis.

StCirq

<<Do you have a non-negative suggestion?>>

I already gave you one.

sr_milione_miglia

to kerouac,
I read "On the Road" at age 19, on the aircraft carrier Intrepid. I've been an intrepid traveler ever since. No need for a reply, just interesting you chose "kerouac".
DVA

sr_milione_miglia

Thank you StCirq, indeed you did. I just took offense at your 2nd message, "comically passé". To me, that's kind of bitchy. I think we can have civil conversations here, we're all travelers and we can share our experiences in a productive way.
DVA

Michel_Paris

Your favorites from 1961 may be gone

Ignoring my last couple of suggestions (bit [pricier)
Rotisserie du Beaujolais along Seine, Left Bank, behind Notre Dame is good. There are several decent restaurants along the Seine near here.

Brasserie de L'ile on Ile St Louis was a nice lunch last time I went. Steak and fries.

Ackislander

I am a big fan of Leon de Bruxelles for mussels. Zero atmosphere but almost always yummy mussels and frites. There is one at Odeon, on Boulevard St Germain about 3 blocks from the Boul St Michel.

We had a delicious lunch last October on the Rue Lobineau behind the Marche Saint Germain. I think it was Le Petit Fernand. Oceans of atmosphere and good food (boudin noir, pommes vapeur, etc).

sr_milione_miglia

Thanks everyone, so little time, so many places to try. We will only be in Paris for 3 days, then train to Tours to rent bikes for touring the Loire châteaux and yes at 72 I'm still cycling.
DVA

Nikki

Le Petit Prince de Paris, 12 rue de Lanneau, for very good French food at reasonable prices. Reservations are a good idea. 01 43 54 77 26

Le Pre Verre, 8 rue Thenard, for French food interpreted with some Asian seasoning, also at reasonable prices. Reservations necessary at 01 43 54 59 47.

sr_milione, I was traveling on a train in Switzerland at age 21 in 1972 with my friend (who is now my sister-in-law) and she was reading On the Road. I noticed that the guy sitting across from us was reading Sur La Route.

cherrybomb

car racing in addition to fashion? interesting.