Christmastime in Paris

[mizzlizz]

We will be celebrating our 25th anniversary in the 7th arrondissement in December Brrrrrr!! This will be our 5th visit to the City of Lights but our first time to stay in this area. Any suggestions on restaurants in the area. Also, we'd like to have a memorable dinner on our actual anniversary night but I can't see spending a fortune when there are so many good places that don't cost a fortune....does that make sense? !
I'd hope that one could spend $300-$400 max < with wine> and have an incredible meal. Any ideas?

[jock]

Paris is magical at christmas time. The lights, decor and store windows are so tastefully done unlike the crass commercialism one see here in the U S of A.

December is cold but not bitter cold. You can expect rain so take an umbrella and suitable footware. Be sure to visit Rue Cler (7th) to see all the special holiday food preparations. For non food gifts and such Rue de Buci, also in the 7th has some very nice shops.

I recall one Christmas day that we had a great lunch at a Chinese restaurant, visited Pere Lachaise in the rain and then found a wonderful African art museum still open at 5 in the afternoon. That museum was in the 7th if I recall correctly.

[mizzlizz]

The actual dates of our stay will be Dec. 12-18, hopefully businesses & restos won't be closed yet for the holiday. I was also wondering if there were any Christmas markets we shouldn't miss. I'd like to bring home unique parisien Christmasy gifts rather than the usual touristy stuff....which I won't do ; )

[souphie]

The 7th is easy. Chez l'Ami Jean, L'Auberge Bressane, le Clos des Gourmets, Pasco, La Romanticca, the Constant connection, la Fontaine de Mars, au Bon Accueil, are some of the addresses that jump to mind, not to mention the good food in the rue Cler area, chief among them Cantin the cheese shop.

For a memorable for c270€ you have a number of options. I'll refer you to the threads about excellent lunch menus in top restaurants -- for an occasion like this one, Savoy or Lasserre would be great ideas, though I'm nit sure either is open during the christmas holidays. Savoy closes the saturday before. Le Cinq sure is open everyday.

Come to think of it, the question of what's open when you are there is the only difficult part in your question. As usual, www.viamichelin.com is a precious ressource.

Senderens also fits the bill, for a more informal experience, especially as far as service is concerned.

[Dodo]

I agree, the 7th arr is pretty easy, even between Xmas and NY. However, regarding the Constant connection, I believe the Café Constant will be closed for renovation for some time and will make a grand reopening for invited guests only on Xmas Eve. Can't remember where I read that, but most likely on the Constants' web page.