OAKGLEN

Hi Kiliki, the 7th is generally a rather pricey area but there is one restaurant, Le Bistrot du 7eme, 56, bd de Latour-Maubourg (just across the street from the metro of the same name) which offers a three course menu for 16 euros. Lots of choices, including normally expensive dishes such as Escalope de Veal, Salmon and Confit de Carnard. Always packed, call first for a reservation-01 45 51 93 08. A second pick would be Cafe Constant, 139 r. St. Dominique; open all day, and they don't mind if you just order a salad etc. No reservations taken but the wait is usually short. JP

We find the Zagat Paris guide helpful, primarily when searching by arr. or looking for a restaurant open on the weekends etc. The food rating can by "gamed" however; it is not uncommon to see as much as a 5 or 6 point rating change from one issue to the other. Over time these seen to even out; perhaps it simply reflects the limited number of submissions on many of the non-tourist oriented restaurants. JP

The "sweet spot" in Parisian dining, in our opinion, are the "Bib Gourmand" rated restaurants. You can access these Michelin ratings on line on their web site. These restaurants combine great food with reasonable prices (for Paris, that is). I last counted 36 spots, located throughout Paris. Each offers prix-fixe menus at considerable savings as well. Many of the restaurants on this exclusive list are discuss elsewhere on this site. JP

Please don't forget Le Clos de Gourmet, 16,ave Rapp, just a few blocks down from your hotel. This is our current favorite int his part of the 7th. Great prix-fixe menus and cooking on a par with many one star restaurants. Some smattering of French would help here as this is primarily a locals spot.

Hi Louisa; on a recent visit to Cafe Constant I was seated on the bench seat next to a very attractive French terrier who was accompanied by a well dressed, elderly French woman. The dog seemed to like me (no, I didn't offer him/her any surreptitious offerings) but the woman looked at me suspiciously and carefully positioned the dog on her other side. The dog clearly added a note of stately class to this most friendly spot and brought back memories of Paris in years past when it was not uncommon to be seated next to or near a well behaved canine guest. A fun experience! JP

Last month we rented an appartment one block away from Cafe Constant and it became our favorite spot for a kir, a light meal (there is no pressure to order a full three course meal) and just to hang out. Entrees are 7E and plats are 11E. The quality of ingredients is high; the bread is the same as at Chef Constant's Violin de Ingres and all other basics are sourced there. We often saw the staff bringing covered platters over from Violin. The wait staff are young,hip and upbeat. It is not worth a special trip but the concept (highest quality ingredients/no ambiance or extras) works for us. If you want the extras plus outanding cooking for a reasonable price try Clos des Gourmets on avenue Rapp; a Michelin Bib Gourmand, this was our favorite dining spot in this part of the 7th.

Thoumieux (Zagat 13 food rating) is a mystery; very popular with locals, you can eat cheaply with the prix-fixe which would be a mistake, or dine like the locals do on confit and cassoulet. Dany, our driver when we are in Paris, says it is his favorite in the 7th. Our favorite is Clos des Gourmet (Zagat 20 food rating), 16, ave Rapp; the food and presentation is worthy of a Michelin *, the prices are quite reasonable (33E prix-fixe dinner) and full of locals and Parisian businessmen. The staff has minimal English language skills so some ability to converse in French would be helpfull. JP

Hi Dodin, I have enjoyed your reviews on Chowhound. I f you are feeling flush, try a limo service. We found one that is only about 50% more than comparable taxi rates; Write to Dany at Amadeus.driver@wanadoo.fr. He has a small company, about 5 or 6 cars, I believe. You get all the extras like carrying bags up and down stairs etc. And he will be waiting outside while you try all those great restaurants in rapid succession! JP

Your parents would likely enjoy Goumard, 9 rue duphot, in the 1st. Tables are widely spaced, service is attentive and they have excellent seafood specialties. This one star may stretch your budget a bit, but with a reasonable bottle of wine you can do it for close to 100 pp. JP

We ate at Le Cinq when it was a two star; good but not great was our observation. And now it has it's third star...go figure! If you are looking for a Sunday spot please consider Goumard, a one star with excellent "belle cuisine de la mer". Goumard is at 9, rue Duphot, a short walk from the metro Madeleine. They do have a prx-fixe offering but it is limited to one special each day; carte prices are about half of what you would pay at one off the restaurants you noted initially. JP

Ok, I agree with everything you said re L'Ambroise except for the "wit and humour" bit. On our last visit we sat in the front room and all was perfect; that is, almost too perfect. When not serving, our waiter stood against the wall, perfectly posed and clearly observing every move we made. In serving, his every move was measured, with no excess motions; almost like a ballet. He did not smile; nor did I see anyone else smiling at the other tables. Food is the focus here and all were clearly intent on their meal. In a way, I had the same feeling that I get when sitting in the front pew of a church. L'Ambroise is a wonderful, but rather religious, dining experience.

Perhaps the "Best Buy" is Le Bistrot du 7eme, at 56, bvd LaTour Maubourg, just across the street from the metro station of the same name, L.T.M. The prix-fixe meals offer many choices, including some, such as confit de canard and trout, that are at times left off these bargain menus. At 16e for three courses, what's not to like! This place is a local's hangout, so you should reserve, especially for dinner. JP

You have chosen our favorite area; tough to get a bad meal here but it is a "dressier" locale FYI. Your wife may love the three course souffle prix-fixe offering at Le Souffle, just down two blocks on Mont-Thabor. "Best ever" sandwiches at Brasserie Flottes, on rue Cambon; we like the Croque Royale and croque provencal. Your six year old may like their Aligot, a mashed potato dish make with garlic and cheese (superb!). L'Ardoise, also on Mont-Thabor, has great food but tables are close together and they like to turn the tables. If you crave a burger go to Cafe Castiglione, just off st Honore. It's our favorite stop for coffee, biere pression etc. On March st. Honore is Le rubis, the most authentic wine bar in the area. Good wines & decent food in a most informal atmosphere. At the far end of Mont-Thabor is a decent English pub (forgot name). Passy Mardarin on rue d'Antin is quite good as well.

The two star Lasserre, 17 ave. F.D. Roosevelt, is usually open for Sat. lunch. It is my wife's favorite restaurant, as it has all the qualities you are seeking. The prix-fixe offering at 55e is a great value as well. JP

The French/Parisians consider dining out at a starred restaurant to be a serious experience. To fit in, please dress appropriately...a tie is not required usually....but why not dress up? FYI; they do not pass their dining utensils from hand to hand at each bite and always keep both hands on the table. And a bit of friendly "attitude" seems to work. A humorous description of French dining traditions is found in Polly Platt's book, FRENCH OR FOE. I have been doing business in France (primarily in Paris) for 30 years and can attest to the accuracy of her observations. JP

On our last visit in November we had a good meal at Goumard, 9 r. Duphot, in the first arr.. This one star specializes in seafood and the carte menu is reasonably priced. My review is posted on bparis.com (Oops!).

On our last visit we had two courses each, with Kir Royale to start and drank a modest sancerre ($50 or so). The bill came in under $400 for two. Each plate is priced at $50 to $75. Specialty items, such as the Bresse chicken, are at the higher end.