Le Zouave

tighe - all these addresses sound reliable to me, except for Po Mana, recently closed.

Ptipois - the "snail" entrée is some kind of dim sum, actually: I think it was meat with something else, steamed in a large snail shell. Since the staff just doesn't speak one single word of french, it was impossible to ask for details -- but they understood what I said when I ordered some more!

Nope! I've heard about that one too, but never found the name of the place... But I've tried another one, rue Philibert Lucot, not far away, called la Tonkinoise. The had these quite strange snails (is that what they called them?) I really, really loved.

What about la Mer de Chine, in the 13th? Havn't been there for years, but I remember eating some great stuff (and a bit weird, too, like the duck tongues ).

sharff - if you're not a big fan of Troisgros, don't go! Because what you'll get is Roanne in Paris, 30% off, though... I'm a big fan of Michel Troisgros', been to the LAncaster twice and really liked it. But if you're looking for something close to Roellinger, for instance, try another place. At the Lancaster, the service is really OK, food's sharp, clever and quite unique, but it's not a 3 star (yet?) -- I don't think that's the chef's goal, anyway. Hope this helps.

Great: the three subway stations are really close to each other. Rue Houdon, I guess, when you come from Pigalle, another bistrot with lots of wine: chez Grisette. I've been there many times, and always loved their charcuterie and cheese plates. Honestly, the rest is quite average, though not bad. An old fashion Montmartre bistro, next to a theatre on place Charles Dullin: l'Entracte. Classic french fare with great fries, 35 to 45€ more or less. The place is quite small. La Mascotte, on the rue des abbesses, if you're looking for a classic brasserie with great oysters. Do you need more, MMerrill?

Where exactly will you be, in the 18th? There's a nice wine bar called La Petit Syrah, not far away from rue Lepic and les Abbesses. I one had some great spanish charcuteries -- don't order anything else, I remember food was otherwise really average. But the wine list is definitely great.

pierre45, I remember having dinner at l'Ami Jean less than a year ago, and the place was packed with locals. The chef was the same, then, the ex Regalade Stephane Jego, and we had some great time. Most of my friends who I've sent there never told me they had a bad experience. I'll go back, and report ASAP.

Yesterday, an amazing dinner at la Régalade: palombe, perdrix rouge (both extremly well cooked), a game tourte with foie gras, game terrine with an onion confit, a sanglier stew and many, many more. This was in the coup de fusil section of the menu, meaning +5 to +15€ (and maybe more) for each game entrée or plat. Honestly, I wouldn't go to another place. I remember an overcooked grouse at Le repaire de cartouche, last year, but I'll probably go back this year to see what else the chef can cook (or overcook). I also saw a huge game menu at the very classic Gérard Besson, in the 1st. The guy definitely knows how and what to cook, but the place can be really boring, from time to time. And expensive (I think it's a 1*). Anyway, John's list is quite exhaustive -- as usual, indeed. I'd probably like to go back to the Bon Accueil and Chez Michel (he had grouse a couple of weeks ago).

Why didn't anyone just mention... mineral water? I know it may sound a bit too obvious (and snob, perhaps?), but with a slice of lime and a couple of ice cubes, who needs more? It helps preparing your stomach for a nice 2 or 3 star meal, by keeping your palate as "pure" and "neutral" as possible.

There's a brand new place called the Café Loom: I've never been but some friends told me it was ok. The place has a nice décor, with some antique chairs. 142, RUE DES ROSIERS - MARCHÉ MALAS SIS 93400 SAINT OUEN, Tel : 01 40 10 04 26.

Chapeau Melon is actually a caviste, a wine shop, with two or three tables in the back. It's not bad at all (I once had some fine corsican coppa, and a lovely gaspacho), and the wines are amazing -- as long as you're into the new "unsulphered" trip.

Pretty fast indeed, although a chef like JR is quite a safe choice... (As are, btw, Alleno and Frechon -- the latter already recieved Pudlo's "Restaurant of the year" award in 2002.)

And watch the prices too! I once had a cotes de provence that was as excellent as it was expensive... (Actually, I think it was so good, we took another bottle! )

Last may, Bux. At the end of the month, I think.

Raymonde is no longer there... She just retired, and sold the place to a couple of guys. By chance, they havn't changed anything at all. The food is still OK, classic, and the wine list has really been improved: a lot of great stuff, not expensive at all (a bourgogne grand ordinaire at 10 or 11 euros, I havn't seen that in any parisian restaurant).

freckles, I've never been there, but that that must be l'Ecole Supérieure des charcutiers traiteurs, rue Goubet, 01 42 39 19 64.

Thanks a lot, paulbrussel! I just had a look at the internet site: should be nice, indeed.

kerriar, Denise is really close to the Pied de Cochon, and I'd go there if a had to book a table for 12 at midnight after a Springsteen concert! I was at Denise a couple of days ago, late, with six or seven friends, and it was just great (well, actually, the french fries were not that good, but who cares when you're having a huge steak tartare and plenty of brouilly?) And Denise is much more authentic than the Pied de Cochon.

Juan Sanchez's wine shop is la Dernière Goutte, rue Bourbon le Chateau: anyone at Fish will give you the exact address -- it's a one minute walk. I went to the Café du Passage last june or july -- I used to have drinks there (the wine list is great), but never tried there food. I was a nice surprise (can't remember everything except some fabulous cheese, and a... hot dog!) and we had some great time. btw, havn't been to les Caves Legrand, in the galerie Vivienne, since last year: I really loved it (you can pick your bottle in the shop). Food's quite simple but comes from the best producers (I had charcuteries I still remember).

Hi everyone! I think I read almost everything you guys wrote since 2002 about Bruges. I went there 5 years ago, but I was wondering whether you could help me find more new places-- I know the Karmeliet live you do and I will probably go back, but what other places should I try? classic belgian stuff, obviously, and maybe more? Thanks for youy help!

raisab, I loved your story! Last time I was there, I ate on the first floor, where the chef has just lauched a lunch formule, maybe 13 or 14€ for an entrée and a plat -- and maybe even more, I can't actually remember. It was quite good... and I didn't have wine.

Maremosso, what exactly are you looking for? Lunch or dinner? There's a nice wine bar called La Cloche des Halles, rue Coquillère: if I were you, I'd try it around 2PM -- otherwise, the place is really crowded. Some consider they're not as friendly as they should be, but the place is quite typical. Another café and bistro, not far away from the place des Victoires and les Halles: la Tourelle.

Laidback, that was a long, long time ago: two years or so? I can only remember a very forgettable pasta main course, with a langoustine sauce. When Chabanel was there, the place used to be quite hip, with some innovative cuisine and a friendly atmosphere. Maybe I should go back?