Seeking restaurant recommendation for anniversary dinner in or near 7th arr.

[svicious]

Let me preface this post by saying my apologies for not coming to the table with a few possibilities of my own, but it's getting late and there's so much to research and past time to start packing!

Kind of overwhelmed by all of the choices available and would like to hear of any choices that stand out to those more experienced with Parisian dining. Seeking a traditional or modern French/French fusion restaurant suitable for a romantic anniversary dinner, preferably in the 7th arrondissement or within a short cab or metro ride thereof.

We do not speak French and so an establishment that is at least somewhat accomodating to Anglophones is a must, and tables that are not on top of each other are preferred. Total cost with wine under 300 Euros is a must, preferably somewhat less. Cuisine and service should be the appeal, not how chic or trendy the place is. A place where a jacket and tie are neither required nor expected would be excellent, but I don't want to unnecessarily limit our options just because I don't want to lug a jacket around for 12 days to only use it once.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[parisdreamer]

The Chows on this board helped me narrow my Anniversary dinner down to 'Le Petrelle'. It is in the 9th mind you - but it would fit your budget (which was ours too) and wouldn't require the tie & jacket.
We don't go until early October so I can't let you know what I thought of it - but it looks exactly what we were looking for. http://www.petrelle.fr/

[mangeur]

Thanks for posting this. I was trying to remember this address in the context of the OP's request. I do need to put Le Petrelle on our fantasy list.

[John Talbott]

A solution to all this tie and jacket concern is to tuck in a bow tie (weighs nothing) and wear a black leather jacket like all the celebs.

[souphie]

How about Fontaine de Mars? I'm not sure what you mean by romantic -- but there's something quintessentially Parisian about the place. Me, I'd like the little Sud Ouest place on bd de La Bourdonnais too. I would also second le 122 as pretty romantic (though maybe overdressed?). Le Violon is very nice and professional too, though somewhat "for friends".

[svicious]

OP here. Ended up at Fontaine de Mars as it was walkable from the hotel and we wanted something nearby. It was a good fit for us and we had a very nice meal for about 200 Euros, including a decent bottle of St Emilion Grand Cru. My steak was good but not great; everything else was excellent including the best service of all ten days in France. The ironic thing is I wore my jacket and didn't end up needing it there as it was not a particularly dressy place but nothing wrong with being among the best dressed folks in a place I guess.

We scouted Le Violon which is only a block or so away but the tables were so close to together it looked a little too much like a NYC subway car and felt decidely un-romantic. Though I must say the menu looked more intriguing to me than Fontaine de Mars' did.

Thanks all for your ideas!

[mangeur]

Here's a suggestion from outer field. I'd never heard of this place until I learned that our favorite waiter had moved here. It is certainly different, approached by private ferry to an island in the Bois de Boulogne. I doubt that the food is particularly great, but the approach and ambiance could create quite a memorable setting. FWIW: http://www.chalet-des-iles.com/

[Parigi]

The food was good, not magniificent. The ambiance was exquisite.
However, in restaurants with a beautiful interior like Le Chalet des Iles, people naturally dress up, maybe in a natural gesture to be in keeping with the setting. Nearly no restaurant requires a tie. But in a restaurant like Le Chalet, men wear a jacket, although not as a requirement per se.

[svicious]

Thanks for your thoughts, I do appreciate it. Unfortunately, romantic is really kind of a must given that it is an anniversary dinner so while Le Violon d'Ingres is intriguing on some levels the several sources that have mentioned it is simply not romantic, including this thread, make me hesitate to go with it. Also, the dinner is to be on a Thursday, therefore Bistrot d'Hier et Aujourd'hui doesn't work.

Any thoughts on Le Violon d'Ingres vs. some of these others that have been recommended?

Les Bouquinistes
La Petite Cour
Les Ombres

[John Talbott]

I'm not sure why you think the Violin is less romantic than the others:
Les Bouquinistes is brightly-lit, all Anglos and I wouldn't do even a 40th date there.
La Petite Cour is down in a cellarwell and
Les Ombres does have a spectacular view if it's still dusky but the waitfolk's shoes on the floor destroy any intimacy not to mention the mediocre food.
How about a ten minute cab ride to the Tour D'Argent, that has a great view, good food, certainly romantic IMHO.

[Oakglen]

Tour D'Argent would be a great choice for quality food and ambiance, but the dress code in the evening seems more formal than they are proposing, and with wine etc, it's hard for me to see the tab coming in under 300 Euros. I still think your choice of Violin makes sense; certainly better than the three they mentioned. Or perhaps one the bistros in the 15rh?

[svicious]

I had a look at the Tour d'argent website and most assuredly it is over the budget for how we'd typically order. It does seem quite the place for ambiance and a romantic setting though. After looking into those other places some more I agree Violon seems better than any of them as well, and is definitely a leading contender, along with Paul Chene, which seems more traditional which is fine as well.

[John Talbott]

An opportunity to communicate with a ghost from the Sex Pistols is an opportunity to be seized, thus in the 7th for a quiet anniversary dinner (I hope it's beyond 45) would not be Chez l'Ami Jean or Thoiumieux but places others on this board are not as enthusiastic as I am:

Le Violin d’Ingres
135, rue St-Dominique, 7th (Metro : Ecole Militaire)
T : 01.45.55.15.05
Closed Sundays and Mondays
Lunch menu 50, 110 € dinner, a la carte 96-100 €.

Le 122: Bistrot d'Hier et Aujourd'hui
122, rue de Grenelle in the 7th (Metro: Solferino)
T: 01.45.56.07.42
Closed weekends, open for lunch Mondays-Fridays, dinner weekdays except Thursday and has an "afterwork apero-dinatore" from 6:30-10 PM except Thursdays.
Lunch formula at 16,50, menu-carte at 35 and 20 €.

But as we say all the time, you can be anywhere in Paris from the 7th by Metro in 40 minutes and by taxi in a bit less. If you want romantic there have been several threads that you'll easily find with a search here.

[Oakglen]

Violin won't be that romantic but meets all your other requirements; So please heed Dr. T..

[Glennlarkin]

John Talbott, you are always so quick and helpful. My wife and I will be in Paris in early September and plan on using several of your recommendations for eating. Thank you very much. If I see you in the 5th or 6th, I'll buy you a glass of wine - at least.

[John Talbott]

You're welcome. If we cannot be helpful and civil we have no reason to exist on a food/resto discussion site.