Where to go?

[raisab]

For those of you who know me, I will start flying within the US as of Setember 1st. Family obligations are forcing me to stay closer to home. My Last trip to Paris (with work) will be August 26th.

My dilemna: If you had to choose a restaurant that is not Haute and within the perpherique for a final meal , where would you go? I want to have fun.

Please let me know your thoughts. A good friend has mentioned some excellent choices, but I need more!

Edited August 17, 2006 by raisab (log)

[John Talbott]

For those of you who know me, I will start flying within the US as of Setember 1st. Family obligations are forcing me to stay closer to home. My Last trip to Paris (with work) will be August 26th.

My dilemna: If you had to choose a restaurant that is not Haute and within the perpherique for a final meal , where would you go? I want to have fun.

Please let me know your thoughts. A good friend has mentioned some excellent choices, but I need more!

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Sorry you'll be off the Paris route.

Your question is so complex, or its answer is.

My number one pleasure day in and day out currently is Ze; in fact I wrote a rhapsody about it on Bonjour Paris. I also think that for haute cuisine at not haute cuisine prices Dominique Bouchet delivers the very best ratio of product and quality to price. For a down and dirty evening with lots of wine and fun - Les Papilles.

Ah, what else? - how about your old favorite - Villaret? - my eating chum ate there a few weeks ago for the umpteenth time and said it's as good as ever. And we loved Thierry Burlot again (time #6 or so) in July. Oh, oh, oh, and maybe the best meal of the summer, however, was one at Les Magnolias; while it's 1 mile from the Chateau de Vincennes Metro stop and outside the peripherique, it's easy enough to walk or take either the bus or RER to.

Have fun and report back on your "last supper."

[Champagne Sadie]

Er, it's about a 3 minute walk if you go to Nogent-le-Perreux RER stop.

It's a very worthwhile trip from the city.

Les Magnolias; while it's 1 mile from the Chateau de Vincennes Metro stop and outside the peripherique, it's easy enough to walk or take either the bus or RER to.

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[Margaret Pilgrim]

I'm glad I'm not having to make your choice. But Les Magnolias really does sound like a memorable room for your occasion: a little off-center in terms of both location and cuisine. And, of course, unless you are going for a hearty lunch, do take the RER to Nogent-le-Perreux as C. Sadie recommends. (I think you know that! )

[Felice]

I loved Magnolias as well, but realise with jetlag and only a one night stop over, you might want to stay closer to your hotel. Two of my favorite meals in the last few months have been Chateaubriand and L’Ami Jean. Or what about Atelier de Joel Robuchon, that might be a fun last night in Paris, especially if you’re alone.

You may be limited in your choices as well because some restaurants won’t reopen until September unfortunately.

[John Talbott]

I'm glad I'm not having to make your choice.  But Les Magnolias really does sound like a memorable room for your occasion: a little off-center in terms of both location and cuisine.  And, of course, unless you are going for a hearty lunch, do take the RER to Nogent-le-Perreux as C. Sadie recommends.  (I think you know that!  )

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I really should print a caution on all my posts saying that 99% of the time I eat out at lunchtime so when I was talking about walking I was meaning in daylight. I tend to take the RER out too but walk back or most of the way back.

For completeness's sake let me say that one reason to walk - in the daytime mind you - is that you can go past the repository of some of the metal structures saved from the original Les Halles in the 1970's. The address escapes me but it's up the hill from Nogent.

Felice was being diplomatic about eating alone at l'Atelier de; it's wonderful food but if you're over 2 persons forget conversation.

In any case Raisa, report back.

[raisab]

ShortList: L'Atelier et Les Papilles.

I have walked by L'Atelier countless times, do I need a reservation? If I am by myself I will go L'Atelier, if I can convince one of my coworkers we will go to Les Papilles, reservations willing.

John, I LOVE your new picture!

[John Talbott]

ShortList: L'Atelier et Les Papilles.

I have walked by L'Atelier countless times, do I need a reservation?  If I am by myself I will go L'Atelier, if I can convince one of my coworkers we will go to Les Papilles, reservations willing.

John, I LOVE your new picture!

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Yes for both, recall too that at l'Atelier, the door has no handles and swings out so even tho it looks like it's closed, it's not.

[Felice]

I have walked by L'Atelier countless times, do I need a reservation? 

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I'm pretty sure that they don't take reservations at L'Atelier, only walk-ins.

[John Talbott]

I have walked by L'Atelier countless times, do I need a reservation? 

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I'm pretty sure that they don't take reservations at L'Atelier, only walk-ins.

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Never one to disagree with Felice I do recall making a reservation for an early seating and the Times article says they do for 11:30 and 6:30; I'd telephone to double-check whenever you plan to go; maybe their policy has changed since I've been last.

[Fai Jackson]

I have walked by L'Atelier countless times, do I need a reservation? 

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I'm pretty sure that they don't take reservations at L'Atelier, only walk-ins.

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Never one to disagree with Felice I do recall making a reservation for an early seating and the Times article says they do for 11:30 and 6:30; I'd telephone to double-check whenever you plan to go; maybe their policy has changed since I've been last.

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You are correct, they take reservations for the early seating. But you usually can show up early and get a seat. As a matter of fact, I just read someone's report--this time of year (august) it is not difficult to get seated.

[raisab]

6:30 in the evening? I did not know any restaurant was opened at that time in Paris! Would 21:00 be an acceptable time at L'Atelier also?

[John Talbott]

6:30 in the evening? I did not know any restaurant was opened at that  time in Paris! Would 21:00 be an acceptable time at L'Atelier also?

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I'm sure and Fai is right, it's deadsville until the rentree.

[raisab]

Merci a Dieu pour le rentree! Papilles opened today, I have made reservations for tomorrow. I am bringing my daughter with me on this trip, so it will be a girls night out. Boy she has a good life!

[Felice]

Merci a Dieu pour le rentree! Papilles opened today, I have made reservations for tomorrow. I am bringing my daughter with me on this trip, so it will be a girls night out. Boy she has a good life!

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Have an amazing time Raisab!

It's good to hear that things are opening back up. I have a dinner I'm organising next week and was worried that places would still be closed.

Please let us know how it was. I think they have changed chefs in the last few months and I haven't been back since the change. The owner, who was the pastry chef at Taillevent, is still there of course, so I'm sure it will be just as good.

[Marianne]

Is has indeed been quite frustating to find around 90% of my favorite restaurants and bistrots closed last week. Oh well, at least I got plenty of exercise walking to and fro, trying to find myself a good lunch. I did notice, however, that a great deal of posts on the doors mentioned opening up again this week (unfortunately I had to come back home yesterday). Have a great meal Raisab, I've really enjoyed yours posts on this site.

[raisab]

I have a truly embarrasing story to tell. On this last trip the loads were light so I was bringing my 13 year old daughter with me. We got to the airport where she checked in by herself and got a seat. We met up at security, walked to the front of the line (slight perk), I help up my ID and then I screamed! Instead of placing my airline id around my neck, I had placed my marina parking pass on! It was rush h0ur and there was no way to go back home and get my id! Usually it would be no problem to travel without it as long as I had a company letter verifying employment, but with the latest terrorist threat in London, this option has been eliminated.

So I missed my trip, I missed my dinner, and I missed Paris. The worst part is, I forgot to cancel my reservation! I would normally never forget to do this but I was so flustered that it completely slipped my mind! (this was a $2000 mistake I made!)

The good news is, I am spending Christmas in Paris. I need new ideas to fill that week!

Edited September 8, 2006 by raisab (log)

[John Talbott]

I have a truly embarrasing story to tell. On this last trip the loads were light so I was bringing my 13 year old daughter with me. We got to the airport where she checked in by herself and got a seat. We met up at security, walked to the front of the line (slight perk), I help up my ID and then I screamed! Instead of placing my airline id around my neck, I had placed my marina parking pass on! It was rush h0ur and there was no way to go back home and get my id! Usually it would be no problem to travel without it as long as I had a company letter verifying employment, but with the latest terrorist threat in London, this option has been eliminated.

So I missed my trip, I missed my dinner, and I missed Paris. The worst part is, I forgot to cancel my reservation! I would normally never forget to do this but I was so flustered that it completely slipped my mind! (this was a $2000 mistake I made!)

The good news is, I am spending Christmas in Paris. I need new ideas to fill that week!

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Oh Raisa, how disappointing.

Well, if there's any lesson for the rest of us it is that we have to check and doublecheck that our documents, reservation confirmation numbers etc are all with us when we step in the car to go to the airport.

When this sort of thing happens to someone so experienced, in the industry, etc., it's a wakeup call.

Well, why don't we bring up this closer to Christmas to update recommendations.

John