Thanks, everyone. This is giving me some great ideas. Keep them coming!

Any hints for getting along well in these places with fairly limited French? This will be my first time there where I'll be the main speaker/translator. I have to rely on four years of high school French, taken 30 (gulp!)odd years ago. We're saving Paris for the last part of our trip, (after a week and a half with friends down in Var)because the longer I'm there the more I remember. I can usually decipher about half of a menu and make pretty good guesses at most of the rest. I've found that if I start out in French, as politely as possible, people have always been very helpful. They're either very patient with my attempts and their explanations or they switch to English. I'm imagining that this would be the case in most of these restaurants?

I really appreciate all the help!

I've been to Taillevant, for dinner, and while it was a very special experience, I'd probably choose to spend my money differently the next time - and my hubby and I are big foodies.

I couldn't tell from the Taillevent website, but I'm not sure whether you'll have many choices, or none, as part of the 70E menu. Consider whether you'd rather eat at a less exalted place, where your budget fits in at the mid-range of the restaurant's offerings, over getting the cheapest menu on offer.

I haven't been to Paris for several years, so I'm not familiar with the latest fine restaurants, particularly those with one or more Michelin stars. Look into Michelin one-star restaurants; you may decide one will provide the special experience you're looking for without being on the edge of your price range.

What we have found with all the Michelin-rated restaurants (particularly in Paris) is beautiful surroundings, immpecably-mannered waitstaff, and food that's fantastic. The waitstaff, invariably, is helpful, speaks fluent English, and has not been stuffy, and service has been smooth and gracious. One difference we noticed in the 3-star category is greater use of very expensive ingredients, such as truffles; I don't know that I noticed a difference in the quality of the dishes that were served. Bottom line, you can have an incomparable dining experience without going to a Michelin three-star restaurant.

Hi W,

>Any hints for getting along well in these places with fairly limited French? <

Smile. Say "Bonjour" or "Bon Soir", as appropriate, "SVP" and "merci" when necessary.

The staff will speak English.

((I))

Lexma90- Thanks for your response - you've pinpointed more exactly the vague misgivings I've had about splurging at Taillevant.

So.. it sounds like what we'd be most interested in would be a tasting menu (thank you for the term, StCirq) for lunch at a one-two star restaurant, where the total bill, with wine, (do they usually do wine by the glass with tasting menus?)would be around 100E - 120E. Is this doable? Which of the above suggestions, or what other suggestions would fit this?

Ira, could you tell me a bit more about the Sunday Brunch option at Jacquemart-Andre'? I'm not a big buffet fan, but something tells me they might do it differently in Paris! :)

Thanks, everyone! You're really helping me narrow done our options to something workable!

Wren2, may I suggest the Marais, specifically restaurant Baracane-Bistrot De L'Oulette, at 38, rue des Tournelles (4eme) ... food of SW France. Reserve perhaps: 01-42-71-43-33. On the egde of Marais, an easy and interesteing walk from the 5th or 6th, or Louvre, etc. on Right Bank. Not open Sunday. Enjoy!!!

For a special lunch I would bring him to Le Train Bleu in la Gare de Lyon, there is a menu Réjane at only 43euros. Bon appétit.