I kindly suggest that if a $100 lunch makes you type an exclamation point (!) then you would most likely be more comfortable choosing restaurants in a lower price range.

As established fix-price menu means just that... for 1 person to eat 1 meal. Maaaaybe you could share an expensive entree if you also each ordered an appetizer, but even that is a push for normal good expensive-restaurant manners.

There's plenty of wonderful cafes and bistros in Paris that won't break the bank. Just go to them, is my best advice.

If you order a la carte and want to share an appetizer or dessert - most places will have no problem - a lot of people don;t have appetites that are that big. But to order a prix fixe meal (already the bargain of the day) and then try to share it just isn;t playing fair.

If its a too much food issue - just don;t finish it all. If its the cost - choose a less expensive restaurant - or just order two courses vs three.

Tod,

As promised, some restaurants in the 10th and 11th arrondissement where you "will not be robbed," as the French. say They're arranged in rough order of expense -- near the top a "local joint" that has a 9.50 euro three-course home-cooking dinner menu! You will not hear much English spoken in these places, unless a few other brave Fodorites have made their way to them. The highest-priced is under $100, and most are well under.

Paris-Hanoi, 74 rue Charonne, delicious soups that are a lunch or light dinner in themselves for under 10 euros.

Le Bar des Artisans, 40 rue de Montreuil, Metro Faideherbe-Chaligny, 9.50 three-course menu. Also offerd very good couscous for 15 to 20 euros per person.

Jacques Melac, 42 rue Leon Frot, a bistro a vins (and Paris institution) with tasty appetizers and main courses from the Auvergne, two-course lunch menu, 14.50 euros.

La Ravigote, 41 rue de Montreuil, one of our favorites, a quirky little bistro with charming decor. Lots of "parts" on the menu (tete de veau is the specialty) but we always find something we dare eat and we always leave happy. About 20 euros per person for three courses in the evening.

La Madonnina, 10 rue Marie et Louise, near the Canal St. Martin, a delightful little Italian bistro in the slightly shabby style, with good food and very fair prices.

Bistro du Peintre, 116 avenue Ledru Rollin (pleasant atmosphere and very good food, like mom's if mom were a very good French cook.)

Astier, 44 rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud (traditional French fare, great cheese course, gentle prices.)

Bistrot Paul Bert, 18 rue Paul Bert, French food, nicely done.

Le Temps au Temps, 13 rue Paul Bert, a postage stamp of a place with fine food and refined decor.

So far, and do correct me if I am wrong, the "down" side of doing this seems to be that you won't be "viewed" very well either by the server or who knows who is going to notice this. Thus far nobody here has ventured the notion that you'd be thrown out of the place (which you wouldn't be in all likelihood) and then there are the people who apparently would do it but NOT in a Michelin restaurant (no guts no glory I guess).

So, does how you are viewed bother you that much? Only you can answer that.
Frankly, I'd love to know how much you are spending on everything else....you said a "tasting would be divine enough..." Well, then go to a restaurant that has a tasting menu, spend a little less on those CD's, and don't be a cheapskate in the restaurants.

Hi JC,

A prix fixe menu is intended for one person - not to be split between 2. It's the same as going to an "all you can eat" place and ordering for one - no sharing.

As noted above, you can order a la carte and split the main course.

((I))

There's so much great food to be had, why put yourself in a potentially awkward situation? And I'm going to take a guess you have never worked in a restaurant yourself?

Personally, I would much more enjoy a meal in a place I am comfortable and able to afford to order whatever I want (that extra glass of wine or dessert) than a restaurant that you already feel like a "third-class citizen" before you're even in the door!

Thank you, all, for your opinions and advice. I think I've gotten beaten enough just for raising the question. :) So, no sharing of the prix-fixe menu.

Suggestions of good places to eat -- preferably something unique to French/Paris would be appreciated. Something I wouldn't be able to experience here in the U.S.

And preferably not ethnic places just because they're cheaper, as I probably can get them better in the States.

Thanks.

Three I enjoyed the last time I was in Paris (over a year now...sigh):

L'Oulette (Bercy area, I believe)--maybe out of your budget, they have a sister bisto in the Marais, cheaper. food's good.

La Repaire du Cartouche (Blvd. Filles de Calvaire). Also v. good.

my fave: L'Avant Gout (rue Bobillot in the 13th, take Metro to Place d'Italie, and walk about half a block down rue Bobillot)

You should reserve for all. They are all a bit out of the way, all reasonably priced.

Oh, we also liked Les Bouqinistes.

I've probably misspelled everything.

crepes from a sidewalk stand!

To Dave in Paris, I checked out La Madonnina as you rec. It was very good. The taxi driver had to look in the map as he was driving. The little hostess used to live in Boston and wanted to come back to USA. She was very gracious. Thanks.

I think sharing a meal, especially from a prix-fixe menu, is extremely tacky. You have to remember that a restaurant is a business, not a public soup kitchen. If you can't eat a big meal, order something managable from a cafe--an omlette, salad, sandwich. Is there someone holding a gun to your head, making you eat an entree in a restaurant?? How some of you manage to hold on to your jobs with your lack of common sense is a glorious mystery to me.

^^^