Forest

I ate there last night and the food was terrific - I was solo but you could easily go with another person. I had fish with roasted tomatoes and chanterelles and it was divine, chocolate tart too. No reservations. My late lunch on sunday at Le Comptoir at odeon was also great. id recommend going at lunch bc you probably wont be able to get a reservation for dinner - they book up. That's good to hear. When wendy and I were there the other day, Constant was eating at the table next to our counter seats - so I was wondering if we just hit a particularly good day (i.e. when all staff and cooking were being done with the big boss there). I'd say the cocottes are definitely the way to go (even though the other food coming out the kitchen looked good. I had the lamb with ratatouilli (sp?) and she had the fish with leeks (both really tasty - not just good food, but a really nice combination of flavours in both cocottes.) and, yeah, we finished with the chocolate tart, too. (yum - nice consistency like I like!)

I can't comment on Taillevent because I haven't been, but have friends who enjoyed it. As for French restaurants I enjoy that are less expensive and fancy, just some suggestions off the top of my head: L'Ami Jean (you'll get a mix of opinions on this one from EG), parc aux cerfs, Diapason (opinions vary on this, so it's most worthwhile if you can get on the rooftop terrace), Les Fous d'en Face (for traditional food with an interesting wine list). Those are a few that I enjoy pretty much every time I go. Also, you should definitely check out Frenchie: the food is top notch and the prices very reasonable. That's my best recommendation for visitors right now. Book ahead because they are small and busy. Happy restaurant hunting & hope you enjoy whichever ones you choose!

L'Atelier Joel Robuchon is perfect for dining solo - all counterseating, fantastic food. This seems to be vearing off topic (there may well be a solo-dining thread, but I'm too lazy to search right now.) but here goes: I just ate with little miss foodie at les cocottes a few days ago and really enjoyed it. Like L'Atelier Joel Robuchon, you can get counter seating (I saw a few people eating solo there) and it's also a christian constant restaurant (as is the Cafe Constant mentioned above) Also regarding the original post "paris in october" do you have any other criteria (types of food, price range, location, etc, etc) for what you're seeking? That's a pretty broad request and could be addressed by searching any number of the France threads. There was also a prior discussion on eating in Paris restaurants during particular months and the general conclusion seemed to be that restaurants are good consistently or not, and this has nothing to do with the particular month. Only time-related concerns might be August closures or those who want to catch restaurants during game season.

also of note re: Magnifique (25 rue richelieu) is that their website says they open at 7, but actually they open at 8.

okay, finally I got around to trying le Magnifique & was rather impressed. It was admittedly a little tougher to give it a really critical eye because I have some friends in town, so Wednesday's crowd was a bit bigger and more distracting than usual. But, my martini was superb (16 Euros). I could get a martini of equal quality for a bit less, but I really liked the vibe in this place. The Colin Field inspired drinks (20 Euros) wowed us less. (he helped them develop the menu) The ambience is very low-key swanky lounge. Sofas, low tables, dark lighting. You have to ring to enter and the guy looks throught the little window box before letting you in. Of note also, there is a fumoir. I'll blog on it later this week, but those are the key elements. I'm going to go back on my own or just with one other person to get a really good look at what they're doing behind the bar. Fresh_a: Have you been since your post? I'm curious to hear what you think of it.

Someone just sent me this link to a list of the best cocktail bars in the Guardian. I'm all for the Experimental and the Curio, which are the top two listed there, but there are a few here that I've never heard of. I'll start trying them out, but if anyone has any info on the other bars worth sharing, I'm all ears.

I was recently told by someone that she got in big trouble at home for cleaning all the "brown stains" out of the teapot because her boyfriend insisted that is supposed to be left there for better tea, like seasoning a pan. I actually had never heard of anyone seasoning a tea pot before...is this normal?

In view of 'la crise' we're on the hunt for cocktail bars with happy hours...anyone have any favorites that offer up good happy hour prices! As always...thanks for the input. Updates from my end: I haven't stumbled across anything new and interesting lately, but I did make a visit to the Andy Wahloo not long ago and the drinks were not bad and the happy hour good (5 Euros cocktails from 5 to 8). Also, if anyone is tempted to try cocktails at the lounge of the Sublim Eiffel (whose website makes it look rather interesting) stay away from the mixed drinks. Funny, funky little place, but not worth the trip for a cocktail.

don't know what kind of 'classics' you'll find here, but Jamie Boudreau's blog has a 'wine-tails' catagory with several wine-based cocktails here.

Well, I don't know specifically the restaurants. But, I sent this link of Dave Lebovitz's blog to a friend who lives here who is gluten free. Good luck!

with the loss of John as a host it was concilation that Phyllis was around. We'll be sorry to see you go, but hope you enjoy the extra time in the countryside. Hope to still see you around the boards.

As usual Ptipois has the good info. Restaurant quality changes because sometimes it goes up or down, but not because of the season. However, one thing possibly worth noting is that some restaurants (the ones who specialize in game -and there's a whole thread on that elsewhere) might be more appealing to people in the fall. I've never been sure of when it officially ends...help me out here, France forum - is it late January when it pretty much ends? But you should still be in game season in December.

I'm not so good about posting on mediocre dining experiences (although I think it's a good thing to do) But, i went and checked out Derriere this week because I'd read about it on a few blogs and heard talk of it recently. I was already worried that it might be just a bit too trendy to serve really interesting food. The space is kind of cool, but reminds me of a lot of bar and cafe spaces I've seen in the Pacific Northwest (biggish, industrial, cool junk sale stuff, oldies things around like a stainless steel fridge & motorbike in the entry way, ping pong table in the middle of the dining room & people play during dinner) terrace is sizable and in the courtyard which is a bonus. But, I was completely underwhelmed by the food (and I didn't have super high expectations). I was with one other person. We both had an apero (which comes with a little plate of radishes and sausage slices) and shared the foie gras for a starter (okay foie gras), i had the faux filet (a point - it was cooked this way, but felt like it been cooked, left out and then reheated - no seasoning at all) and my sides of beans and potatoes were really oversalted. Friend had the joue de boeuf (braised - so it's hard for that not to be tender, which it was - it's just that the flavor was lacking oompf and it needed a bit of salt as well). For two aperos, a bottle of one, 1 starter and 2 mains, we paid 120 Euros....which I didn't think was a great price considering the whole meal left me pretty non-plussed.

So I tried Le Bar Des Roses for drinks and food last night. Someone there knows or appreciates cocktails because the menu's good for Paris. ← Also, just as a bit of an update on Bar des Roses - There have been some changes to staff (chef & barman, I think) and the bar menu (as well as the food menu) have changed slightly. I've heard a lot of people complaining about a drop in the quality of the service and slight drop in quality of offerings...I haven't been for a bit & last time I was there I had wine, but (as I've already posted seperately about the food) I'm wondering if they are heading into a downward phase? Anyone been recently and have any comments on the drinks?

← ← i think both experimental and curio seem to be a bit unpredictable with their hours....I've been to the experimental as early as 7 (actually thought it was 6pm...but perhaps it was 7) and it was open. As for curio, I think they used to open at 9pm, but i've also been there as early as 7 lately. So, seems like there is a lot of mixed reports on their hours. I'll call them later tonight to see if we can get an actual opening time. ← well, i'm pretty slow on a response to this, but I was at the Experimental a few weeks ago and checked again with them and 7 is their official opening time. And, while I'm here, I want to give a little shout out to Christophe over at the Why bar (60, Rue Jean Jacques Rousseau, 75001 Paris) who previously worked the Forum but now has since opened his own spot. The place is pretty quiet, but he mixes up some nice drinks and some crazy deconstructed ones at a decent price for what you're getting (drinks around 10 - 12, during summer caips & mojitos at 6). I've blogged on him lately so I won't repeat that whole thing...but if you like either classic or interesting cocktails, I think it's worth a visit over here. He's a nice guy with a solid small collection behind the bar and very interested in cocktails. The place doesn't have a loungey feel, per se, but it's quiet & comfy and has a little sidewalk terrace that would be good if you get there early enough to grab a spot during the warm summer evenings.

Thanks, John, for all of your hard work as a host and always useful input & comments!

Since a few of my last visits to Bar des Roses, I've been hearing more and more complaints from friends who have gone there with me in the past about declining quality and service. At first I thought it was a one-off, but there have been a good handful. So, i'm seriously beginning to wonder if Bar des Roses is one of those places that started out strong but doesn't really have the stamina to keep it up at that level. But, given the comments I've heard, my enthusiasm for them is waning. Anyone else been recently and have any input?

once again, I went with a larger group (8) to Bar des Roses last night. And, I think it's worth noting that they have just changed chefs (as of this weekend). The new one trained under the old one so things are pretty similar. But there have been slight simplifications on both the cocktails and the tapas menus. They still offer the filet de beouf and the poulpe - both of which were winners for me. However, the filet de beouf is now served with mashed potatoes rather than mashed plantaine. (personally I prefer this, but I think the plantaine made for something more interesting and unusual) However, we still enjoyed the nice tapas and lots of wine and got out again for less than 35/per person.

hey fresh_a...no comments from me on this one as i haven't been yet. on the list...but got a bit sidetracked last month so I've fallen a bit behind. curious to hear what you think if you've been. otherwise, i'm going to try and get out there this month & will let you know what I think.

← ← i think both experimental and curio seem to be a bit unpredictable with their hours....I've been to the experimental as early as 7 (actually thought it was 6pm...but perhaps it was 7) and it was open. As for curio, I think they used to open at 9pm, but i've also been there as early as 7 lately. So, seems like there is a lot of mixed reports on their hours. I'll call them later tonight to see if we can get an actual opening time.

Well, i guess not technically on Montmartre, a couple of cheap and cheerfuls that I really like in the area are Bar des Rose (which I've posted on seperately) for tapas or a restaurant that came off John T's blog, Cul de Poule. While I love la Famille for a visit to Hussein the fab bartender, I have not eaten there. The place is always packed - but I've heard mixed reviews on the dining experience - not bad reviews, just ranging from "okay" to "great!"

Oh, and we did try the electric koolaid as well....I actually thought it was kind of refreshing and tasty...but it was the last one we sampled (although we didn't sample a full cocktail each for all of these, we had still consumed a fair amount of booze and flavors by this time). So, while I wouldn't rush out to make it, I thought at that point "not too bad" However, the others (specifically the ones actually having the party) felt it was a bit too much work & ingrediants for the flavor reward.

Thanks again, all, for the ideas. We sampled the possibilities last night. Flower Power martini is quite nice! I toned down the violette a bit becausee I thought at that proportion it overpowered the St Germain, but I think the one I'm using has a pretty intense flavor. We skipped the mushroom martini to reduce the number of vodka drinks. Although I am still interested in the idea of a cocktail involving mushrooms. there seemed to be a couple of variations on the mudslide, so we tried a few. The winner seemed to be equal parts baileys, kahlua, vodka. i shook it and poured into a chilled glass (although should be over the rocks) and put some finely grated dark chocolate sprinkles on top. This would not be my favorite drink, but of the mudslides, it was the preferred one. (I would probably add more vodka myself to reduce the super sweet of the other two, or perhaps something else, but it worked for what we're doing) As an alternative to the mushroom martini, we sampled a between the sheets and a stargazer - we figured both seemed to have somewhat vaguely woodstocky names. I enjoy both of these, especially the stargazer, but we will probably go with the between the sheets as I think it's a bit more accessible to most people (i.e. not everyone loves rye in their cocktail) Now, I'm off to play with the jello shots!

yes, little pickled mushrooms was what i was thinking. The starry night is gorgeous! I may not do something like this for this party - just because it will be a big group and I'm trying to stick with easier ingrediants...but i will definitely be borrowing that idea for some of my personal cocktail parties at home! So far I'm thinking the following from everyone's suggestions: -Flower Power Martini (that looks like a pretty tasty one to me) -Mushroom Martini (vodka martini w/ pickled mush - this will appeal to this crowd more than gin martinis anyway) -Mudslides (these do not sound good to me, but, again, i think this crowd might be into them) -Electric Koolaid as a self-serve punch -psychodelic smiley shots Given the constraints (number of people & their tastes, hosts desire for themed drinks, ease of making lots for several people) I think this might work. I personally think that menu is a bit vodka heavy and not varied enough but it may go down well with this particular crowd. So, I will give him that as an option or go back to my original of 3 simple floral based martinis with the jellow shots and a few classics. (which would be my personal preference) This isn't set in stone, so if anyone has any better ideas...feel free to let me know!

That's kind of what I was thinking, too, so was thinking I'd do some floral names or tweak the names of existing cocktails. Although Katie, your comment got me thinking...are there any cocktails that involve mushrooms (and I do mean the standard kind...not the magic kind) Or maybe we could do martinis with button mushrooms instead of olives?