Reservation for the bar at Spring?

[snaporaz]

Despite calling a month ahead to the day, I was only able to secure a reservation at Spring for the bar, as the main dining room and the upstairs were already booked up. I was assured the bar has the same menu as at a table so I figured NBD. But as I read more about it, it seems like the only "bar" area is the Buvette in the basement level, which as far as I can tell has a limited menu and does not take reservations. For those of you lucky enough to be familiar with the new space, is there another bar area that is not the buvette? Or have they changed their reservation and menu policy for the downstairs?
Also, I just found out that Mrs. Snaporaz has developed a temporary "allergy" to things like raw fish and unpasteurized cheeses (if you catch my drift)... which is great and all but not so easy on the chowhounding in Paris. Has anyone dined at Spring with similar limitations? And what was the outcome? TIA!

[Nancy S.]

I'm assuming this "allergy" is a pregnancy. If so, congratulations, and I have seen Daniel make substitutions from his fixed menu to accommodate diners.

[Parigi]

Of course ! Congratulations ! Do go by one day early and tell Daniel or Josh, ask them to work around it.

[Parigi]

I have eaten in the new Spring but not in the basement. (Attended tastings there though.)
Yes one can order some "tapas" dishes there. I also understand that sometimes when the upstairs is full, some diners are seated there but can "eat like upstairs", which means the actual Spring menu. A I said, I have not had this experience. Could others confirm?
Setting-wise: The basement is a very cozy place, very nice atmosphere.
Lunch or dinner at Spring has no alternative dishes. Once I saw a couple leave right after they arrived, because the main dish was announced to be pork, and obviously they didn't do pork. If your wife has serious allergies, it is best not to tempt the devil.

Will it be blasphemy for you and your wife to dine separately just for a meal? It would be so regrettable for you to waste a reservation there. For example she can dine at La Régalade St Honoré which is just a block away and, although it is no Spring, is a consolation prize.

Or maybe you can have the regular menu and, depending on what it is, your wife can order it too or order the "basement tapas" (sound like literally bas-étage stuff but they are not; they are heavenly like the rest; I tasted them at wine tastings).

It is best for you to call back Spring to confirm that this is doable. Or just go by there a few days in advance to inquire about this style of eating: menu for you and basement bar dishes for her. Or maybe by then the resto may have an idea what it will be serving on your date of reservation.

Conclusion: if you have a reservation, at least one of you should go.

[cortez]

Got a tour of Spring in March and had dinner on the main floor and wine tasting in the cellar. "Basement" is perhaps misleading as the restaurant has 3 floors with a beautiful open, glass stairway which leads you downward:

Main: dining room and kitchen
Bar area: sort of a mezzanine with bar and communal tables one floor down
Wine cellar: 2 floors down with space and table under the limestone arches for wine tastings.

I believe the full menu is available in the bar area. Casual tapas with the afternoon wine tasting are in the wine cellar.

Hope this helps.

[Parigi]

Cellar is the right word and sounds much much than basement, which sounds like the place where the staff keeps their street shoes.

[snaporaz]

"I also understand that sometimes when the upstairs is full, some diners are seated there but can "eat like upstairs", which means the actual Spring menu."

Thanks for the info. This is most likely what they offered us. And it may in fact be the best of all possible outcomes given the Mrs.'s dietary restrictions. It would be great if she could pick and choose while I had the menu. It would also be great for me to be able to order different wines by the glass, since part of this "allergy" also prevents her from drinking alcohol.
Do you think it would be a problem if I had the menu du marché while she selected from the Buvette menu? Or will my dinner take way longer than hers?

[Parigi]

"Do you think it would be a problem if I had the menu du marché while she selected from the Buvette menu?"

I think so but you should go by and ask ahead of time.

"Or will my dinner take way longer than hers?"

It is probably not reasonable to expect that they can time two very different menus to have a simultaneous start-middle-end.