group dinner in the 13th in fall

[chezcherie]

we will be leading a culinary tour in france this fall, and will be arriving in paris after a week-long barge cruise in avignon/arles/the camargue. we'd like to pre-arrange a group dinner that first evening in paris, as we will arrive in the late afternoon/early evening, and folks will likely be hungry, and won't have a chance to get their bearings until the next day. any suggestions on a good place for a group of about 12, where we could pre-arrange? we'll be staying in the 13th, and would like to stay close that first evening. thanks so much for any suggestions!

[TarteTatin]

L'avant Gout. Very good.

Or, if you'd like a Brasserie, Marty isn't too bad. Very pretty to boot.

[FrogPrincesse]

I second l'Avant Gout, although they may not be able to accomodate a group of 12 people (it's a fairly small restaurant). Also, make sure you book well in advance.

A few additional suggestions in the 13th: L'Ourcine (another bistro which is also small, but excellent). And Le Petit Marguery which is more on the traditional side.

[chezcherie]

thanks so much for the responses. it appears we are going with marty for the first evening as our group may be larger than 12. i will check out l'avant gout on the same trip, with a smaller group. (we've had remarkable response to this trip, and we are very nearly full, seven months out. dare i say it appears that the economy is...no, i won't jinx it!)

[FrogPrincesse]

I ended up spending a few days in Paris two weeks ago and had lunch at l'Avant Gout. I was actually incorrect in my previous post; they have one large table that can accommodate 12 people.

My meal there was excellent. I started off with an artichoke and crab soup (accompanied by a house cocktail, a sparkling wine-based concoction with bitter orange and spices, "Cointreau aux épices et Vouvray pétillant"). I followed with their specialty, which is a delicious pork pot au feu that is cooked with a variety of spices (pot au feu de cochon aux epices). It was a very large entree but I did manage to eat it all in no time. In person it looks better than the picture that I've linked. It's served with sweet potatoes, fennel, and a glass of broth on the side. Now I want to try to replicate it at home (I included a link to the recipe). The service was perfect and I really enjoyed my meal. So if you end up giving this restaurant a try, I don't think that you will be disappointed!