I read a recent article about the quintissential New York experience in terms of food. The author stated that a Martini at Bemelmen's Bar in The Carlyle, a foot-long hot dog at Serendipity, a tuna filet mignon at Union Square Cafe, and most of all the "le Louvre" dessert at Patisserie Payard were the quintissential New York food experiences. <BR> I will be travelling to Paris this spring and want what one would consider the quintissential Parisian experience in terms of food or other.<BR>

For me it would be a wine bar...<BR>Perhaps the quintessential one is the original L'Ecluse on quai Grand-Augustins [sp?] near Blvd. St. Michel & Notre Dame. Have a glass of Margaux and a small snack and look at the view.<BR><BR>Here are my previous comments on several of my favorite wine bars.<BR>------<BR>In the 7eme on Ave. Rapp is Sancerre -- very near the Eiffel Tower. It is a small, family run establishment. The wines are from Sancerre [known mostly for its flinty whites, but also making a nice red that goes well with cheese.] The menu is simple-- salads, omlettes, charcuterie... We drank a red Saumur and had a wonderful omlette that included potatoes. [Actually hubby and I split a frisee salad and the aforementioned omlette.]The decorations are very "rural." <BR><BR>At the other end of the spectrum are the various branches of L'Ecluse. There matters run to Margaux wine and carpaccio etc.. We first ate/drank at the branch near Champs Elysee, but now like the one on Quai Grands Augustins. It was the first and is a little less overwhelmingly posh. It is very near Notre Dame on the left bank. <BR><BR>The third I'll recommend is Au Sauvignon. It is on Rue St. Pere in the 6eme. They specialize in Beaujolais I think, but you can get other wines. You can only get various breads and cheese, but a little bread, a little goat cheese and a red Sanceere sitting outside on a sunny summer day? What's not to enjoy? It is a very small place and "madame" is very "comme il faut" -- just don't let her faze you. <BR><BR>Fourth: La Bistrot Nouvelle Marie -- again small, just behind the Pantheon [on Pl. Estrapade I think - I'll find addresses for all these in a bit] -- We had a bottle of Chinon [red] and a cheese plate with Polaine bread. It was not chichi -- and the guy at the bar was very cute about my terrible French and generally we felt at home. Again best in the summer when things spill out onto the sidewalk. <BR><BR>There are many other fine wine bars in Paris, both simple and chic -- this is just my idiosyncratic list. <BR><BR>

I have not got a thing to contribute to this terrific new thread. But I've just got to say that last night I watched the old black and white version of SABRINA with Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart (probably misspelled both names), and I was overcome by a desire to go to Paris right this very minute.

Bringing up for contributions!

In June, to sit outside at a table at Fouquet's, 99 av. Champs Elysees, and have a drink or two while watching all of Paris walk by. And then swearing you will never pay that much for drinks ever again. At least until your next visit to the City of Light.<BR> As for food, my pick would be the quintissential sandwich at Brasserie Flottes; the Croque Royale. And get a side order of Aligote, the best mashed potato dish ever( also available elsewhere). Bon Appetit!

One night after dinner my husband and I were walking from the Right Bank through the Tuilleries over the the pont to take us to our Left Bank hotel..the moon was full, the Louvre was to our left, the Eiffel Tower was to the right and there was that moon over Paris, and we just stood there and tried to imprint it on our memories to last forever!<BR>Sitting at the Cafe Deux Magots and while "he" sips his vin rouge, I have my chocolate chaud...and watch the crowds scurry home from work, off to a date, strolling along with the dog, stopping for a kiss, Aahhh Paris~

I don't know if it is quintissential, but one of my most pleasent memories is of eating lunch outside at a bistro on the Place Dauphine on the Ile de la Cit&eacute;. Since the city workers were also on their lunch break, we enjoyed our wonderful meal while watching the men play a game of boules on the place. It was one of those "you know you're in Paris when..." experiences.

This one is just too good to let slip away. To the top please.

Breakfast at Le Flore en L'Ile, lunch at Chartier, tea at Mariage Freres, dinner at Au Pressoir and jazz with a nightcap at Lionel Hamptons.

For us, on a tight budget during our first visit to Paris last year, it's the inexpensive street food that we'll always remember:<BR><BR>Crepes -- especially filled with Nutella or bananas and chocolate.<BR><BR>Panini, hot off the griddle.<BR><BR>Pain au chocolate, still warm from the boulangerie, eaten first thing in the morning while walking through the streets.<BR><BR>

One more!-there are, to me, many quintessential experiences in Paris~<BR>a cold windy night,hurrying across the Pont Neuf, my husband says wait!and we stop and look at Paris from the middle of the bridge, wow, and then he kissed me

Regardless of how I spend the day in Paris, it is nice to end it with a late night cafe au lait, hot chocolate or pastis at Caf&eacute; de Flore on Blvd St-Germain.

* a delicious dinner at a teeny bistro off the place marche du catherine<BR> * the process of selecting bulk teas at mariage frere<BR> * journal writing at an obscure cafe, watching paris pass by.......<BR> * strolling, strolling, strolling, through one arrondisement to the next...<BR>

for me, dining at Train Bleu at the gare de Lyon, Not only is it one of the most beautiful restaurants in Paris but the thrill for me seeing the trains, smoke and all from the window is like a scene in anna karanina(Sp?)If you have seen the french film, Femme Nikita, she shoots the chineese guy in the same seat I once sat in. The waiters there are amazing, juggling plates. Next would be the Bois, taking the boat to the little restaurant right in the middle of that beautiful endless park.

Topping for those longing to be in Paris

Jim, nice to hear of another aligote fan. It's my favorite thing. Had it at Ambassade de Auvergne, then at an itty bitty place in the 5th or 6th called I think, La Lozere, and most recently at a corner bistro near the Pere Le Chaise (sp?) cemetary, something L'Amour. I've tried to make it unsuccessfully and tried to find it in the states just as unsuccessfully. I'm anxious to try the place you suggest. Where is it and tell me more about your Croque Royale, what separates it from the Monsieur and the Madame? <BR><BR>Other quintessential Paris food experiences are any of the really fun street or roving markets--Rue Cler, Rue Montegruil, Place Maubert, Barbes, Pres. Wilson--and of course, a meal at a 3 star restaurant--Pierre Gagnaire, L'Ambrosie.

Hot chocolate and/or pastry at<BR>Angelina's and/or Laduree.<BR>Any night view of the Eiffel Tower.<BR>Dinner at Balzar.<BR>A walk through the Tuileries.<BR>Any time spent in the Louvre.<BR><BR>I have to question the list that was provided for New York City.<BR>I would make an entirely different list, including a corned beef or pastrami sandwich at the Carnegie Deli or 2nd Avenue Deli, and a steak at Peter Luger's. And at Serendepity, the unforgettable thing to order imo is a "frozen hot chocolate." Union Square Cafe is very good, but their tuna filet mignon just wouldn't be on my "can't miss" list, at least not in the top five.<BR><BR>

On a recent trip I saw the Paris Opera & Ballet at the Palais Garnier. Seeing Parisians dressed in their finest in this beautiful 'palace' was a wonderful experience (and the production was quite good, also). <BR>

The terminus tuna sandwich on bagette with tomato, onion and home made mayo and une pichet de vin blanc,at the bar of the same name (Bar Terminus)alongside the Musee D'Orsay. On the side street on the left as you face the musee. As French as you get.

Elaine, what is the frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity?