Travelling to Paris this summer and would like to try some nice restaurants. What's your top pick for something nice (not too stuffy though) as well as something casual? How do you suggest I go about getting reservations? I've heard that some book up weeks-months in advance.<BR><BR>Merci

Very casual-Le Petit Benoit-rue Benoit off of Blvd St Germain.<BR>My list:<BR>L'Epi Dupin,11 rue Dupin<BR>D'Chex Eux 1 ave de Lowendale<BR>Thomieux rue St Dominique<BR>Allard 41 rue St Andres des Artes<BR>lunches/tea<BR>Cafe Marly - Louvre<BR>Angelina<BR>Laduree-<BR>Cafes<BR>Cafe Beaubourg-Place des Vosges<BR>La Coupole<BR>Cafe Deux Magots<BR>Les Bookinistes quai des Grandes Augustines <BR>You can have your hotel make the reservations for you.L'Epi Dupin books up about 2 weeks in advance.<BR>Have a wonderful time,Candice<BR>

Le petite Chaise off of St Germaine. Supposedly the oldest restaurant in Paris (est. 1604). Talk about the Parisian touch, and not a lot of money. Sniff sniff, wish I was back there.

Le Grande Cafe at 4 boulevard des Capucines near Opera Garnier--01 43 12 19 00--www.legrandecafe.com (I couldn't get the page, but who knows). Stained glass decor, wonderful food, moderately priced. Enjoy.

My list almost matched cdf"s but add Rotisserie d'un face , across from Relais christine

If you'd like my list of Paris restaurants (all nice but not stuffy, and casual), e-mail me and I'll send it to you. List has been gathered over 40+ trips to Paris in the past 10-12 years.<BR><BR>For a "nice" Paris retaurant that's "not too stuffy," you might need to reserve a few days in advance. For more casual ones, stopping by mid-day to reserve for dinner, or calling the night before should do it.

I'm doing a "splurge lunch" at Le Grand Vefour in about 3 wks and hoping I won't be disappointed! I got reservations online directly thru the restaurant.<BR>I also plan to go to Auberge de la Reine Blanche, a cute little inexpensive place on Ile St. Louis; haven't been there in years, but remember it as being casual with good, homey food. We'll see.

LeGrand Vefour is a wonderful splurge; <BR>also try Benoit - a 1 star, not too fussy, very lively restaurant - must reserve in advance.<BR>Also Pharamond - gorgeous, great food, not too fussy<BR>enjoy

All the places at which my daughter and I had dinner on our trip to Paris last month were in the Latin Quarter and very nice, although fairly casual. All priced between about twenty and thirty-five euros for dinner, not including wine. We reserved each one by calling earlier that afternoon.<BR><BR>Bistrot des Cigales, 12, rue Thouin<BR><BR>La Maree Verte, 9, rue de Pontoise<BR><BR>Le Reminet, 3, rue des Grands-Degres<BR><BR>Quai V (I think. It used to be Campagne et Provence but recently changed its name), 25, Quai de la Tournelle<BR>

Hello Miles, may I suggest a favorite of mine. The name is Le Bellecour 22 rue Surcouf, Metro: Invalides, Telephone: 01-45-51-46-93. I have eaten there twice for dinner (I do not know if they are open for lunch so call). The cuisine is Lyonnaise (sp?)<BR>The restaurant is very cozy. It feels if you are eating in a rather large living room. Most of the patrons are elegant and speak in hush tones which makes for a relaxing experience. Everything about dining there was wonderful. It is the perfect (in my opinion for what it's worth!)<BR>It is a little pricey so if you decide you do want to splurge but do not want to pay $$$$$ at places such as Taillevent etc.. then check this place out. I hope you have a wonderful time in Paris. If you don't go to Le Bellecour then definitely go someday!

One where they grill french people

For the big buck's Taillevant! Oh my! I will never forget that food!I made reservations from their web site about 30 days in advance. I will see if I can find my old post which has my notes on the menu and the service and top it for you.<BR><BR>For more normal dining I love Chez Maitre Paul. We called when we got into town and made reservations.

Bouillon Racine<BR>3, rue Racine<BR>75006 Paris<BR>Tel: 01 44 32 15 60<BR>off of Blvd Saint Michel not to far from Blvd Saint Germain intersection<BR><BR>Incredible decor and very nice food, not a tourist place. We saw it walking during the day and went back that night, it was crowded but we were able to get a table. If you're in the Latin Quarter, do give it a try.

I like Chez Toutoune @ 5 Rue De Pontoise, in the 6th....I've been there both before and after a recent renovation, and I like the fact that its a very "local" restaurant. The food is very good, and not at all stuffy. I have taken friends from the States there, and they had a great time....Enjoy your trip!!

Le Christine : 1 Rue Christine, beside the hotel, Relais le Christine, Metro deon, was our choice last year. Beautiful french country, cosy decor. Food is yummy and good value but not cheap. $100 for 2. Wasn't the easiest street to find because it's only 2 blocks long but we thought it was worth the effort.

Vaudeville opposite La Bourse. A perfect French Bistro, where the steak/frites are always perfect. A great wine list too. I never miss it when I'm in Paris.

actually one of my favorite Parisian restaurants, didn't see it on any list, is Le Dome...108 Blvd. Montparnasse....seafood platters are fantastic, good service, little bit pricey, but good food and people-watching.<BR>

L'epi Dupin - hands down. eat whats on the board. Recommened by Bon Apetite. Le Dome- treated us like tourists. Would not return. Also fabulous- Le Voltaire - an experience as well as a fabulous meal - not too expensive. Chez Catherine very popular as well. See BonApetit, April 2001 issue - all the restaurants in Paris, from very expensive to corner cafes.

We found Les Bookinistes to be full of American tourists, tables truly on top of each other and service very rushed and the whole place very hectic and noisy and inferior food to the night before, at Le Pamphlet, on a quiet street (same as hotel Caron de Beaumarchais, off Rue de rivoli in Marais distrist, can't think of rue name right now, sorry), excellent, relaxed, quiet and not too pricey.

We really enjoyed Le Dome also. We didn't feel like they treated us like tourists. I was quite surprised at how good the service , definitely not the usual Parisien attitude towards foreigners. Planning to go back for another scumptious meal this summer.If you happened to be in that area, don't miss all the creperies which line 2 streets off the Blvd. Montparnasse ;I think one street is called Rue Montparnasse, the other is just right next to it.