Paris: booking a table on-line

[Hallie]

I'll be in Paris on Saturday night and, having come across the problem of finding restaurants either totally booked up or closed on that day, I thought I'd try to book one in advance.

Problem no. 1: My French is only passable and I don't feel confident that any maitre d' would humour me over the telephone for very long.

Problem no. 2: I'm not quite sure where to go for a good modern French meal in or around the 4th (where we are staying) for no more than roughly 40 Euros per head.

Proposed resolution: book a restaurant on-line. London benefits greatly by Toptable.co.uk (they only list a handful of restaurant in Paris) - is there a website like this for Parisian restaurants or am I asking for the impossible?

Any suggestions for restaurants or websites are most welcome.

[AdamLawrence]

The Gault-Millau websitehas an online booking option, which appears to be powered by another site called alloresto. On the other hand, the site is only in French . I haven't used it, and so couldn't swear to its efficacy, but the fact that the services available for booking seem to change regularly suggests that it should be OK.

Adam

[fresh_a]

I would forget about booking online, get a good guidebook or a few, and send a fax (even in English is ok) or call them... most will speak some English.

[menton1]

Actually there is a very good service either on line or by phone, alot of French people even use it. They speak English or French. Not just for tourists-- They have 10 categories, from Haute Cuisine, to Nouvelle, to Bistros. The service is very efficient, and they wilkl confirm by email if you wish. A very good tool for a short-notice reservation. Here is the website: Reserve the Best

Bon chance!!

Edited March 18, 2003 by menton1 (log)

[42390]

I am arriving in Paris next week and have successfully booked the

following restaurants by email or through their web sites:

Hiramatsu

Grand Vefour

L'Angle du Faubourg

Jamin

l'Epi Dupin

I think it is much more conveniet than faxing or phone calls. The online

Michelin Red Guide has email addresses for some, although not nearly

all, of the starred and Bibb Gourmand restaurants.

[fresh_a]

Actually, "Reserve the Best" is a guide that tries to sell advertising, and all of the establishments in it have paid to be in the guide, as far as I know.

Although the pictures are good, there are is no critical backbone, and the book is aimed at American tourists. I don't know of a single French person who uses it.

All my Concierge friends toss it in the "poubelle" in favor of better guides...

[David Bizer]

I just checked out the website. www.reservethebest.com

There are more than a handful of good restaurants. There are also several Michelin three stars, Guy Savoy baby bistros, and L'angle du Faubourg (Taillevent baby).

It can't be all that bad.

[Hallie]

The online

Michelin Red Guide has email addresses for some, although not nearly

all, of the starred and Bibb Gourmand restaurants.

I've just searched in vain for the on-line version of the Michelin Red Guide - do you have the web site address?

[David Bizer]

Voila: http://www.viamichelin.com/

[menton1]

The fact that Reserve the Best takes advertising support does not mean that it is not a good source for making a restaurant reservation. We see advertising everywhere; and the fact that the French use this as well shows that it is a credible way to make a reservation. As David pointed out, there are some big names in there (As well as some very good bistros and brasseries less well known).

In New York, there is a service called Open Table, that is very good for reserving a table and it takes advertising. (Not nearly as big a selection of restaurants as Reserve the Best).

Perhaps the best way to use this service is to find the restaurant you wish in a "credible" source and then reserve a table with RTB. You do not have to use it as a restaurant guide, just as a reservation service!

Edited March 19, 2003 by menton1 (log)

[fresh_a]

Sure, everyone does advertising, but with this guide, you are not IN IT, unless you pay for the page...As I said before , it has good photos, and gives a general idea of the establishments portrayed, but you said it was "not just for tourists", and that French people use it, which is , in my experience , simply not true.. I know the person who puts out this guide, because he tries to sell it to my hotel, for "tourists". The French use the Michelin, Gault Milaut or other "French" guides....

[menton1]

What is the objection to using RTB strictly as a reservation service when you know where you want to go?

[fresh_a]

No objections with that whatsoever..but if you already know where you want to go, you call or send a fax. My cooments only pertained to the comments saying this was not a "tourist" guide and that it was popular with the French, that's all...