So much choice in Paris - help!
I am taking my husband to Paris for his 29th birthday this thursday and want to treat him to some lovely meals. We last visited Paris 7 years ago and didn't do any research - so ate quite badly in tourist traps. I don't want to make that mistake again! We are staying in the Marais .
i will be arriving with my husband by Eurostar at 10pm on thursday - is this too late to get a table somewhere? i have heard Chez Michael is close and very good - can anyone confirm this? and will it seat us after 10pm? or alternatively is it open sunday?
Friday - i have booked Table 28 - good choice? is this in the same location as Spring was?
Saturday - I am thinking of booking Paul Bert - is this best for dinner or lunch?
i am also around for friday lunch, saturday lunch and sunday lunch - other ones i have read good reports on are Gou, Frenchie, chez l'aime jean, Le Chateaubriand, Bofinger - but i dont want to give myself gout, so it'd be great to know which ones are lighter than others.
Slightly unrelated - i hear you also should pre book museum/gallery tickets, is this the case? and are any of my lunch choices conveniently located to any of the attractions per chance? we want to see The Catacombes and the Louvre.
Thanks in advance!
By justmarried
on Nov 15, 2009 02:09 AM
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Go to Chez Denise when you arrive -- it'll be the funniest time of the day. Eating after 10.30 is difficult in Paris. Eating well even more so.
Table 28 is in the same location as Spring was, and, like Spring, had good ingredients cooked aptly. Why either is such a success is beyond me, but they sure ain't bad. Same with Paul Bert.
Friday lunch at Chateaubriand is interesting and low risk (lunch is less than 20€). CAJ is, in my opinion, a must, but it is very very cramped and tiny, so don't go if you need personal space. Bofinger is a sightseeing place, not bad.
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Catacombes and the Louvre are both on the Museum Pass. Caution: The Museum Pass official website seems to be a year out of date. Last I heard, the catacombs were closed.
Unless there is a special expo at the Louvre, there is no reason to book ahead. What I would suggest, however, is that you do a little planning ahead so you are not overwhelmed.
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Check out Meg's review of "Table 28": http://megzimbeck.com/2009/11/daniel-...
Her balanced review should help to set expectations, so as not to disappoint those who expect Spring MkII.
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Just checked and Catacombes are closed - thanks for the heads up.
Chez Denise is this near the station? Would I need to call ahead?
I misspelt a resturant peviouslu Glou - what is this one like? Worth bothering with?
Chez Michael - is it not worth going to?
Where is CAJ?
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Chez Michel was pretty good, has been going downhill since the chef is less committed in the kitchen and is doing well personally.
Glou is an ingredient place in the Marais. I mean, it's a restaurant, but it does not claim to be doing more than good ingredients. And, you know, trendshionista.
Chez l'Ami Jean is in the 7th, rue Malar.
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are any of these oen on sunday?
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nope
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@just married, are you only here from Th-Sunday? I have a reservation at Frenchie on Wed 25th and can't make it, am going to cancel the rez today. If you are here then you are welcome to it!
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WendyLyn - If you haven't cancelled it and just married can't - I'd love to take the reservation. I'll be in Paris this Sunday for a week and tried to make a res at Frenchie a couple weeks ago and were told they were booked. Wednesday happens to be the one free day I have! Was planning to try Cafe Constant that night, but would LOVE to check out Frenchie...
Otherwise I'm booked the other nights at Jadis, KGB, Epigramme, Gaigne and P Bert. Let me know (bkalhcc@aol.com). Thanks.
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I have always loved Café Constant, so check that out when you get a chance. If you show up right when it opens (7 p.m. for dinner), you can almost always get a table. Make sure to have the chocolate quenelles for dessert.
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so sorry just seen this now!!!
we went:
Le Rubis - good atmosphere, rammed, 4 dishes to choose from - my brandade was so so, m husband's blood sausage was lovely
Table 28 - Phil D and Souphie - i see what you mean, it was reallu nice, Daniel was lovely, but I think i was expecting something different.
Glou - over priced for what is was - 23 euros for a burger!
Paul Bert - quite old fashioned, heavy dishes, liked it but didn't love it.
thanks to all who helped me, I can't wait to go back to try all the other places I wanted to go!
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