We will be in Paris for 21 days at the end of Feb. I have been working on a list of restaurants. We enjoy dining and are interested in experiencing a wide variety. In some of our past trips to Paris we have enjoyed eating at Benoit, Les Bookinistes, Le Florimond, Hiramatsu, Tallievent, Cafe Jacquemart-Andre, Violon d'Ingres, Bofinger.
For this trip I am looking at: L'Affriol, Ze Kitchen Gallerie, L'Epi Dupin, Le Regalade, LePetit Marguery, Le Petit Troquet, LaFontaine d'Mars, Willies Wine Bar, Chez Maitre Paul.
For our splurge evening I am looking at Guy Savoy, L'Astrance, La Tour D'Argent, or Pierre Gagnaire.
Any comments or new ideas are certainly appreciated.
Thank you
1jan1

I would consider looking at Le Grand Vefour for a splurge evening. Beautiful 3 star with Belle Epoque setting in Palais Royal.

Also, for an bistro that has stood the test of time, I recommend Allard, rue St. Andre les Arts, in the 6th. Prix fixe around 35-40 euro, as I remember it from last winter.

Also, if you've never been, Le Train Bleu in the Gare de Lyon, for another beautiful restaurant that evokes the turn of the century. Little more expensive than Allard, but not a splurge.

Wow. It's a nice list, and I can't claim first-hand experience with these.

But have done some research on R and on Flora. Look these up and see what you think.

Also, a little research on Maison Blanche. The setting is supposedly spectacular, perhaps much more so than the food. It doesn't come up here at all.

La (Le?) Regalade has recently changed hands; have we heard anything from anyone who's been there since this occurred?

Based on the restaurants you have enjoyed in the past, I expect you would enjoy Ze Kitchen Gallerie, La Fontaine de Mars (so welcoming and always delicious), Willi's, Le Regalade, Affriole (funky but with delicious food) and L'Epi Dupin (my favorite for a wonderful meal and a great dessert), always). L'Astrance is wonderful and we also recommend L'Avant Gout. All in all, you have a fabulous list with not one restaurant I wouldn't love to visit.

L'Epi Dupin, - make reservations as far ahead as possible. Crowded but we loved it!
Le Petit Marguery - good good good! (we are usually in Paris in the fall, the mushrooms(cepes) are prepared in wonderful ways!
Willies Wine Bar, nice.
Chez Maitre Paul - we will be there in March..such good reviews!
Ze Kitchen Gallerie we plan to go to also, I will look for <i>your</i> review
If we can get reservations, we are hoping to go to L'Astrance, it sounds wonderful.
Be sure to post back here when you return with reviews~

2 new places on my list for next month are Fables de la Fontaine ( Christian Constant's new fish place)and Mon Vieil Ami , which has been getting very good reviews. An old favorite is FISH on Rue de Seine. We enjoyed Ze Kitchen Galerie but still enjoy Le Bookinistres, even with the new chef.

I've read some recent reviews on chowhound and egullet, regarding Le Regalade, and they were not that complimentary since it has changed hands/

My wife and I were there in October and did a few that you mention. I would suggest two that we enjoyed:
1) le Relais de l'Entrecote- 20, rue Saint-Benoit- Steak and Fries - as much as you wish. (01 45 49 16 00)
2) Claude Sainlouis- Bar &amp; Restaurant Des Presidents -Cuisine Bourgeoise- 27, rue du Dragon. (01 45 48 29 68)
Both are in the 6th right off Blva St Germaine.

http://www.luvtotravel.homestead.com/francerest.html This is my list of restaurants through my travels. My favorites are: L'Epi Dupin, Cremerie Restaurant Polidor, Le Bistro de Breteuil, and Chez Maitre Paul.

Hmmm, I need to plan a trip to Paris!

Monica

jody, monica

for this coming trip I have reservations at Fables de la Fontaine and at Bistro de Breteuil,among others,and I will report back

I agree that based on a past visit, le Grand Vefour is one of the perfect restaurants in the world.

Thank you for your wonderful responses. Your comments are certainly helping me refine my list. (As you know this is NOT easy. So many great choices.)
Has anyone heard about cooking classes at Ze Kitchen? Been to a class? Any comments?
Thank you
1jan1

1jan1,
we have eaten at all of the above except Benoit, Hiramatsu, and Tour d'Argent, and would not hesitate to return to any of them. Your research has been very good. You may want to add Mon Vieil Ami to your list.

Message: 4 very good restaurants inthe 8th and 16th arr.:
1.Le Cafe Faubourg -very chic &amp; upscale restaurant inspired by Alain Dutournier - starter at 15euros main plat at 30 euros dessert at 10 euros plus wine, 15, rue boissy d'anglas, place concorde , Hotel Sofitel Le Faubourg, www.sofitel.com
2.La Salle a Manger -roccoco style restaurant with nice ambiance &amp; service- menu at 60 euros 17, ave kleber, Hotel Raphael , metro Kleber , www.raphael-hotel.com
3.Man Ray - a hot spot in Paris, a very good restaurant housed in an old cinema -menu at 50 euros-, 34 rue marbeuf, www.manray.fr
4. Le fouquet's - a legendary restaurant in the Champs-Elysees with good cuisine and pastries- 48 ave george V www.lucienbarriere.com

Please find time for:

Le Cameleon
6 Rue de Chevreuse
Paris 6, France
43-20-63-43

My absolute favorite. Dinner for 2 w/ apertif, 3 courses, wine, coffee and tip well under 100E.

FWIW,
Patricia Wells also rates it as her favortite small restaurant in the world.

ttt

I would stongly suggest Le Grand Vefour. As a &quot;foodie&quot; that lives in New York and travels a great deal, it was one of the best meals we have ever eaten - fantastic and classic &quot;old world&quot; service, wonderful chefs tasting menu and great wine list. We even got to sit at Napoleon &amp; Josephine's table. Not cheap - tasting menu, two wines - about 700E for two - but unforgettable.