Felice

Actually I haven't been yet, and was just going by what I've read. I've wanted to try it since it's opened and haven't for one reason or another. It's always been booked the few times that I've tried to reserve. I just thought it sounds like a good place for a 27 year old, because the atmosphere is young and branché.

I hope that I’m not breaking any rules by posting, since I’m an EX-employee of Fish, but I thought I could answer a few questions. I worked there for 1 ½ years when I first moved to Paris and probably go once a week as I live in the area. Fish is a great spot and is very unique as it has a strange mix of expats (as Bux mentioned), tourists, and Parisiens, of course. The staff is definitely multi-cultural. The owners are an American (Juan who owns Le Dernier Goûte as mentioned previously) and a New Zealander (Drew, who owns Cosi—the original—across the street—yes, that Cosi which can now be found all over NY) . The chef, Mathew Ong, is in fact British. They have recently brought on two Japanese Sous chefs who are both French trained and worked in some top Paris restaurants. As for the food---it’s quite good and I can honestly say that I’ve always enjoyed everything I’ve had. It’s always a pleasure to work somewhere where people love the food. The menu is printed daily to allow for changes according to what’s in season and they use only the best ingredients. Brad was right about the Picodon, I love it and order it practically every time I’m there. It’s their version of a goat cheese salad, with Picodon ( a type of goat cheese) arugula, pine nuts, and a piment d’espellette dressing.

Yes, I'd love to. Something that I didn't mention on the boards is that I'm originally from Philadelphia and spent most of my Sunday mornings at Carmen's Country Kitchen, which has the BEST breakfast in Philly. Carmen's is definitely one thing I miss about home. And without egullet I would never have known she was in Paris.

I think La Famille in the 18th would be a good choice for one of your nights. It's been given excellent reviews by all of the French press (even made it into Gourmet) and the atmosphere is very hip and young. I think they even have a DJ. I found this about them on epicurious.com http://www.epicurious.com/restaurants/erg/paris/favorites La Famille 41 rue des Trois Frères 75018 Paris 01 42 52 11 12

Well, I had to chime in about Fish since I'm the egulleter who was working the bar when Bux was in. I don't work there any longer though, except every once in a while when they are short-handed and really need someone, since I've gotten a 9-5 type job. But, it really is a fun place and the food is great as well. It's the perfect place to go alone as you can sit at the bar, eat a small plate or a full dinner with a glass of wine and you'll always find someone to talk with if you want. And it's open on Sunday. The clientel is an interesting mix of expats, tourists, and people from the neighborhood. La Dernier Goutte is just around the corner at 6 rue de Bourdon le Chateau. It's such a tiny street though that you can't miss it and it's right on the corner. Has anyone mentionned le Baron Bouge near the marché d'Aligre? On Sundays it's so popular that the crowd spills onto the street.

It's pintade. The English is Guinea Fowl and it tastes pretty much like chicken.

Eek, I'm going to Aux Lyonnaise tonight My 2004 Pudlow guide says that Christophe Saintagne is now the chef and they have deemed it bistro of the year, so I hope things have improved since June. I guess I'll find out.

I checked my Nova Fooding Guide 2004 (a magazine-type guide which comes out once a year) and they don't have too much for the 19th. In the "Trop Bon" category, which are usually my favorites, there's nothing But they do list La Cave Gourmand in the bistro category and they gave it a positive review. The also mention that it's been somewhat inconsistent since Frechon left but that now it's back on track with American chef Marc Singer (la régularité n' a jamais été le fort de cette maison jusqu' à aujourd'hui) , so perhaps all of the bad reviews were during this time. Apparently Frechon's wife was running things for a bit. Nova always has a little blurb in English at the end of each entry and they say " joyous bistro cooking, non-descript décor). They also list L'Hermes, which was mentioned above and say "Award-winning chef, impeccable and personable service".

Okay, I have my reservation for Saturday night at Chiberta My brother is coming for the weekend and for the other two nights I have booked the following: Friday night we are going to Aux Lyonnaise because I wanted something somewhat traditional. Saturday night Chiberta Sunday night Mon Vieil Ami I hope these are good choices as I always agonise over restaurant choices when I have visitors.

Many thanks for this info, I'm might try for a reservation for Saturday and will let you know.

I wonder if it could be just a "group" thing. Was it only when you are with a large group, or even with just a few women? Having been a waitress for a many years in the States and even one in Paris, I can tell you that groups can be more difficult to serve at times and since the Parisien waiter has no real incentive (meaning extra $$) to ensure good service he might end up giving you poor service. Groups (meaning more than 4-6) can be more difficult because every one is usually busy having a good time and doesn't pay much attention to the waiter. Ordering seems to take longer, half the group isn't ready to order when the other half says there are, nobody remembers what they ordered when the food arrives and all that kind of stuff. Also, waiters in Paris generally have way too many tables and so any extra time spent at the table can put you in the "weeds". In the US I generally had 4-5 tables, whereas in Paris I had as many as 10 and no support staff like bussers, runners, etc. So many waiters might come off as gruff, but really they are just way too busy to be nice.

Fresh_a--could you give me an idea the price? My brother is visiting this weekend and I am trying to think of a place for Friday night which would be near his hotel and maybe this would be a good choice. It's the first night he's here though, so he'll probably be pretty exhausted. I guess it might be difficult to get a table though.

I've been to Chez Louisette as well, but just for a drink and loved it. I think Elvis was singing when I was there. The worst meal I've had was probably on Rue Mouffetard. I was dining with a friend who insitsted on eating there and I said okay, against my better judgement. It was not even edible. I don't remember which restaurant it was, but I'm guessing they are all pretty bad. I had a pretty terrible meal at Brasserie Lipp as well

Margaret, You never posted your thoughts on Oursine.... I've booked for this Saturday and wanted to see if any one else has tried it besides John.

If you like cheap ethnic food head to the Rue Sainte Anne where you'll find lots of little Japanese restaurants. I went to a one with a Japanese friend where we had big bowls of noodle soup and she was in heaven saying it was just like home. I can't remember the name of it (cause it's in Japanese), but it's a little hole in the wall sort of place that's on the left side as you walk north on rue Sainte Anne going toward the Opera. You'll know it because there is usually a line out the door. But, I've tried other places as well and have always been happy. And I'm a big L'AS fan as well

And just in case anyone is interested, Ze Kitchen has cooking classes on Thursday (I think) afternoons, or at least they did last year.

Where is it located Fresh_A?

Les Bookinistes is definitely still there and yes it's right on the corner by the Quai on rue des Grands Augustines in the 6th. Ze Kitchen is right next door on rue des Grands Augustines. I've been to both in the past year and loved both of them. Ze Kitchen is more modern and would be considered "fusion"cuisine. I think a day or two in advance should be fine for reservations.

I love Caves Miard in the 6th, but it's NEVER mentionned in any quides for some reason. It's a beautiful old cremerie which has been transformed into a tiny wine shop/wine bar. They only have a few tables, so I suppose it's good that it's not very well known. They serve small plates like wonderful cured ham that they slice in front of you and different cheeses. Caves Miard 9 rue 4 Vents 75006 M: Odeon Open: Monday-Saturday And Freckles I would love to join you for a glass of wine one night and will send you a PM.

I went to Poissonnerie le Dome tonight and it's closed for les vacances and won't reopen until the 24th. I looked in my little book " Cuisiner Comme un Chef à Paris" which lists where to get the best products and here are their top suggestions. Poissonnerie Lacroix: 30 rue Rambuteau, 3eme. 01 42 72- 84-07 They say it has a fraicheur irreprochable Poissonerie du Bac, 69 rue de Bac, 7eme. 01-45-48-06-64 Issus de la peche artisanale--fraicheur et qualité incomparables. La Sablaise, 28 rue Cler 7eme. 01-45-51-61-78 Here they say you will not find better qualitie elsewhere and that the fish can be prepared " en sushi" if you'd like. Le Dome is listed as well and they say that they provide fish for many of Paris's best restauants.

The best fish monger that I know of (and I'm sure there are others) is Le Dome's on rue Delambre in the 14th, right off of blvd Montparnasse. It's right next to their celebrated restaurant. I have read many times that it is one of the best in Paris and have always found the fish there to be wonderful.

Here's what my Robert French dictionary says for gourmand and gourmet Gourmand, Gourmande: 1. Oui aime la bonne nourriture, mange par plaisir. Elle est gourmande. (so one who likes good food and eats for pleasure). They give the synonyms gastronome and gourmet. 2. avid--qui a un desir immodere de nourriture--glutton, vorace 3. oui exige trop d'argent dans une affaire. (one who desires too much money) Gourmet: Personne qui sait apprecier le raffinement en matiere de boire et de manger. One who knows how to appreciate the refinement in matters of drinking and eating. So it seems that one can be a gourmand without being a gourmet.

Don't forget that if you went before 8 or 8.30pm, chances are it will always be all tourists. In the restaurant where I worked in Paris, we had two seatings: those who arrived between 7-8pm were almost 100% tourists, then at 8:30-9:00pm it was mostly French. So, if you were there early that could explain why it was only Americans and British, perhaps the French arrive later.

I'm not so sure there is one neighborhood that will fill your request. If you stay in either the 6th, 5th you will be near lots of restaurants and a few good markets, but I can't say there are a concentration of outstanding ones in either. Some of the best restaurants can be found in out of the way neighborhoods that are far from the tourist hub. If you stay near the Odeon metro in the 6th (my hood, incidentally) you will find many good restaurants and have a small market on rue de Buci, with a butcher, fruit and vegetable stand, cheese shop, and Da Rosa, which has a variety of excellent products. There's also an amazing oil shop on rue Jacob, however that said, it's not really my favorite market and I will often go a bit further to either the Edgar Quinet market or the Marché biologique on Sundays on blvd Raspail. Both are still in the 6th, but a good 20-minute walk away. There are many hotels in this area as well, in all price ranges.

This is definitely true. Being overweight in France (Paris anyway) is a definite no-no. I was very surprised to hear my French boyfriend's family commenting on his sister's weight. She had just had a baby and everyone was commenting that she needed to loose the weight she had put on during her pregnancy. They came right out and said she was looking fat and should watch what she was eating. And the sizes here are so tiny, I can't imagine where you would shop if you had a weight problem. I have friends who would not be considered overweight at home, but who have difficulty finding clothes in Paris because the sizes seem much smaller.