FRC: Need restaurant recommendation in Paris (I'm in deep do-do)

T

tess

Well-known member
OK - I convinced my husband to go to Paris in May. His only request was to have dinner in the Eiffel Tower - the Jules Verne restaurant. So - yesterday I faxed a reservation request - and it was returned with they're booked solid until the end of June. Oops. Ok - I should have booked earlier. I'm going to try the other restaurant in the tower. But, in case that doesn't pan out - I need a recommendation. The whole reason for dinner at the tower was it was the eiffel tower, it had a view, we like to dress up, he thought it would be kinda romantic - even though my brother is coming with us.

So - any recommendations for something equivalent?

Thanks,

Tess

 
Try for lunch and make the call directly, timed in the

afternoon. They will answer and speak English. They will ask you for your hotel name and will call to confirm the reservation the day before. Lunch may be more enjoyable because you can really 'see" the view.
Alternatively, it that doesn't work, look on the Reserve The Best site and see if they can get you a reservation.
AND if all else fails, when you get to Paris, call and see if they have had a cancellation.
An alternative for a great dinner is Le Taillevent for lunch. There are many beautiful rooms, admittedly without a view but wonderful.
There is also a restaurant with a view in the Pompidou Center but have heard that the food isn't so special--maybe called George. And probably at the top of the Montparnasse Tower. The good part of eating there is you don't have to look at it.
If you want any neighborhood restaurants with great food at reasonable prices I have a nice list.

 
What excellent suggestions Gretchen.

You seem to have a lot of knowledge about Paris, did you live there? We'll be in Paris in May, and while we're staying in the home of locals who will have many suggestions, I was just wondering if you had any suggestions for superlative, not-to-be-missed, little out of the way places off the main drag that you look forward returning to. Those are the kinds of places I truly enjoy. I know lots of those places in Austria, but since I don't venture into France that often, I would appreciate any insider info.

 
My parents lived there in the 20's.We've just gone a lot in the

last number of years.
Our new "find" is Auberge du Jarente on rue Jarente in the Marais. FABulous cassoulet and magret for pennies.
Acrosss the street from it is another good one that I can't spell.
Also Au Piano Muet on rue Moufettard for raclette and meat grilled on the table. Great chicken liver salad
Our favorite restaurant is Le Florimond on Av. Lamotte Picquet (Metro Ecole Miitaire).
Also Fontaine de Mars--classic bistro. Great foie gras and cassoulet.Corner of Ste. dominique and rue de l'Exposition.
Bistrot du 7eme--59 Blvd. Latour Mauborg--cheap cheap
Les Olivades-Provencal 41 Av. Segur
Au Pied du Cochon--onion soup 24/7
Mussels--restaurants across from Gare du Nord--Maison Blanche

 
Richard and Tess, in addition to Le Vaudeville (in the Bourse) which I've mentioned,

there's Chez Julien (owned by the same people, between Republic and Opera areas). Both are old-time brasseries with superb food and a local crowd.

I don't know the name, but just as you cross the bridge from Ile de la Cite onto Ile Saint-Louis, there's a cafe to the left that serves wonderful choucroute and cassoulet, both of which are getting harder to find.

In the Saint-Germain area there are a lot of famous cafes, but the less famous Le Petit Zinc has wonderful food and a great terrace. Just politely refuse to sit inside! Next to the famous Brasserie Lipp, which I've heard is a bit snooty, is a little dive called Tavern Saint-Germain. The food is good and reasonable and the people-watching is fun. They do kareoki in the basement in the evenings which you can't hear on the ground floor, but the young crowd coming and going is fun to watch.

Don't miss the Luxemburg Gardens--the nicest park in Paris, I think. There's an adorable outdoor cafe there that's a nice stop for a drink or a snack.

Be sure not to miss the Au Bon Marche epicerie, an entire ground floor of the department store devoted to food. Plan to shop there for a picnic. It's between Saint-Germain and the Orsay, and sure to be listed in the guide books

NFR tip: Buy a museum pass. Not only does it pay for itself in 2-3 museums but you get to skip the lines and enter at the group entrance. With DaVinci Code mania in full swing you'll save many hours!

I never would have thought to eat at the top of the Montparnasse Tower. That thing is so ugly it would be worth it not to look at it. Great idea, Gretchen!

 
Oh, and the Samaritan department store (on the right bank next to the Pont Neuf)

has one of the best rooftop views in Paris. There is/was a restaurant on the top floor but it's been closed for awhile. (Sarah Jessica Parker got stood up there by Barishnikov in the final episode of SATC.) If you see it's re-opened it's worth checking out.

 
Sad to say, it is closed and I think may never re-open.

Galeries Lafayette has a rooftop area for eating also. We were there in October and it wasn't open for eating but was for the view. Very good.

For Kitchen shopping Delherrin and A.Simon are fun, but prices are pretty high for all shopping, especially with the Euro's height now.

 
Joe, I agree on Lipp. I found it truly uninspiring. I think it's one of those spots that gets

listed in guide books and as a result, becomes only for tourists. Another 'can miss'.

 
We have never gone to any of the "name" bistros like that

except Balzar because I was doing a book report on Adam Gopnik's Paris to the MOon.

 
So sad to hear Samaritan closed, I was so looking forward to going back there : (

I just love those European department store food halls and restaurants. The food halls and roof top restaurant at the Kaufhaus in Munich (sw corner of the Marienplatz) is another wonderful place to visit.

 
Marg, I'm interested too!!!

I always do kitchen/supply shopping on European trips. Something I always do is go to the large grocery stores in the department stores to get supplies that are hard to find or have to be special ordered. I take an empty suitcase with me to fill up with all my booty. LOL

 
I don't think places like Lipp, Cafe de la Paix, etc. have exactly "peaked".

I think they are famous for their pasts. I just choose not to to to them. I like La Coupole and want to go to Bofinger next trip--the non-smoking room is purported to be the most beautiful. So many of the restaurants and cafes/bistros have so much history.

 
They definitely have not peaked. I think we all have differing expectations. Mine just cannot be

met at Lipp. It is the kind of place I have always stayed away from as it was seen as trendy by N. Americans. I wanted to do it once to feel that I was being open-minded.

Cafe de la Paix is a completely different story. It has been around for over 100 years and it ain't going anywhere. In 2003 the Grand was completely renovated and although the Cafe is not what it once was for people viewing, because of the way it is laid out now, it is still a major spot for watching the world. The food is not as good, in my opinion, but I have not had a better mille-feuille anywhere. Still. And I will return, if only for that. I was there first in 1967 and return on each visit to Paris.

Our favourite means of finding a new casual restaurant is to just pull open the entrance door and take a whiff. Driving along the small country roads of France, this is what we do. We have made some phenomenal discoveries this way. Hmmm time for a trip.

 
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