Weekend in Paris-Best Restaurant
 

Will be in Paris for a weekend in April. What restaurant would you suggest. First, if money is no object, second, a place that that is more affordable.

Hi Glenn, what a pleasant question to answer! <BR> <BR>If money is no object I suggest: <BR>La Tour d'Argent for lunch. The food is not top notch, but the service is and with luck you'll be near the picture window that overlooks Notre Dame. <BR> <BR>Also for lunch, Cafe Marly, right at the Louvre. Food is only so-so, but they get a great crowd, prices are moderate, and you'll feel very chic. <BR> <BR>For dinner, I think the best are: <BR>L'Ambrosie on Place des Voges. Gorgeous,tiny restaurant, hard to get a reservation. Decor is lavish with flowers, food is wonderful, menu limited, some dishes are a little unusual/adventurous (sea creatures I'd never heard of, etc.) <BR> <BR>For a classic French haute cuisine perfect dinner, either Le Grand Vefour which is beautiful and could not possibly be better, or Lucas-Carton which is a little "clubbier" in decor but which also has outstanding food and service. <BR> <BR>My last expensive suggestion is <BR>Jules Verne in the Eiffel Tower. It is not a tourist trap, surprisingly. The food is excellent, and the setting of course could not be more Parisian or memorable. <BR> <BR>I'm not sure what you mean by more affordable, but I'll guess at no more than $60 per person with a glass of wine or two. In a much lower price range, do consult Gustafson's "Cheap Eats in Paris" which is absolutely reliable. For the $60pp or less, I suggest,if it's still there, Chez Julien <BR>(not the same as Julien), 62 rue de <BR>l'Hotel de Ville,phone 42 78 31 34. <BR>I was last there 3 years ago. Excellent food, homey decor, overlooks the Seine. <BR>I also liked Rotisserie d'en Face, 2 rue <BR>Christine. Very popular. Lots of simple grilled or roasted food,including a great classic roast chicken. Popular with Americans early in the evening, more French later on. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps. If you have questions on other places, post again. <BR>elaine <BR> <BR>

If you haven't checked it out yet, the Wine Spectator did a profile of the three star restaurants in Paris. It's on their Web site, I believe: www.winespectator.com

Glenn, <BR>Although I haven't sampled these places myself, an avid foodie gave me these recommendations: <BR> <BR>La Timonerie (near Tour D'Argent) <BR>and <BR>Le Relais Louis XIII <BR> <BR>I would trust his advice, and plan on eating at one or both the next time I'm in Paris. <BR>

I back elaine's suggestion of L'Ambroisie at 9 Place des Vosges. It is one of only 5 3 star restaurants in Paris. According to Eyewitness Guide they only accept reservations exctly one month ahead (not a day before or after) the tel: 011 331 42 78 51 45. <BR> <BR>I ate there years ago and that wasn't the case then, but it may be now. <BR> <BR>Also, a really nice little restaurant I tried last winter was called L'Hanger. (I think it was L' but maybe La Hanger, but that seems weird). I don't seem to have the address, but I think it was in a funny impasse called impasse du Boeufs in the 4th or maybe the one called Rue P. au Land. Anyway, it is ver near the Georges Pompidou-you can llok it up on the minitel. It is reasonable, mostly filled with French people despite the high tourist area appeal. <BR> <BR>Also for lunch you may like La Ferme Saint Hubert. It is at 21 rue Vignon around the corner from Fauchon's. tel: 011 331 47 42 79 20. They specialize in cheese and have some very interesting dishes with cheeses <BR> <BR>have a great trip!

Hi Glenn, I had 2 nice ca. $35 lunches in Paris last summer at Ma Bourgogne in the Place de Vosges (in April you should be able to eat outside in the arcade and enjoy the square before the trees obscure the buildings) and Les Bookinistes. LB is owned by Guy Savoy, who runs an eponymous 2 star restaurant, and like other celebrity chefs he operates this and other bistros as well as the big name restaurant. LB gives you a sense of haute cuisine without the huge prices. Have fun, Joe

Chez Clement on Champ Elysees. We were there in Oct very good and not super expensive. Also there are a lot of good restaurants in the Latin Quarter. Greek, seafood, italian. they are all very reasonable prices. Some have price fix menu salad/entree/dessert for maybe 10- 15.00 USD per person

For a great view of Notre Dame (ramparts end) the Montebello on the left bank on a quai due east of Boul'Mich; it has an outside dining area (the best view). Due WEST of Boul' Mich a couple of blocks is Cafe Seine; small, reasonably priced, nobody speaks English but they are REALLY nice, paintings on the wall for sale. They give you a little glass of sparkly wine "complimentary"; very pretty decor. View of Notre Dame from the facade; the bateaux mouches light up the quai as they go by. Oh and there's a crepe place on Rue Princesse (sorry I can't remember the name) in the 7th with excellent food (crowded, noisy, bcbg crowd, not a tourist in sight!).