I'm wondering if there are opinions about the following two Paris restaurants:

La Cordonerrie (Off Rue St.-Honore near Tuileries)

or

Fish La Boissonerie (St. Germain)

Both have stellar reviews on TA, and seem like they'd be a good fit for our (boyfriend and I) first meal in Paris. I've emailed both to see about reservations on a Friday in October, but if they both come back with a 'yes,' I'm not sure how I'll choose. Has anyone eaten at one or both who can offer an opinion either way?

I'm not really concerned budget-wise...we love restaurants and don't mind paying for great food and wine. We're both just into our 30's, and we will likely go out after for a night on the town.

Any advice is appreciated!

My husband and I have eaten at Fish on several trips to Paris. The food is terrific and it's in a great neighborhood with lots going on. Close to the river, where we like to walk and do some people-watching after dinner, before finding one of the many sidewalk cafes in the area to finish off the evening.

FISH has received quite a few commendations here.

La Cordonneries has free couscous on Thursdays and Saturdays. I checked some local french restaurant blogs, reviews were OK, price seems to be the draw.

Thanks to both of you! Fish is looking like the front runner right now, but I've yet to hear back from either (I just emailed them last night), so we'll see. I also liked the location of Fish. It seems like it's very close to this little cafe where I met a friend earlier this year. The waiters wear overalls, and it's red outside. I can't remember the name though!

I appreciate both of your input! Anyone else?

Le Bar du Marché-- that's the name of the café I couldn't remember

www.chezfrancis-restaurant.com

Their homepage picture made me ache for Paris...

Oh my gosh, why would you do that?! We don't leave until two months from today! You are soo right though. That video was awesome, and what a fantastic website!

Btw, I looked up the addresses of Fish and Le Bar du Marche, and one is 69 Rue du Seine and the other 75 Rue du Seine. Looks like we've figured out our Friday afternoon/evening!

Fish is a great choice, but you must call them, not e-mail. We've dined there several times and it's quite popular. They speak English.

Thank you Images2! I'm not sure I can call them before we leave, however, I have a friend in Toulouse, so perhaps he can phone them for me

Definitely Le Cordonnerie. We had dinner there last year and loved it. That included my 2 Paris friends who had not been there before and have been bck several times since.. It was recommended by a Danish friend. The rest of our group will be there in Oct and we have planned another dinner there. I've eaten at Fish a few times and it is good but it does not Wow me/

God I hope they have the choux fleur mousse soup again!

Well... perhaps we'll just have to do both! Lord knows we're not going to Paris for just one night. Does Le Cordonnerie serve lunch, do you know? Thank you for the rec btw!

Le Bar du Marche is just on the corner and Fish is about 3 doors down the street, within stumbling distance. You can start and finish in either direction....my vote is for Fish also, really good food at a very reasonable price, waiters seem to all speak english , don't know if that is a + or -

Fish is great. If you are staying in a hotel, have them make the reservations for you.

I do speak French, but that's great they speak English! I'm sure my boyfriend will appreciate that, the non-francophile that he is. I'm so glad they're close to each other, and I'm having a friend in France call for me. We're staying in an apartment so it's either this or wait until we get there. I'm not sure if they'll take a reservation two months in advance, but we will find out tomorrow when my friend lets me know.

While you are in paris check this out!! Bring your own bottle.


http://www.wineterroirs.com/2004/08/...wine_bars.html

Ummm, that is awesome-- thank you for the tip!