Short stopover in Paris- looking for a lovely lunch and hopefully some macaroons. :)

[eviemichael]

Hi all! Well, I am very excited because I managed to find a ticket with a short stopover in Paris on my way to the States for Christmas.

I will be arriving at the airport on Monday, the 20th December at 9:30 in the morning and I need to be back at the airport by 2:10 in the afternoon. (My flight leaves at 5).

I know this is not a lot of time, but I would love to have lunch between 12:00-1:45 or even from 11:30, but I am not sure if lunch begins before 12? I read somewhere that places open from 11:30 but perhaps that is wishful thinking...

I have done some research and these are the places I have come up with: Taillevent, La Grande Cascade, Carres de Feuillants, Josephne-Chez Dumonet, A La Biche au Bois (maybe good choice because it is close to train station), Chez Michel, Le Bristol, Les Ambassadeurs, La tête dans les olives ...phew!
(I think Le Cinq opens at 12:30 for lunch unfortunately).
It is not important to me for the restaurant to be posh, I just want an exquisite lunch within the time frame I have. I am not picky, and love many different types of food-although I am a carnivore and love game meats and I adore a great dessert.
Macaroons are also my absolute favorite dessert, and it would be a bonus if there were a patisserie somewhere close by for me to grab a box... a large box...:)

Thanks in advance for any input you share.

[WtotheN]

I no longer live there, so things may have changed in past few years, but my recollection says that lunch before noon will be tough to find. Please do get advice on that from others though.

Regarding the cookies, make sure you are looking for "macarons" (one "o") not "macaroons!" They are different cookies altogether. I've found Laduree and Pierre Herme to be pretty solid. Check their websites for locations - I think PH only has 2 locations while Laduree has more.

[eviemichael]

Yes I'm sorry, I misspelled. :) I have been searching and have not found anything open before 12:15. I made a reservation at Taillevent because it was open the earliest.
Chez Michel is not open for lunch on Mondays...I am also considering till L'Ami Louis and chez dumonet for something more casual and hearty...

Any suggestions anyone?

[eviemichael]

Also, Lauduree in champs elysees is close to taillevent, so that would be manageable...now i am considering just having lunch and pastries at lauduree altogether..it may be easier that way. I looked at the lunch menu, it seems decent.

[plafield]

There is a Lauduree at the airport (CDG) where you can buy fresh macarons and save time to just enjoy lunch in Paris if you find a place that suits.

[eviemichael]

oh good to know. Im obsessed with macarons and there is no bakery here in Greece that knows how to make them unfortunately.

I have made reservations at Chez Denise since it is close to the Chatelet stop on the RER airport train, and also at Taillevent.

Any other suggestions anyone?

[ChefJune]

I really don't see how you could do lunch at Taillevent in under 2 hours. That's cutting it really close.

[eviemichael]

Crap. I think I'm in denial. Do you think I should go with Chez Denise then? Or do you have another suggestion?

[eviemichael]

Also considering Le Florimond and Chez L'ami Lois....