Bistros: why are they popular with the locals?

[pierre45]

John Talbot brought up an interesting topic ,namely reasons for the popularity of some bistrots by locals.He felt that once a restaurant is written up by the French media.I,e figaroscope, or discussed on this board.THat restaurant becomes known and popular ,not only by the locals but also by visitors.

My experience has been somewhat different.I don't know how many times i have reserved with no problem after figaroscope gave 3 stars to restaurants .While its nearly impossible to reserve in NY after a positive review of a restaurant by the NY times.

What makes some french restaurants popular with the locals is this.

-Word of mouth

-Reasonable in terms of quality of cuisine

-Friendly owner

-Consistency

Also location plays a role,namely closeness to residential neighborhood.

ITs also obvious that these restaurants will be frequented by visitors ,however their # often is small so that when you walk in you have that feeling of beeing in a place that the french do very well, an authentic french bistrot.

[John Talbott]

John Talbot brought up an interesting topic ,namely reasons for the popularity of some bistrots by locals.He felt that once a restaurant is written up by the French media.I,e  figaroscope, or discussed on this board.THat restaurant becomes known and popular ,not only by the locals but also by visitors.

My experience has been somewhat different.I don't know how many times i have reserved with no problem after figaroscope gave 3 stars to restaurants .While its nearly impossible to reserve in NY after a positive review of a restaurant by the NY times.

What makes some french restaurants popular  with the locals is this.

-Word of mouth

-Reasonable in terms of quality of cuisine

-Friendly owner

-Consistency

Also location plays a role,namely closeness to residential neighborhood.

ITs also obvious that these restaurants will be frequented by visitors ,however their # often is small so that when you walk in you have that feeling of beeing in a place that the french do very well,  an  authentic french bistrot.

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I actually agree with my old friend Pierre. The best time to reserve a table is the day Figaroscope or A Nous Paris appears; because it will be empty, unlike in NY where people scour the trash cans outside the NYT printing facilities for what's hot tmrw.

But I still insist that after a restaurant has been "found," food-inclined folks flock, even here. Today, for instance, was Spring's 1st year anniversary, and the tables were full for lunch in the midst of the most "perfect" strike since 1995. And Daniel Rose isn't accepting reservations until December. Granted, today, the place was 75% AngloSaxon or at least Anglophone, but DR says it varies. When I first went a year ago, it was all locals who followed the Pierre45 rules of:

"-Word of mouth

-Reasonable in terms of quality of cuisine

-Friendly owner

-Consistency"