Carlsbad

I think Bocuse will die or retire with three stars. It was as memorable when we went there in 1989, and the menu is almost exactly the same as it was then. It was about tradition then and obviously still is. My wife refuses to return because it might ruin the memory of one of the best meals we've had. I really enjoyed my meal at Aux Lyonnais, nothwithstanding some difficulty with the people we were with. However, in my opinion, if it should have a star, there are a number of worthy other bistros that should, also. Maybe the Ducasse connection will cause it to happen, but then don't you have to also give one to Mon Vieil Ami?

I was trying to avoid saying anything on this thread, but the wine has taken effect... I have to admit, I really don't get the point of the article. I came of age food-wise in San Francisco in the late '60's and early '70's. The more I travel and as the years pass, the more I think it's a great restaurant city. It always has been. The history is deep. The diversity is great. It goes back to the Gold Rush days. I have to confess I love Chez Panisse more now than ever. When I travel to Italy and find the little place that has fresh food simply presented, it is a joy, and I usually think back to my first meals at Chez Panisse. I also appreciate the good and great restaurants of Paris and the rest of France, but they are very different. San francisco may not have Taillevent or Le Bristol, but there are some pretty good places. The idea that somehow Alice Waters has stifled creativity in the cuisine of the Bay Area is hard for me to take seriously. What innovation is lacking? It's true there aren't any place that have total darkness while you eat and they might be a little light on the foams. However, they did ruin the lobby of the St. Francis for "innovation". It's hard to deny that the Bay Area is one of the best places on earth to eat. Perhaps Mr. Patterson should venture to the San Diego area, or even to Los Angeles. In San Francisco, you have places like La Folie, Danko, Fleur d'Ly (sorry doubters, it is a really good), and Acquerello (where else do you get a romantic jewel-box with terrific food and an incredible wine list that comes with someone who knows it so well). Most U.S. cities would take any of them and be happy. (As an aside, Does anyone remember The Blue Fox, La Bourgogne, Ernie's or Le Trianon?) At the same time, you have a long history of places like Osteria del Forno, Clementine, Piperade, and The Slanted Door. There are really good Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Japanese, and Asian fusion places. There are the Tadich's, the Swan's, and the (Jeanty at) Jack's. Is the argument that it's a negative to cook with the best products? Sorry, I just don't get it.

If you go to the website, they have "The Head Chef's Menu" posted under restaurant. It's a little confusing, but I read it as having a "Season's Menu" at 75E and a "Summer Flavours" menu at 160E. It's obviously not quite up to date since summer is over, but it will give you an idea. There are also some nice photos of both the summer and winter restaurants, and of some of the dishes.

I agree with docsconz. From all I've seen, Le Bristol is first on my list for my next big meal in Paris.

I have always been pleased with dinner at Bofinger. The domed room, which is stunning, has always been non-smoking, but the last time I was there, we were seated in a non-smoking section on the second floor. It was nice but not quite as nice. I don't know if there was a change or an expansion of the non-smoking areas. I always order the same thing: cold seafood and choucroute garnie (the simple one), and it's alwyas been very good. The service is very professional, if a bit harried. I believe it is one of the Flo group.

You might consider these, all of which we thought were the stars of our trip in July: Les Ormes * L' Angle de Faubourg * (Really interesting wines) Mon Vieil Ami Le Pamphet Le Clos Des Gourmets

ingridsf, that was a great post with wonderful advice.

Hilarious. It's fixed now.

When we used to go to Santa Barbara every year when my son attended UCSB, we used to go to the Palace Grill for very good New Orleans style food. The oysters R and blackened filet with Cajun hollandaise were great, and the Dean Martinis and Cajun Martinis were very nice. And there was an Argentine place in a former bank at the top of State that was fun and also very good. This was a few years ago though. Edited to fic a letter.

What was that place in Redondo Beach in the '70's that Elmer Dills dug. (Sorry I couldn't resist that.) The place that looked like an old chain that had been reinvented? Pretty good grub and they used to give you a flute of "champagne" if you had to wait. We used to love that place.

Is the next step 32 "courses"? They really didn't call it "taco salad" did they?

I surrender.

Thanks for the photo page. Senderens looks as good as it sounds.

Not wanting to prolong this, let me just say that the maitre d'hotel made no such spiel to us at Taillevent. (You might get one at the French Laundry, but that is for another time and place.) The service couldn't have been more professional, respectful and accomodating.

Since we were in Paris during the end of a fairly popular bike race, there were Americans everywhere- just not at Taillevent. Comparing Taillevent to the French Laundry is curious, since they are so totally different in just about every way. I think M. Vrinat would plead guilty to hand-holding. Some call it service, which is as good as it gets, in my opinion. Under Soliveres, the food, like the surroundings, has been modernized just enough. You were correct about the wine list. It also happens to be a bargain. If Mr. Epicure wants to spend $500 per person on dinner of exquisite vegetables, Arpege might fill the bill, but in my opinion it would not be a good choice for a first three star experience, especially for someone who has any budgetary concerns. Ditto Ledoyen, but for totally different reasons. In addition to Taillevent, Le Bristol and Le Meurice would be better choices for a first luxury experience, IMHO.

Thanks for the three great reviews. I for one would love to see the photos.

Despite my timidity, after wiping the moisture from behind my aged ears, I just wanted to say that we didn't hear any English being spoken in our room when we had dinner at Taillevent in July. I guess we were the only ignorant Americans there that night.

I'm not sure how tight the budget is. There are many very good places that are not expensive. If they avoid the overpriced breakfast at the hotel, the budget gets easier. Lunch is a good bet at many places, but it is also easy to have picnic lunches (or dinners after a big lunch) quite inexpensively and then have dinner, or vice versa. Possibilites: Le Clos Des Gourmets, 16 Ave Rapp, 7th, Tel. 01 45 51 75 61, Metro: Ecole Militaire, Menus 29E Lunch, 33E Dinner, Closed Sun. & Mon. If you stick to the menu, it's not expensive, and it seems as if it should cost a lot more. Mon Vieil Ami, 69 rue St-Louis-en-l'Ile, 4th, Metro: Pont Marie, Tel. 01 40 46 01 35, 28E lunch, 38E Dinner, Closed Tues. Lunch & Mon., Great location on the Ile St-Louis; Modern Alsatian cuisine. Loved this place so much we returned. Le Pamphlet, 38 rue Debelleyme, 3rd, Tel. 01 42 72 39 24, Metro: Filles du Calvaire, Menus 30/45E, Closed Sat. & Mon. Lunch & Sun, Traditional Cuisine. Perraudin, 157 rue St-Jacques, 5th, Student bistro with easy prices and large portions of good bistro food. Haven't been there in a few years. Casaluna, 6 rue de Beaujolais, 1st, Tel. 01 42 60 05 11, Metro Palais Royale, Lunch formula 15E, Corsican, in the Palais Royale, striking interior. Another M. Talbott recommendation, and we really enjoyed it for lunch. Cosi, 54 rue de Seine, 6th, Tel. 01 46 33 35 36, Great sandwiches to eat upstairs or to take away. Inexpensive. Avant Gout, already mentioned by M. Talbott, 26 rue Bobillot, 13th, Tel. 01 53 80 24 00, Place d'Italie, 14E Lunch, Dinner 28/40E, Closed Sat., Sun. & Mon., Modern Bistro, Picnic & wine available in shop across street. Sounded great to me- didn't make it. Café Constant, 133 rue St-Dominique, 7th, Metro: Ecole Militaire, 1sts 7E, Main 11E, Dessert 6E, all at lunch or dinner, Closed Sun. & Mon. lunch; No reservations. Le Pre Verre, 8 rue Thénard, 5th, Tel. 01 43 54 59 47, Metro: Maubert Mutualité, Menus12E Lunch, 25E Dinner, Jazz Theme. Closed Sunday, and either Sat or Monday (more likely) lunch. Didn't make it. Les Pipos 2, Rue de l'Ecole Polytechnique, 5th, Maubert/Mutualité Metro, lunch or off-hour wine, near Pantheon, Friday night accordian music, Open 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., closed Sunday. Youthful.

Great Photos and commentary. Thank you.

We loved Le Pamphlet, which isn't too far away.

Sorry to hear about these issues with Le Troquet. We've really enjoyed it. If anyone has updates, please post.

A very good choice. Try not to get seated in the little room in the back- it's a little too close. It's non-smoking, but they must have other non-smoking areas that are as well.

Thanks for the info Candice. And welcome to egullet.

Someone told me that Laurel was or is in the process of being sold. Anyone heard that?

jgould: & finally, my favorite: e) carlsbad "The last post is way out of line." why don't u take the time & re-read the comments beginning with pierre & give us your interpretation Since you asked, I will go against my better judgment and give my interpretation of Pierre's comments and yours as well. Here is the profile of the idividual that will like L'ami Louis. -you don't like surprises in food. Pierre is saying exactly the same thing you said about the food. It doesn't change and therefore there will be no surprises. Or as you put it, while agreeing with fresh_a, who also said the same thing: (fresh_a @ Oct 8 2005, 11:41 AM) "I have, but, if you've been there before, you know it's the place that NEVER changes. Same staff. Same foie gras, steak/poulet roti, pyramidal pomme frites, and selection of fruit for dessert. Same huge bill. Same American tourist-trap (at times). merci! i go every time in paris. to me, it is the quintessential bistro. yes, the perfection of the samesness is what draws me back. the amazing high prices keeps out a lot of tourists, so the clientele is "normally" comprised of many french regulars, many celeb regulars, & many wealthy american regulars which signify frequent visits to paris, not the 1-timers (generally speaking, of course). the 1-timers i know who have gone generally do NOT like the place: too rude, too brusque, too expensive. hopefully, L'Ami Louis will keep there sameness!!! -you like your food to be simple In my book roast chicken, fries and fruit for dessert are simple food. Is there any dispute about this? -you like huge portions jennahan made the same point: "The one thing that did strike me was the portions were very un-French (i.e., HUGE)." Is there any dispute that the portions are huge? -rudeness does not bother you(we all know about the parisians,right?) As you said: the 1-timers i know who have gone generally do NOT like the place: too rude, too brusque, too expensive. hopefully, L'Ami Louis will keep there sameness!!! Pierre's tongue-in-cheek comment about all Parisians is obvious if you have read any of his other posts. -tables close to each other brings intimacy I have never been to this place, but in the photos I have seen, the tables appear to be close together, more so than in most restaurants in the same price range. Is there a dispute that the tables are close together? Part of the bistro experience is the intimacy that comes from dining in tighter quarters. -you are impressed to be in a famous restaurant -you feel great to be across perhaps from a celebrity. -you are rich or hope to be one -loud voices from fellow americans makes you feel at home These last four are related (and this has become too long. As you put it: all tables were filled with either "celebs" (kevin kline, omar shariff, models, etc...) & what appeared to be french-speaking regulars. don't misinterpret me - IT IS AMAZINGLY EXPENSIVE - IT CAN BE BRUSQUE - RESERVATIONS CAN BE SENSITIVE!!! the amazing high prices keeps out a lot of tourists, so the clientele is "normally" comprised of many french regulars, many celeb regulars, & many wealthy american regulars which signify frequent visits to paris Pierre's other post also noted that a review praised the quality of the ingredients. He states he enjoyed the place but thinks the prices are too high. Obviously, he knows the prices since he has seen the menu, and there seems to be no disagreement that the place is very expensive for what it is. I don't think there is much disagreement concerning what kind of place L'Ami Louis is. The only question is whether it is the type of place one enjoys. Some do and some don't. We all understand that you do. The problem I had with your "out-of-line post" is that it was crude and a personal attack on Pierre. (Edited to try to separate the quotes out. Will I ever learn how to use the quote feature on this thing?)