Honeymoon in Paris

[NYCdrew]

I am spending the last two nights of my honeymoon in Paris at the George V before heading back to NYC. I am looking for dinning suggestions to cap off our 2 week trip. I do not plan on bring a suit so am afraid that all of the high end restaurants are out of the question. We are looking for very good bistros or brasseries (cost is not a concern). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Claude Kolm/The Fine Wine Review]

What nights of the week are you talking about?

[NYCdrew]

We will be in Paris on a Friday and Saturday night.

[Claude Kolm/The Fine Wine Review]

Drew -- For Saturday night , see the thread below entitled "Saturday dinner in Paris." (I'm not sure you'd feel comfortable in L'Astrance without coat and tie but the other suggestions should be no problem.) For Friday night, you have a much wider choice. Look at the thread "Paris 4th Bistros." But there are so many other possibilities!

I probably would take Chez Josephine and La Regalade, but that's just a personal choice. Give us a better idea of what you are looking for and maybe we can be more specific.

Best regards,

Claude Kolm

The Fine Wine Review

Edited April 4, 2003 by Claude Kolm/The Fine Wine Review (log)

[pirate]

If you're staying at Four Seasons/ George V by all means go to their 3-star restaurant. They'll provide you with a jacket and the wait staff will treat you better. Debrouillardism works!

[Bux]

When you say "not bringing a suit" does that also rule out sport jacket or blazer? Paris is not as formal as it used to be. In fact, I've been told that some men show up at Ducasse in a sweater, not that I'd advocate you should do the same and feel comfortable about it. Nevertheless a sport coat will usually get you by in most places. Everyone eating in Ducasse the night I was there was wearing a jacket and probably a tie, but I'm not sure about the latter, however I have seen some really casual and sloppy attire in some places where I wouldn't expect it. Once again, I'm not advocating sloppiness.

PS

Besides, don't you have to sleep with tie and pajamas at the Georges V?

[mogsob]

I have seen diners at Guy Savoy sans jacket and tie. I even saw someone in jeans!

[fresh_a]

..and I'm sure all the other diners looking for a really elegant experience appreciated that jerk..

[mogsob]

Well, to be fair, he sat down late (at least 10:30) and was wearing an Hermes scarf (or so it appeared) as a cravat.

[Bux]

I've seen Frenchmen look more elegant in jeans than Americans in dark suits.

[fresh_a]

True enough.

But jeans in a three macaron is kinda taking the piss, as they say...

[bugsy]

we used partricia wells web site and it was RIGHT ON last nov

[Bux]

True enough.

But jeans in a three macaron is kinda taking the piss, as they say...

I'm inclined to agree, at least in Paris. On the other hand, I've been surprised at how casually the French dress in the provinces even at three star restaurants. I doubt if more than half the men at Michel Bras were wearing jackets, let alone ties, last spring.

The most surprisingly sloppy attire we saw was in Petrossian, admittedly only a one star when we were there, but still seemingly an upscale room.

[pirate]

If you're dining in Paris and not wearing a custom made Adriano Cifonelli suit you're obviously outr\'e.

[Bux]

If you're dining in Paris and not wearing a custom made Adriano Cifonelli suit you're obviously outr\'e.

That would account for my preference for the provinces.

[fresh_a]

Too bad! I, for one, love to get all dressed up for a nice, memorable dinner. It adds to the experience.

I understand, in seeing much of my clientelle here in Paris, that the people who don't dress the part (to the extent of wearing jeans,etc) tend to be the wealthy ones , who do what they want, and don't give a crap about what others think. Ex: "If I can pay the bill, I wear what I damn well please" (I heard a client say once). Sad but true.

Edited April 10, 2003 by fresh_a (log)

[Bux]

Too bad! I, for one, love to get all dressed up for a nice, memorable dinner. It adds to the experience.

I understand, in seeing much of my clientelle here in Paris, that the people who don't dress the part (to the extent of wearing jeans,etc) tend to be the wealthy ones , who do what they want, and don't give a crap about what others think. Ex: "If I can pay the bill, I wear what I damn well please" (I heard a client say once). Sad but true.

Don't get me wrong. There are times when I enjoy getting dressed for dinner as well and often, although not as often as my wife, deplore the current state of dress seen in NY's best restaurants. My comment (with smiley) was only in regard to the post about needing a hand tailored custom made suit. Still, as you note, when the super rich and the trendy rich arrive in jeans, one often wonders about the point of dressing up at all. Sometimes I feel I wear a coat and tie more to express some respect for the chef and his restaurant than for my own emjoyment, but I also find that a valid reason. Once on a scorchingly hot and humid day in NYC, I thought it was ludicrous to wear a tie and jacket. I called the restaurant to ask about the dress code and was told in such a pleasant manner that jackets and ties were preferred, but that in light of the weather they were understanding about dress. I was so impressed with their manner that I showed up wearing jacket and tie.

Most of our travel in Europe involves a lot of country driving as well as a few days in a major city and I find I make compromises. I need versatile clothing and packable clothing. A business suit is going to be limited to use in a multistarred restaurant in Paris, while a blazer, or even a sport coat will serve a broader spectrum of uses depending on the shirt and pants with which it is paired. Even among three star restaurants, there are degrees of appropriate formality. Rarely however will I feel underdressed in a navy blazer and wool slacks.

[pirate]

As arbiter elegantiae I might accept a well cut cashmere blazer with an authentic club insignia plus precious metal buttons and cashmere slacks

[Bux]

As arbiter elegantiae I might accept a well cut cashmere blazer with an authentic club insignia plus precious metal buttons  and cashmere slacks

That would account for my preference for the provinces.

[NYCdrew]

I decided to bring a suit to open more options and have my search narrowed. Would love to hear comments on the combination of restaurants as I have read numerous posts about the individual restaurants.

Friday Night-- Either Aux Lyonnais, Benoit, La regalade or Chez Michel

Saturday Night - Either L'Astrance(if hotel can get me a reservation), Tallivent or Le Cinq (in my hotel)

[pirate]

Benoit, LeCinq

[Bux]

Based on visits that were not recent -- La Regalade over Chez Michel, but I hear La Regalade has become too popular and worse yet popular with tourists. Chez Michel seems to be out of the way and more local. Le Cinq would be the most compelling of the second group for me, but l'Astrance should be of high interest. L'Astrance is the only one of those three in which I've eaten, but chef driven restaurants usually get my attention before those that reflect an owner's philosophy. Then again that may change as I've found myself enjoying regional and traditional restaurants whose chefs are not stars lately. The joys of eating out are the options, except when you're in a foreign city with many options and you're there for a limited time.

[Beachfan]

Separate from food, I highly recommend the Moulin Rouge. I avoided it for 22 years thinking it was a tourist trap. It is loaded with tourists, but it's the sexiest, funniest, grooviest show of it's type worldwide.

A very modest tip will get you seating right up front (way, way up front), which is where you want to be.

Not cheap but worth every penny.

[NYCdrew]

Bux--

So true. Two nights in Paris does not come close to scratching the surface. I have lived in NYC for years and there are still places on my list. My wish for those 2 nights in Paris is to end my honeymoon with two memorable meals.

[Bux]

Two nights in Paris? Hell, we just spent two nights in Sevilla -- a town not noted for its restaurants -- and we couldn't make it to most of the tapas bars we wanted to try. Travel is frustrating work, but someone has to do it. Of course there's always the next trip. Even if they never opened another restaurant in the world, I could probably spend a year (and need a mortgage on my place) and not catch all the restaurants that got away.