Some Paris Dining Questions
 

We have decided (not on our own, mind you, but at the behest of my bro, who has been quite generous about our little three person jaunt to Paris) to have lunch at a fine dining establishment. I have not done this in Paris, and therefore have some questions.

We want Michelin stars (Yes, I will double check with the Red Guide, but want personal recs, too) and it doesn't matter how many, but the more the better, I guess. About 75 or 80 Euros, without wine, is as high as we will go for this lunch. Also, brother travels with a slick sport jacket but DH will have nice pants and shoes, and a nice sweater, but probably nothing more formal than perhaps a very nice cardigan.

Please don't criticize our clothes and tastes, but do, kindly, offer suggestions for fine dining at lunch with a less restrictive dress code and a price that won't make me sick.

Hi t,

If you could force DH to wear a jacket, just once, Taillevent has 70E lunch.

I think that that is the best place for the money.

Also check out Jules Verne. It's at the top of the Eiffel Tower and he won't have to wear a jacket.

I suggest that you not consider Le Tour d'Argent. It has been reduced to 1*, but still charges as if it were a 3*.

((I))

Oh, good info, Ira. I did have Tour d'Argent on my list, based on the review in TimeOut restaurant guide to Paris. Also, it was on the list because of my "dream" Tour d'Argent moment, late one evening when I saw the most gorgeous couple, dressed to the nines, and the young woman like a picture, come out of Td'A and get in to a limo. OOOOO, la la. I was gobsmacked at the very sight of them, and have no idea who they were.

It's not that DH wouldn't pack a jacket, it's that he doesn't have one. I think I threw out his last sport coat, and now he only has his dress suit. He wears that to weddings and funerals and the occasional bit of dress up we do. But I wouldn't make him drag his dress suit to Paris. He works in a setting, where, when he was hired, and asked about the dress code, they told him he had to wear clothes! I've seen people in there in what are basically house clothes. But that's an aside.

On Jules Verne, I'm not sure, based on the reviews I've read. The food descriptions don't send me reeling, which is what I am after.

Taillevent is also on the list. But I'd have to go out and find that darn sport coat, at a very broke and going to Paris time of year. But I might! And there are always vintage shops... he is tall and thin and looks good in vintage clothes, or at least he did when he last wore them, 20 years ago. Sigh...

Hi tuscan - I would second ira's comments about avoiding Tour d'Argent and also recommend Jules Verne at the Eiffel Tower. You will never forget the experience - be sure to reserve very far in advance (I recall this had to be done by phone).

Remember that food reviews are done by and for people who visit these type of establishments often and compare their experiences. I assure you that you will have an amazing meal in a stunning environment on one of the most famous structures in the world looking out over PARIS. It doesn't get any better than that.

I've eaten at both Taillevent and Jules Verne, and while I loved both, Taillevent was the more memorable of the two. It was just perfect in every way.

Could your husband just wear the jacket of his dress suit as a sportcoat?

Sorry I'm no help with great restaurants, but couldn't you pick up a sports coat 2nd-hand (like at Value Village) or somewhere if this is important to you? He could wear it on the plane ride over & you wouldn't even have to bring it home from the trip.

My vote is for Le Grand Vefour in the Palais Royal. It has 3 stars, and it is beautiful, evocative of a by-gone time. It was a favorite of Hugo, Cocteau, Malraux, Colette, to name a few.

Lunch there in 2002 was 72 euro; you can check online to see what it is now. Probably not significantly different, except for value of euro vs dollar! But you imply that brother is buying, so . . .

Every man had a jacket and tie on when we were there for lunch, but I don't know that it was necessarily mandatory.

Your trip sounds wonderful; I did see your itinerary on the ballet post. Such lovely things you are doing on this trip!

Granmere

I WISH he was buying. He bought one air fare for us, and is paying for a third of the apartment, although we are staying for a week and he will only be there for four nights.

Bro is the one who wants the haute cuisine. We love bistrots and brasseries (shell fish, onion soup and dessert are great, I think) and we have had great lost cost meals in Paris. Only had one not great meal, and that was long ago, when we found ourselves too far away from our reservation and punted. Oh, and punted using a Rick Steves rec. Not good.

Anyway, I think I must get the jacket, and I think I will definetly get him a vintage one, so we can not spend too much.

Thank you Sue, for your rec of LGV. I have it high on my list and your rec goes for with me. I am wondering what the heck I will wear? I am soooo un-chic... Oh, I just remembered my fab Chico's black outfit, but ugh, the pants show a lot of ankle and I will have to bring nice shoes. Sigh... this plan is killing my carry on only rule.

My head is spinning with choices, and it doesn't help that bro will be there Sat, Sun and Monday lunch, when many great places don't serve lunch.

Enough, I will sleep on it.

With your too short pants, you can wear ankle boots if you have them.
All the lovely brasseries serve lunch like Bofinger, petite bofinger, Chartier, and any of them in that category.

What about just renting a jacket?

I really must have been to Taillevent on an off night; I would not return.

High praise though for Jules Verne, and Le Grand Vefour. I'd also add Le Cinq and L'Espadon for your consideration.

We loved Le Grand Vefour! The interior is beautiful, the service is very good and the food - excelent. We had lunch there. The reservation is required. If your husband has not a jacket, when you entry in restaurant, they can give him one (they have some there, different sizes, and give him one to wear it during the lunch or dinner).

If you're talking about Michelin-starred restaurants, you'll definitely feel more comfortable wearing a jacket and ordering some wine. This appllies both lunch and dinner.

I don't think that we have ever established whether you and your family wants to eat in a fine (old venerable) dining establishment for the atmosphere, reputation, ambiance or eat a fine meal at a special meal. Both and neither may have Michelin stars.
If it is the former I would agree with W9London about the shirt and tie. If you are not really a foodie then choose a WOW place.

I think I recall seeing some men being given sports coats to wear at Le Grand Vefour a few years ago.

This is all very helpful

Cigalechanta: your post cracked me up. The only boots I have are LL Bean snow/weather boots. They are suede with rubber soles! Can you imagine? As I said, I am soooo unchic. Years ago, maybe, but I live an entirely different life this day, and all that shows on me is old hippy, slightly modified for comfort and cleanlieness. Here are my boots:
http://tinyurl.com/yyaepl
Tres chic, non? Mine are in Noir.

DH has agreed to where his jacket (that I must now buy him) on to the plane so that we can go carry on only, as I am afraid of winter connections, and we aren't in a hotel, so won't have any help with getting lost luggage.

It is looking like Le Grand Vefour. Have to check for lunch openings.

Robjame: We are giant (if you see me from behind) foodies. The quality, inventiveness and deliciousness of the food is paramount. None of us will probably drink wine at lunch. I don't drink any alcohol, DH has an occasional wine with dinner, and I notice that lately my bro has a beer or two with spicy food at dinner, but not lunch. And none of us is young. Any wine at lunch would put these guys to sleep for the rest of the day, in Paris yet.

I work sometimes as a private chef, and write about food and travel. I've written dozens of restaurant reviews, but never for a top top haute cuisine place.

So the food is most important to us.