Hi all -- Have been reading your posts on Paris restaurants and greatly appreciate all of your insights. Here's my dilemma -- I will be in Paris for my 35th birthday in late November and want to have a special dinner out to celebrate. I can't afford more than $100 a person (would really prefer closer to $75 but what the heck). I tried in vain to score a reservation at L'Astrance, calling exactly one month to the day in advance at 10am Paris time (I'm in LA so it was laaaate for me), and they told me to call back in 2 weeks. Sure enough, when I called back, they were booked. So I'm left trying to figure out where to make a reservation. Was leaning towards Le Violin d'Ingres based on some guidebooks, but the reviews here have given me pause. I would LOVE some suggestions for where else I might go. Incidentally, I have ruled out going out for a special lunch at one of the haute cuisine restaurants instead of dinner because while I love to eat I also love to shop and sightsee and want to make the most of the daylight hours around town, as I'll only be in Paris for 4 brief days. I would love to find a French restaurant that feels a little special in terms of food, service, and decor, but don't need to have the most drop-dead Ducasse style experience at this point (I'll save that for my 40th!!!). I will be staying in the 7th, but will go anywhere in Paris proper -- not up for taking the RER to the suburbs. Thanks so much in advance for any ideas.
