grace3

Thanks for the additions................keep them coming!!

What a shame...don't let it fade away if you've still got more reports and photos to share with us! I'd like to read them. I have been watching for more from you!! Please keep going.......... Joan

I wholeheartedly agree!!

Enjoying the input...thank you. Joan

Sorry to have asked for anything other than dining...certainly can drop those items and stick to dining only..... Thanks for your help.......

I have been asked to plan a trip to Paris for some first timers! Money does not enter into it. Probably early June for 5/6 days. They really want suggestions for lodging, dining and sight-seeing. I realize this site is primarily dining..could we stray a bit?? I have thought the Hotel Crillon. Others? They will need the concierge services for everything, from airport arrival to departure and everything in between! They do not want to be inundated with museums or cathedrals..a little of everything to make them want to hurry back! Some sight-seeing nearby private touring etc. Dining...let's have some fun with a variety for them. I doubt that they will be able to handle both a large lunch and dinner daily....I have an e-mail to them asking that question. Starred..Taillevent and ? Wide open for others..please say for dinner or for lunch. Thanks in advance for your help...they will give our final list to the concierge.

I was there mid Feb. You should find a posting someplace from me. I would not return. Strange from even the front door!! Did not care for decor. Yes, tee shirts. One fellow looked like he might have come from mowing his yard! He was not a stranger either. Seemed to know the staff. The food was Ok..I had:Panier de Belon, Volaille de Challans facon demi-deuil, millefeuille a la vanille de tahiti, 1/2 bottle of Badoit, V Manzanilla El Rocio, Meursault Charmes, cafe...133 euros.. I truly think that you can easily do better.........

Being a horse owner most of my life, I can only say that I find all of this absolutely horrible!!!

ameiden, Maybe we should start adding our own stars to the present two stars...Taillevent would be the best three star, two star restaurant in Paris!! Certainly a great many of us feel that way..... Joan

Must put Spring on my list for October... Need to work up some new ones to go along with some old favorites....

I'm not seeing Helene Darroze for a third star..is that out now? Personally, I didn't care for her when a one star!..but who am I..I have never returned..do not plan to do so either! Taillevent a different story. My experience a couple weeks ago was perfection in every way. The food was superb. The whole experience was well worth the $226 US! I already have my reservation for October!! I don't think I am alone in this thinking. M. Vrinat is charming. I downgrade Michelin this year!

I just received a nice message and confirmation of my reservation for October 19 from Monsieur Vrinat! Looking forward to it and enjoying it as much as I enjoyed being there a little over a week ago. This time I will have a friend with me on her very first visit to Paris! I told her that Taillevent would be a most memorable event for her.....

porkpa, Sorry that I mentioned the Americans...only did so because of another post. No, it is not just the Americans..and the Americans should not be blamed for everything! I think it is just the trend to make things more casual and relaxed. There should still be places that couples can go where all are dressed for a nice occasion. When I think of it, about the only places that we have that truly have dress codes are our private Country Clubs. All that I know of have strict requirements for different dining rooms and hours. If you or your guest does not have a jacket, they will provide one. I can remember a few years back at the very lovely Breakers in Pam Beach, Fl that early morning golfers (as was my husband) could not have breakfast just wearing a short sleeve golf shirt. A cardigan sweater over it was acceptable. The Breakers is one of THE best places in the world. Sorry, john to have gotten us off on this dress thing..indirectly related to dining.. Joan

Senderens food...yes, it was good. The oysters were quite interesting in their serving. Dress codes..I brought this up partially to see what others thought in the changes that we have seen. Open collar shirts were not in the past. I think they are fine..with a jacket. Yes, I do think that a gentleman should wear a jacket in a nice restaurant. The ladies will probably be appropriately(IMO)dressed and the man should dress as well! I do think the changes in the restaurants, the Americans etc. are changing everything. 2008 there will be no smoking in the restaurants! That will certainly please many..and many will grumble. I wouldn't like to see a dress code completely disappear. I think people like to dress up when they go out..maybe this is more feminine! You would not want to take away the joy that women have in shopping for "something to wear" to dinner, would you?? Joan

Violon has re-modeled and decorated. A much more casual atmosphere than it was. Nicely done. It is long and narrow with seating on the sides. I would say it was busy when I was there on Sat. My reservation was for 1:00. I left about 2:45 to meet with Carolyn about the Paris Perfect Apartments. I had the menu, which was 45 euros. I had a foie gras that was very nice..and I don't know why I can't remember what else I had..sorry about that..I did have a chocolat tarte, a Kir, bottle of water, a glass of Sancerre and cafe..all for 63 euros. There were a number of selections offerred that should please all. Joan

I have just returned from 6 days in Paris. Couldn't have started better..arrived in Paris 1 hour EARLY!! TheWestminster Hotel was picking me up. Had to wait about 15 minutes for the man with the sign. He couldn't believe it was 2 hours early. My room was ready. I unpacked a bit and went down to the Celadon for breakfast and then finished unpacking. The hotel had a ticket for the l'Orangerie Museum for me for 1:00. A long line for those without tickets and quite cold. It was spectacular!! I had no idea that there were so many Monet panels..two huge rooms full! Breathtaking. Did some wandering around before returning to the hotel. Had an early (7:30) dining reservation at the Celadon for an early to bed night. Went to L'Obelisque for lunch following day. I thought there might be many Americans because of the location to the embassy. I did not hear a word of English near me. I had a great lunch. A regular item lobster salad..not little pieces of lobster, but all the lobster pulled out and very larges pieces..and not in dripping butter, for these people who watch their cholesterol intake!! Nice atmosphere. I enjoyed it. I will go there for dinner when in Paris in the fall. Taillevent for lunch....what can you say, but perfection in every way!! The Maitre d'Hotel, Phillippe Duret, took great care of me. I had Epeautre Aux Truffes, St. Jacques Meuniere, a Kir, a glass of wine, water and cafe...not the lunch special..mine was 166 euros..worth every penny of it!! I did visit with Phillip re the Michelin rumors re Taillevent losing a star and Helene Darroze gaining a 3rd. I told him that I had been to HD a number of years back when one star..did not like anything about the place..would never return. He said that he had other similar comments. Also said that they generally received some notification about 3 weeks ahead..it had been very quiet. I told him that if Taillevent lost a star, it would be Michelin that would lose credibility!! I exchanged business cards with Phillipe..he said to contact him for any reservations..that he would personally take care of me. Told him that I would be back in Oct. M. Veyrat and Phillippe saw me to my taxi. Senderens for dinner. Strange in many ways. 8:00 reservation. Arrived in front of two white doors with a small S on each..no handles, no people. I wondered how to get in! Got closer to the doors and they opened...immediately in front of your face was what looked like a green shower curtain! I pulled it aside and spotted some people who seemed to be surprised to see me..at 8:00 in a Michelin 2 star restaurant? I did not care for the decor. I was seated better than many. I did wonder a bit about the chairs. I am not a large person and someone not much larger might not fit, or might get stuck!! My dinner: Panier de Belon, Volaille de Challans facon demi-deuil, millefeuille a la vanille de Tahiti, Badoit, Manzanilla El Rocio, Meursault Charmes, cafe...133 euros. The meal was fine. The difference between Taillevent and Senderens was like night and day. Senderens, they were scurrying. Taillevent was so smooth in every way that you were were not aware of the crowd that was there. They have everything down to perfection!! Dress code: Senderens generally men had open shirt collars and wore jackets. Some people (men and women) had jeans, but wore jackets...you don't see what is below the table..of course, there are jeans and there are jeans. Then a man walked in with tan cords and a rust colored pullover shirt. Like he had been lolling around for the day and then decided to get a bite to eat. He was not a tourist, was known by the restaurant staff..he stood out like a sore thumb..to me, at least. Often on various forums the question of the need for a man to take a jacket. What is the problem!! Wear it on the plane..they will even hang it up for you! A gentlemen wears a jacket! Are there fewer gentlemen today or does the familiarity with the restaurant make you feel you can dress down..or is it the "new" more casual decor in some of the restaurants? A 2 star restaurant should deserve more proper dress..IMO! I probably will not return to Senderens. I cancelled the following days reservation at Dominique Bouchet, thinking it might be another Senderens experience. Probably should not say that! Instead I went to the little Pre Sale that JohnTalbott had previously previewed for me. I am glad that I did. I enjoyed a very pleasant meal. Thank you John. I went to Violon d'Ingres on Saturday. I liked what Christian and Catherine had done in re-modeling. Had a great lunch, wine etc. for 63 euros. I chatted with Christian. Missed Catherine. The weather was good, grey days, sunny days etc. Not aproblem. The Westminster was great. I got with Carolyn from Paris Perfect for Oct rental and also made a reservation at the Brighton for a room that looked upon all of Paris. Taking my granddaughter there in April, 2008! It is called..plan ahead!! Guess what..my flight arrived in Atlanta an hour early..just had to wait an hour longer for my flight to Asheville!! Great trip..will just take me afew days to be able to sleep to a decent morning hour.... Joan

I received my 2007 Time Out via Amazon last week. I am leaving on Sunday for Paris. I have many reservations made..but I can find room for more!! I will take the Time Out and the Zagat, and who knows what else. I am watching the weather. I will be pleased if I just get some sunshine! I am looking forward to my stay at the Westminster. I have several things to take care of when there for both Oct. and April in Paris, 2008! a bientot..........

Thanks for the reply, John. I did a bit more research on the Patisserie Millet and found that it is closed on Mondays. Of course, we are arriving on a Monday!! Sounds like a good place for us to know about, though. I did find a place called Les Deux Abeilles, 189, rue de l'Universite. Some nice things said about it. I will be arriving in Paris on Feb. 5th so I will go there and see what will work for October. We just may have our individual taxis "deliver" us to this spot and work in our arrival meeting with the apt. people on Jean Nicot accordingly. Any comments on the Les Deux Abeilles? Thanks, Joan

This may sound like a strange question...can anyone tell me if the boulangerie on rue Jean Nicot has seating of any kind? The reason for the question is because a friend and I have rented an apartment nearby later in the year. We will both be arriving early morning, separate flights and taxi to the area. Our apartment will probably not be ready for us that early in the morning. The boulangerie is across the street from the building where our apartment is located. We could meet there and even have breakfast! I bet they have no seating!! Any other suggestions?? Joan

I arrive in Paris on 2/5. I have made all my dining reservations. I sent my list to my hotel concierge and let them make the reservations for me. Le Comptoir does not take advance reservations. They say to call the day that you want the reservation. I told the concierge to skip Le Comptoir..Cramped seating along with other complaints about the place, to have great food at bargain prices is not for me. I would rather pay more for great food in lovely atmosphere with excellent service! To each his own....I have Taillevent, Senderens, Violon d'Igres along with others.... Enjoy your planning.....

Yes, I did see it. Thanks for all the help. I do appreciate it. Joan

I do have some confirmed dining reservations from the Westminster Concierge. My arrival evening will be at the hotel's Celadon. The others that I have are: L'Obelisque (Crillon), Taillevent, Senderens, Dominique Bouchet and Violon d'Ingres. I think I will be pleased... Joan

So many variables: age group, budget, first timer to Paris, and then add all the different interests....this goes for food, lodging etc. First timers 4th, 5th and 6th....I now prefer elsewhere. Plenty for all to enjoy in their own way!! Happy Holidays to all............ Joan

I will be staying at the Westminster in February. The concierge is most helpful in arranging for the hotel to meet my airport arrival, arrange date and time for the l'Orangerie to finally see the Monet "panels" The Constannts are good friends and I have communicated with Catherine. I will make my reservation with her. I have given a list to the hotel concierge for the rest, which includes Taillevent, Dominque Bouchet, Senderens, etc. Le Comptoir si not that important to me..less so with what you have just said. The review in Zagat does not sound that appealing, either.."seating is cramped".."takes far too long"...probably not my cup of tea! Looking forward to my visit in Paris..I have been running around too many other areas of France and I now find I am excited about getting "back" to Paris! Joan