Just two more,Le Grand Colbert, which
was featured in the Nicholson/Keaton
movie Something's Gotta Give, but we
always go these when we're in Paris
anyhow, true Parisian Belle Epoche
feeling and La Coupoule on Montparnasse
which was a literary hangout for ex-pats in the 20s, but French flock there no,good food,decent prices, and great
people gawking as the French flock there
now. Great sit-outside places for a
drink, a nibble or just to feel like a
soigne' Parisian all along Montparnasse.
By all means go up to Montmartre, the
foods good and reasonable, but it is a
bit like a theme park, and you'll feel
more like an habitue' on Montparnasse.
Meggity
(PS, do learn some polite phrases, a littleand a smile goes a long way to cushion your reception. especially in France, most especially in Paris!)

mboubel - I've always thought a friendly smile never hurt but not according to the book I am reading at the moment called "Almost French" by Sarah Turnbull( I've loved every page!). This is what she says on dining out:
"The French are not impressed by anything as banal as niceness. Smile sweetly at a waiter as you sit down and chances are you will be treated with contempt. On the other hand, an air of assured superiority - preferably enchanced by a smart suit-will usually be rewarded with professional deference and prompt service".
Well, most of us won't be dining in smart suits but I do intentionaly dress "smart-casual" all the time so I might be halfway there. Now all I've got to do is lift my chin a little as I sweep through the door!

Sorry to hear about St.Cirq's experience with Bistro de Breteuil. Are we talking about the same place (she wrote BretHeuil ;-) ) ? I have never thought this restaurant takes tour groups. At least a few times I was there, there were none. As her negative experience is basically due to a tour group there was, I think it does not happen often. Any others who saw tour groups there? When I dined there I always had pleasant time, food adequate, service good, esp.this summer, the girl who served me was very smiling (yes, they smile too, Tod !) and nice and of course that gave me a even better impression. Also although I was alone, they let me drink all the full bottle (1 bottle included in the menu per 2 persons) without additional charge. I admit food was adequate, not great but when you can have all starting with a glass of kir royal and olives to nibble for E30(?), that's really a great value in Paris, isn't it?

All above being said, there are so many great restaurants all over Paris, you don't have to go there if it's out of you way.

tuscanlifeedit...

yes, astier is on the small side albeit with an upper dining area where we always ask to be seated (so i don't remember about the kitchen).

the menu is prix fixe and the wine menu is encyclopedic. but what one would probably remember most are the enormous cheese trays that are passed after the meal.

Do yourselves a favour and check out the patisserie-boulangerie that is situated on the corner of Rue de Malte and Boulevard Voltaire. It's absolutely fabulous - good for breads, croissants, sandwiches and cakes. The young lady who works there is lovely.
Also, the market on Boulevard Richard Lenoir takes place every Tuesday and Friday morning. It's very enjoyable to wander and buy some good produce and probably many other things. It's also close to the Canal St. Martin, which is a good place for strolling.
There's another market, and bigger, the Bastille market, which also takes place on Boulevard Richard Lenoir but much closer to Bastille (from the République end, I think it starts next to Breguet-Sabin Métro station), every Sunday and (I think) Thursday.

The Tuesday and Friday market is called the Popincourt, Metro stop Oberkampf. The Thus and Sunday market is called the Richard Lenoir,, metro either Bastille or Brequet-Sabin.

please see my short trip report. I think the 2 best were Relais Gascon (full of locals) and Le Marine.