Trying to be brave in Paris .....

[Mangoe]

I will be going solo to Paris mid April. I was wondering if some restaurants had tasting nights or singles nights. I do not know if that is gauche or tacky.

[BigboyDan]

There's no place to be alone like Paris.

Yep, especially if you're lonely.

You can eat solo at Les Bookinistes and La Regalade - consider a reservation at either: they may make a consideration for you by partnering you with another solo diner (if you were to wish it).

[Megan Blocker]

My french is pretty much ... nothing. Could I still call and reserve using English?

Probably, places with stars have at least one person fluent in English, it's pretty easy to say Reservation - X couverts - Y heures. And if you have a friend or concierge call, it'll make it easier.

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My French is somewhat better than nothing (quite good at one point, a bit rusty these days), but one thing I've never used it for is making a dinner reservation. John (or anyone), if you would be so kind as to give me some hints on the vocab/standard script here, that would be great...I'm about to make some calls today to try and book some dinners for my trip in October.

Merci beaucoup!

[John Talbott]

My French is somewhat better than nothing (quite good at one point, a bit rusty these days), but one thing I've never used it for is making a dinner reservation.  John (or anyone), if you would be so kind as to give me some hints on the vocab/standard script here, that would be great...I'm about to make some calls today to try and book some dinners for my trip in October.

Merci beaucoup!

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Simplest version:

"Bonjour monsieur/madame.

Je voudrais reserver une table pour une/deux/trois/etc pour ce soir à/vers vingt -vingt deux/etc heures.

Oui, une/deux/trois/etc couverts.

Le nom est Blocker.

Fumeur/non-fumeur.

Merci

À ce soir/bientot/toute à l'heure or Au [re]voir."

Now people who genuinely speak French can plunge in.

[John DePaula]

My French is somewhat better than nothing (quite good at one point, a bit rusty these days), but one thing I've never used it for is making a dinner reservation.  John (or anyone), if you would be so kind as to give me some hints on the vocab/standard script here, that would be great...I'm about to make some calls today to try and book some dinners for my trip in October.

Merci beaucoup!

←

Simplest version:

"Bonjour monsieur/madame.

Je voudrais reserver une table pour une/deux/trois/etc pour ce soir à/vers vingt -vingt deux/etc heures.

Oui, une/deux/trois/etc couverts.

Le nom est Blocker.

Fumeur/non-fumeur.

Merci

À ce soir/bientot/toute à l'heure or Au [re]voir."

Now people who genuinely speak French can plunge in.

←

And if you hear the word 'complet(e)' you may have to try elsewhere...

[Megan Blocker]

Thanks, guys! I dove in today and did all right, I think! I did indeed hear a "complete" - Le Comptoir. We'll probably try to walk in.

[John Talbott]

Thanks, guys!  I dove in today and did all right, I think!  I did indeed hear a "complete" - Le Comptoir.    We'll probably try to walk in.

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Well, this probably deserves a new thread on "Where can you call and reserve tonight and get in, even in August?" but as you know from prior discussions of Le Comptoir getting in is not so easy. Certainly you may get in as a walk-up, others have, but I'd have a back up resto or two in case. Good luck!