trip to Paris

[fishfork]

Recs for restaurants--not too expensive please---staying Latin quarter, but will travel for chow.

[Moshulu]

Fishfork:

My favorite reasonably-priced place in Paris to wield a fish fork is the Bistrot du Dome in Montparnasse. It's all-fish, and their wines are inexpensive (!) and quite decent. Try the Chinon or the Bourgueil. The grilled squid entrée is outstanding. You can skip the desserts, though. And, as always in Paris, don't even think about ordering coffee.

Unlike most Paris bistros, the staff are pleasant and care about doing their job well.

Must reserve: 01 43 35 32 00
1, rue Delambre
metro Vavin

[Julie]

I found one also listed in the Marais on 2, rue de la Bastille. Does anyone know if this is pretty much the same as the one in Montparnasse on rue Delambre? Thanks

[Diane in Bexley]

Our family of 4 (inc 2 teenagers) was in Paris in Dec 2004 for a week. We stayed in the 6th arre. in St. Germain des Pres. Eating in Paris is VERY expensive. We found a terrific "all you can eat" steak & frites place off Blvd. St. Michel behind Cafe Flore. It was called Relais d'Entrecote. If I recall, it was 20Euro per person. It included salad, steak & frites. They bring you out additional food, it is a white tablecloth restaurant. As everywhere in Europe, soda is VERY expensive. We ordered water with lemon for dinner. The water is drinkable. There was a small Italian bistro called Cafe Vesuvio, also off Blvd. St. Michel, which was about 15Euro per person for local pasta and salad dishes (I think you also got a glass of wine). We went to Leon de Bruxelles, a local chain, for mussels and beer. Delicious frites (french fries) which tasted like they had been fried in lard (yum!). That was near the Mabillon metro stop. Don't laugh at this suggestion, there is a big chain store, Monoprix, which is like a Target with a grocery store. We stocked up on snacks, soda and sandwiches for the kids who were always hungry from so much walking. Check out some of the local markets too, depending on when you are going. Don't visit McDonald's or the American chain places, they are VERY $$. We had lunch at something with Pomme (apple) in the title, kind of like a Subway and it was delicious. Be adventerous and visit patisseries (bakery) or boulangerie. The good news is that all French retaurants have menus outside the door. Visit the Patricia Wells web site and download a French to English dictionary to be able to translate. Bon voyage!

[David]

While prices may appear higher than what you see in the US, it is worth noting that prices printed on a French menu already contain the tax and service charge (tip). In fact, if you charge your dinner, there is not even a place on the visa / mc slip you sign to write in a tip. You can leave a little extra on the table if you wish but that is not required.

Another reason dining seems so expensive in Europe is the weak dollar.

[KB]

If you're looking for mussels and beer, let me suggest the independent Au Trappiste on rue Saint-Denis at the very northern end of Place du Chatelet. It's about the same price as Leon and very, very delicious.

[DavidT]

It would be well worth your while to take 20 or 30 minutes a scroll down thru the many prior posts made over the last 3-6 months. You will find many, many helpful suggestions already here available for you. Paris probably gets more posts than any other city on this board. While some do focus on the 3-star places, most of the posts are about bistro's and less expensive places to eat.

[Sandy]

My husband and I love Perraudin in the 5th and Baracane near Place des Vosges. Neither are very expensive, the food is good, and the service is very friendly.

Sandy

[Sandy]

You also might want to try Cosi in the 6th, 54 Rue de Seine, and for dessert? Some gelato at Amorino, located at 4 rue de Buci. Wonderful! We had it at least 3 times during 1 week in Paris. There are several other Amorino's in Paris, but that's the one we went to. I know there's also one on the Ile St. Louis. Here are the addresses for the other restaurants I mentioned:

BARACANE
38 rue des Tournelles
Phone: [phone]

Le Perraudin
157, r. St-Jacques
Tel: [phone]

Sandy