Please help with Paris restaurants

[SMMiller]

I enjoy reading John T's reviews and others posted here. We are stopping over in Paris for a 3-4 days in early July on our way to South Africa. We'll be gone a month so I need to be careful with our Euros. I had found one post where John had listed his top tables in Paris, but now I can't find it. I've been sorting through his reviews and others and now I would like some advice.

I'm looking for 4-6 places to work with (assuming that we will fail to get a table at some) where we will have a good variety of cooking and where the bill will be $125 euros or less on average. If one goes past $150 and another is under $100 we'll be fine.

Our palate has been improving (it's hard not to living in Portland Oregon). The best meal we've had in Paris was Le Troquet 3+ years ago.

Some of the names that stuck out from reviews I have read here include:

Spring

l'Accolade

Le Versance

Les Fines Gueules

Les Fables of Fontaine

Le Grand Pan

We don't speak the language (yet). We are willing to go pretty much anywhere to eat a great meal. Out of the way hard to find... love it.

If you have others to add to the list or any other helpful tips I appreciate it.

[Dave Hatfield]

I enjoy reading John T's reviews and others posted here.    We are stopping over in Paris for a 3-4 days in early July on our way to South Africa.  We'll be gone a month so I need to be careful with our Euros.  I had found one post where John had listed his top tables in Paris, but now I can't find it.  I've been sorting through his reviews and others and now I would like some advice.

I'm looking for 4-6 places to work with (assuming that we will fail to get a table at some) where we will have a good variety of cooking and where the bill will be $125 euros or less on average.  If one goes past $150 and another is under $100 we'll be fine.

Our palate has been improving (it's  hard not to living in Portland Oregon).  The best meal we've had in Paris was Le Troquet 3+ years ago.

Some of the names that stuck out from reviews I have read here include:

Spring

l'Accolade

Le Versance

Les Fines Gueules

Les Fables of Fontaine

Le Grand Pan

We don't speak the language (yet). We are willing to go pretty much anywhere to eat a great meal.  Out of the way hard to find... love it.

If you have others to add to the list or any other helpful tips I appreciate it.

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Think John's away, but try here for list of restaurants.

[John Talbott]

Think John's away

Not away, just kipping. And thanks for posting this great question, which is typical of the queries I get all the time, so I think it's on a lot of people's minds.

Spring

l'Accolade

Le Versance

Les Fines Gueules

Les Fables of Fontaine

Le Grand Pan

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Spring, Versance + Fables I've been too often enough to be sure of the quality, I'll be at the Grand Pan again in two weeks so I'll hold off a final OK til then and l'Accolade + Les Fines Gueules I've only been to once. I continue to love Ze Kitchen Galerie, Chez les Anges + Drouant though.

[Busboy]

I don't get to Paris too often (all Parisians-in-spirit should catch the movie Paris Je t'Aime, btw) but when I do, I always picnic at least one evening. To me, hitting the traiteur and boulangerie and patisserie and... and assembling a wonderful meal to eat on the banks of the Seine or in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower is as much a part of France's extraordinary dining culture as eating in a classic bistro or 3-start temple. And there's no restaurant with a better view than you have sitting on the quais across from Notre Dame. Plus, its cheap, and you can use the money you saved to upgrade one of your subsequent meals.

[cbionic]

John, I am in Paris for the first time. I have a couple fo days left and am looking for a few don't miss places to eat and get a drink after dinner. I'd greatly appreciate your or any other's feedback. Thanks

[John Talbott]

John,  I am in Paris for the first time.  I have a couple fo days left and am looking for a few don't miss places to eat and get a drink after dinner.  I'd greatly appreciate your or any other's feedback.  Thanks

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I'm not quite clear about your question.

Do you want more or other types of places than are listed upthread?

Are you looking for the elegant Gagnaire, Meurice, Bristol, Lancaster, Astrance, Ambrosie-level experience; or the step-down in decor but sidestep in cuisine Dominique Bouchet, Violin d'Ingres, Thierry Burlot-one; or the more informal Cerisaie, Comptoir, Villaret-sort? All could be "don't miss" experiences.

Finally, if you're looking for a place to stop for a glass of wine, check out our compendium and its topics; in my book, Cremerie, Enfants Rouges, Fines Gueules are all nice.

[twhalliii]

This is very helpful... I am coming to Paris for the first time in October with my soon to be Mrs. for our (delayed) honeymoon; We're getting married in August but want to see Paris in the autumn. We are very interested in Comptoir du Relais (which I understand I should book asap, but I'm nervous to call as my French is non-existent) but I have a strange question.

A couple of years ago, I read an article in the NY Times about a small restaurant that was opened by a former starred chef and his wife. The photo in the paper made it seem like an almost cave-like pub, and my understanding was they specialized in offal and meats; Was he a butcher? a Chef? I don't remember. All I remember is that it was small, the couple seemed older, and it looked the epitome of my own romantic ideal of Paris and dining. I CANNOT for the life of me remember the place, but reading about Comptoir du Relais, it sounds just like it. Looking at the photos online, it just doesn't seem to be the place... Comptoir looks more like a bistro than the ancient pub I am thinking of... Or is it in my imagination?

Any help or advice is much appreciated on this one.

[twhalliii]

This is very helpful... I am coming to Paris for the first time in October with my soon to be Mrs. for our (delayed) honeymoon; We're getting married in August but want to see Paris in the autumn. We are very interested in Comptoir du Relais (which I understand I should book asap, but I'm nervous to call as my French is non-existent) but I have a strange question.

A couple of years ago, I read an article in the NY Times about a small restaurant that was opened by a former starred chef and his wife. The photo in the paper made it seem like an almost cave-like pub, and my understanding was they specialized in offal and meats; Was he a butcher? a Chef? I don't remember. All I remember is that it was small, the couple seemed older, and it looked the epitome of my own romantic ideal of Paris and dining. I CANNOT for the life of me remember the place, but reading about Comptoir du Relais, it sounds just like it. Looking at the photos online, it just doesn't seem to be the place... Comptoir looks more like a bistro than the ancient pub I am thinking of... Or is it in my imagination?

Any help or advice is much appreciated on this one.

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Any one have any idea what I'm talking about? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[John Talbott]

This is very helpful... I am coming to Paris for the first time in October with my soon to be Mrs. for our (delayed) honeymoon; We're getting married in August but want to see Paris in the autumn. We are very interested in Comptoir du Relais (which I understand I should book asap, but I'm nervous to call as my French is non-existent) but I have a strange question.

A couple of years ago, I read an article in the NY Times about a small restaurant that was opened by a former starred chef and his wife. The photo in the paper made it seem like an almost cave-like pub, and my understanding was they specialized in offal and meats; Was he a butcher? a Chef? I don't remember. All I remember is that it was small, the couple seemed older, and it looked the epitome of my own romantic ideal of Paris and dining. I CANNOT for the life of me remember the place, but reading about Comptoir du Relais, it sounds just like it. Looking at the photos online, it just doesn't seem to be the place... Comptoir looks more like a bistro than the ancient pub I am thinking of... Or is it in my imagination?

Any help or advice is much appreciated on this one.

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Any one have any idea what I'm talking about? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

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It's not that we're not listening, twhalliii, we just haven't clicked into it yet. A lot of small restos are started by a husband and wife; but the "cave-like pub" doesn't ring a bell; chefs who worked in starred places who've moved to smaller spaces could include Dominique Bouchet, Christian Constant or Yves Camdeborde - you might try to Google/NYT them and see what pops up.

[twhalliii]

It's not that we're not listening, twhalliii, we just haven't clicked into it yet.  A lot of small restos are started by a husband and wife; but the "cave-like pub" doesn't ring a bell; chefs who worked in starred places who've moved to smaller spaces could include Dominique Bouchet, Christian Constant or Yves Camdeborde - you might try to Google/NYT them and see what pops up.

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Thanks John... I'll keep digging. Big communal table ringing anyone's bell? Maybe I'm crazy...

[John Talbott]

It's not that we're not listening, twhalliii, we just haven't clicked into it yet.  A lot of small restos are started by a husband and wife; but the "cave-like pub" doesn't ring a bell; chefs who worked in starred places who've moved to smaller spaces could include Dominique Bouchet, Christian Constant or Yves Camdeborde - you might try to Google/NYT them and see what pops up.

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Thanks John... I'll keep digging. Big communal table ringing anyone's bell? Maybe I'm crazy...

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There are big communal tables at two places that might qualify: Mon Viel Ami, that is somewhat cave like and was started by a starred chef (Westermann) but I'm not sure about the wife; and Christian and Catherine Constant renovated Le Violin d'Ingres which now has a communal table but it's not cave-like.

[twhalliii]

It's not that we're not listening, twhalliii, we just haven't clicked into it yet.  A lot of small restos are started by a husband and wife; but the "cave-like pub" doesn't ring a bell; chefs who worked in starred places who've moved to smaller spaces could include Dominique Bouchet, Christian Constant or Yves Camdeborde - you might try to Google/NYT them and see what pops up.

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Thanks John... I'll keep digging. Big communal table ringing anyone's bell? Maybe I'm crazy...

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There are big communal tables at two places that might qualify: Mon Viel Ami, that is somewhat cave like and was started by a starred chef (Westermann) but I'm not sure about the wife; and Christian and Catherine Constant renovated Le Violin d'Ingres which now has a communal table but it's not cave-like.

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Again, thank you for entertaining my vague references... I will look at these and again, THANK YOU!

[prasantrin]

Thanks John... I'll keep digging. Big communal table ringing anyone's bell? Maybe I'm crazy...

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Have you tried searching the NYTimes archive? Travel/restaurant articles which are in the archive are available to read for free (as opposed to other archived articles for which you have to pay).

[twhalliii]

Thanks John... I'll keep digging. Big communal table ringing anyone's bell? Maybe I'm crazy...

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Have you tried searching the NYTimes archive? Travel/restaurant articles which are in the archive are available to read for free (as opposed to other archived articles for which you have to pay).

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Thank you... Yes, I've dug, but so far no luck. Again, I could be dreaming (as I am often dreaming of Paris).

[Pille]

It's not that we're not listening, twhalliii, we just haven't clicked into it yet.  A lot of small restos are started by a husband and wife; but the "cave-like pub" doesn't ring a bell; chefs who worked in starred places who've moved to smaller spaces could include Dominique Bouchet, Christian Constant or Yves Camdeborde - you might try to Google/NYT them and see what pops up.

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Thanks John... I'll keep digging. Big communal table ringing anyone's bell? Maybe I'm crazy...

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I had a great meal at La Cave de l'Os à Moëlle just over a year ago (see here), and would definitely go back, as it was such an incredibly good value for money as well. It's cave-like and has communal tables, and a good wine cellar, but I cannot remember a team of husband & wife

[John Talbott]

I had a great meal at La Cave de l'Os à Moëlle just over a year ago (see here), and would definitely go back, as it was such an incredibly good value for money as well. It's cave-like and has communal tables, and a good wine cellar, but I cannot remember a team of husband & wife

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Not a bad idea.

Thank you... Yes, I've dug, but so far no luck. Again, I could be dreaming (as I am often dreaming of Paris).

I too tried the NYT with no results.

[prashant]

BTW, I'll also throw in the hat for Ze Kitchen Galerie. Despite our dietary restrictions [vegetarian], my wife and I had an excellent meal there during our trip to Paris a couple months ago.

[reid]

I will be in Paris for a day and will be meeting a friend for lunch. Any recommendations? I will be casually dressed so that needs to be taken into consideration.