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La Regalade was disappointing in Sept. It was fine in April..so..I think it is not always the same. On the otherhand Spring was excellent both for lunch and dinner. I also have a reservation there for Dec. 5th..looking forward to it, too! Enjoy, Joan

I was in Paris in Sept/Oct and had some absolutely beautiful oysters at Fables de la Fontaine. I am on my way to Paris on Dec. 3rd for a couple weeks. I do have dining reservations at Fables. Send them an e-mail and ask.. Have a good trip..might see you at Fables!! Enjoy... Joan

I usually travel alone. I was in Paris for a month mid Sept-mid Oct. I dined alone much of the time. I have never had a problem with seating. A friend will be joing me on a short 12 day trip in Dec. We have many reservations. I have traveled all over France, alone and never had a proble. Joan

I was in Paris for a month mid Sept. - mid Oct. I had reservations at some places..like lunch and dinner at Spring. I enjoy a variety in my choosing..Usually do all the Constant places, Le Florimond Les Anges, La Cuisine etc. etc. I have a spur of the moment trip arriving in Paris Dec. 4th and departing Dec. 15th. I do have a reservation for lunch with Daniel at Spring. Need to catch up on how things are going at the new place. Catherine Constant will be one of the other 3 with me. Will be fun. I do have reservations at some other places., including two Constant's, Fables and Violon. The other two will be enjoyed, but no reservations! I enjoy a variety in my restaurant planning..from starred to charming, funky bistros. I enjoy them all and give no thought as to why, for this one or that one. I enjoy Paris. I enjoy the lovely apartments where I stay. I enjoy the places where I dine. What more could you want? Joan

Finally - with regard to reservations - check - and recheck. Preferably by phone or through the concierge at your hotel. I thought I might dine at l'Arpege and emailed them perhaps 2 months ago or so about a reservation - asking for an email confirmation. I never heard back from the restaurant - and assumed it was full for the evening I requested. Didn't think about it again until I got home. And there - I found 2 phone messages from the restaurant trying to confirm my reservation - and then canceling it for lack of confirmation. Of course - I wasn't there to answer the calls. I was in Paris. I know it is sometimes daunting to call foreign countries. But I found it easier when I wanted to because I enrolled in a Bellsouth phone plane for $5/month - for only a few months - where I could call France for 7 cents a minute. I will never again rely on email to try to make an important reservation. Robyn, I have just returned from a wonderful month in Paris!! RE reservations...I always use the 1010 dialing numbers for my advance reservations. It is so simple and calls average about .65. I usually call about 6:00 AM EST. For instance, that is when I call Daniel Rose at Spring..Daniel usually answers the phone, too. I made many this way prior to my trip. I then always call and re-confirm upon arrival and give them my cell phone number in Paris..or hotel number would suffice..... Joan

I had dinner with a friend a couple weeks ago and lunch with another friend today. All I can say is that he is a very gifted young man. You have a wonderful meal for a reasonable price. I don't care what you do or don't like or what your diet might be. I think you will eat it and you will enjoy it. I am leaving tomorrow after having been herre for a wonderful month. I talked with Daniel about the time frame for next spring. He said he would probably have a better handle on in another week. Hoping for March..I will return mid April for a month, so things should work out. Joan

I had brunch at Les A yesterday. Met Catherine and Christian Constant waiting to enter. We got to catch up on some things. I dine often at their restaurants. Christian always comes to my table. We have the usual simple conversations, as Christian speaks less English than I speak French!! He mentioned that he sees me every place. Noticed later that a birthday cake was presented to Catherine. When I returned home to my apt. I sent her a cute Jacquie Lawson B/D card. We enjoyed our brunch. The service and the food was excellent, as you would expect at Les A. The dress of some guests or the lack of dress was definitely noticed by us. I ran into Catherine and Christian outside Violon today. Catherine and I visited for some time. She had mentioned the lack of proper drress in her thankyou for the B/D card. I told her that it had been something that I was seeing regularly. Even sitting in the lobby of the Crillon, I see people coming in who would not have been allowed in the hotel a few years ago. Then there is the thing about if they are staying in the hotel that they are allowed anyplace, dressed anyway! I can't agree with that. Information can be given as to the dress code in every dining room/bar area. What about the rack of coats in years past? I asked Catherine if she had been to Spring. She had not and had heard of the need for early, early reservations. I told her that I call Daniel and say when I will be here and ask when I can dine there. Always, most accomodating. This trip I had dinner there a couple weeks ago with a gal who had lived in Paris for 5 years. She was thrilled to join me. All I can say is that it was fantastic! Just to watch Daniel is special. A most gifted young man. We both agreed that it could be your best dining experience while in Paris. For those who are uncomfortable with the lack of a menu, we both said that we could easily enjoy those surprises, daily! I will be there for lunch on Thursday and want to talk to Daniel about his expected date of being into the new location. I will be back for a month beginning mid April. I asked Catherine if she and Christian would like to go. She said that they would. Thinking of getting together a nice group to enjoy "Spring" in the spring, at their new Bailleul location. Joan

I just came from rue Bailleuil! One block long, little dingy street! Daniel, you will definitely be the highlight of the street!! I wondered which spot it was...the one that went around the corner looked like a good spot. Easy metro access for us. I had the most fantastic dinner at Spring last week and I will be there for lunch again next week. I may be able to get more information from Daniel. I have been in Paris since Sept. 11th and will be here til Oct. 10th. I will soon take some time and give you the list of where I have been so far...you will find that I have been busy! I am heading almost beneath me to a place that exudes charm, funky, and can be a delight..Cafe Max..acquired a few years ago by an Italian who moved here as a child...he completely re-modeled the place..it is full of politicians and lawyers for lunch and the young professionals at night..by 10:00 or so the place is hopping..a bit of an Italian touch to the French..I have eaten well when there! Valdo is a character!! a bientot.....Joan

I arrived early with a tailwind, with luggage and all settled in my lovely 7th floor apt. in the 7th with the Eiffel Tower outside my window..all of Paris out there. Pretty spectacular after dark!! I quickly walked down a block to Le Florimond and made an early reservation so I could turn in early on this arrival night. What a great place..what nice people!! Another patron even sent over an after dinner wine..then an American couple was seated next to me and noting I spoke English began asking me many things..their first trip here. It ended not being an early to bed evening...but a nice start!! The following day I found the best little place..."Flirt'The"...3, Ave. Duquesne, next door to Derby Hotel..serves petite dejeuner, dejeuner and the..may be open as late as 5. Great 8 euro breakfast..oj or grapefruit, toasted baguette, croissant, coffe or tea. About 9 items on the board for dejeuner...all 13 euros! gave that a try today..had a grilled chicken leg/thigh, flan des legumes (very nice), green salad, glass of wine and a hot apple/berry crumb dessert..total 23.50! Small, table a bit close, some outside..very clean, friendly, and very nice owner. If in the area and looking for a light spot to eat, I don't think you will be disappointed. I also have been to Bistrot Vin Sobre. Sat outside. It was decent. I was wandering down to catch up with Catherine Constant and passed 153 Grenelle..looked in and visited..of course, ended up making a dinner reservation. A very pretty place. I had a melt in your mouth fois gras, the canard confit, skipped the cheese, petit fours...a most enjoyable meal. Question: a foursome of French were across from me and they all had heaping bowls of what looked like mini mussels that you ate by hand as an entree..what would they be?? I did catch up with Catherine and had lunch at Les Cocottes. A nice young man sat next to me. A Sorbonne student from Houston. I think he enjoyed chatting with me..a bit homesick? I should have bought his lunch. He said he was most fortunate to have found an apt. in the 7th...eats sandwiches most of the time..said there was a famous Greek sandwich place in the 5th! I think they said he was maybe a Sat. regular at Les Cocottes..I will have to look for him next Sat..buy his lunch!! I will be here for a month..so will add my thoughts and ask all of you who have the food smarts for some help along the way..... Joan Tomorrow night I have reservations at La Folle Avoine. Looking forward to it after some reading. Many more..on to Spring, l'Obelisque, Fables etc, etc.

It was on the menu at Taillevent last October. I did order it..very good....

Glad to hear the Gerard Besson comments. I have reservations there in early October. For additions to your list: Spring La Regalade La Folle Avoine Au Gourmand For just a few....... Enjoy

When I dined at Les Ambassadeurs on Christmas Day I had their Special Christmas Menu. I am sure that you could order something other than that. I think you will find places to dine. You will just have to spend a bit more time in finding who is open and who is closed...yes, the prices might be higher. I'm sure that you will enjoy..I know that I did!!

A few years back I was in Paris over the Christmas holidays. The decorations are lovely. I dined at Violon d'Ingres on Christmas Eve...that was the old more formal Violon. I do not think they are open on Christmas Eve now. I dined at Les Ambassadeurs for Christmas Day. The menu was online...perhaps you can find it there now. The large hotels will be taking care of their guests. I would check out Le Meurice, Bristol, etc....

I think you will all enjoy your brunch!! I have known the Constants for many years. You have your choice of Violon d'Ingres, Fables de la Fontaine, Cafe Constant and Les Cocottes. I enjoy them all and do dine there when in Paris. I generall stay in the Paris Perfect apartments that are generally in the St. Dominique/Bourdonnais area. Go to Cafe Constant for breakfast, Les Cocottes for lunch and Violon or Fables for dinner..Fables is seafood. Les Cocottes is Counter with stools. Violon changed from a more formal to a more relaxed atmosphere. They are all located right there on St. Dominique. Enjoy......

Another thing that 5 ladies might enjoy...brunch at either Les Ambassadeurs or Le Meurice. Very elegant decor and some good prices. I am taking a first timer to brunch at Les Ambassadeurs in early October. She is very excited about it after looking at the website. Enjoy........ Joan

Here is my contact at the Bristol: Melanie Hubert mhubert@lebristolparis.com She will tell you all about it and will make the reservation for you... Enjoy... Joan

Just thought of this as something your group might enjoy. The Hotel Bristol occasionally has Sat. High Tea/Fashion Shows. They are having one on 10/4. The cost is 50 euros. The hotel Bristol is lovely. You will find all the information on their website for reservations. I will be in Paris at that time and a friend will be joining me on some dining adventures. I have made reservations for us for this. Enjoy.....

If you want the decor, I would suggest Le Meurice, Les Ambassadeurs or the Hotel Bristol. They are all lovely and you will also enjoy the food. Have fun..........

I think some thought might be given to the separation of what you are paying for food and what you are paying for service when talking about the starred restaurants. I have dined at 3 star restaurants and received royal service and excellent food. I have dined at less than star level and received excellent food and very pleasant service. The price difference was quite noticeable!! Joan

I am sorry for whatever I have done!! The intent was only to have Spring open for lunch on Thursday, October 9th! He does not include Thursdays for the whole year. It was only Fiday for lunch when I was there in April. I was really only passing on the word that Spring could be serving lunch on Thursday, October 9th. Joan

Sorry for my hard to understand wording above...my thinking was to hopefully have enough others interested in dining at Spring on Thursday, Oct. 9th that Daniel would definitely be serving on that Thursday. I have to make it the 9th as my companion will only be there at that time..and I do want to take her to Spring! Joan

I have now called Gerard Besson, La Regalade and l'Epigramme for some lunch/dinner reservations for October!

I called Spring early this morning (from US) and talked woith Daniel!! I knew he was serving lunch on Thursdays this time of the year, but needed October 9th to introduce a friend to Spring. We have a tentative reservation for that day. Get enough of followers out there and there will be liunch on Oct. 9th!! I also asked him to pick an evening for me, as I would be there for a month. So, I have September 19th for dinner! Joan

How about Au Gourmand? It is a nice place.......

L'Epigramme quickly comes to mind!