Paris Itinerary - Dining with Children

[magellica]

Hi -

First I want to thank you all for the helpful informaiton I have gathered here for my trip!

I will be going to Paris at the end of the month with my two children (Ages 4 and 0). I have no intention on eating at McDonald's while in Paris or cooking, so I need your help in confirming whether my choices suit children. They are fairly used to going out and are fairly well behaved. For example, last weekend I took my infant to Fountain Restaurant in Philadelphia for Brunch (he was asleep when I got there and I thought he would sleep through, but no dice), and he happily muched on toast without crying. However, they are children, and Parisian restaurants are notoriously small. Therefore, I am going to be very "americaine" and eat as soon as they open (7:00 or 8:00). Given this and the suggestions on the board, would you review my plan below for whether it is doable to eat with children there? Any information on which reservations I need or can't get anymore would be helpful as well.

Saturday: Breizh Cafe
Sunday: Ma Borgogne (no reserves required)
Monday: La Fontaine du Mars
Tuesday: Thinking of viewing the sunset from Montmartre, any suggestions for a pre-sunset dinner there? I was also thinking of getting a babysitter given the area, is this a requirement or would I be okay without one?
Wednesday: Pick up picnic from Chez L'Ami Jean (reserve 24 hours in advance) and carry it to Iles de Cite to eat.
Thursday: Restaurant du Palais Royale or Maceo (break my tie?)
Friday: Brasserie Lutetia or somewhere else in the sixth, suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

[PBSF]

I had written on an earlier post that Restaurant du Palais Royale or Maceo might work for a nice dinner for a couple with a young child. I have not had any actual experience dining with children there, though have eaten at both. True that they are both quiet rather than boisterous bistrots. The reasons why I thought are in the linke provided by an earlier poster. From his report, they did not eat there. Hope others might chime in with opinions.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7771...

[trueblu]

We just came back from Paris with our 22 month old daughter, report is about 10-15 threads below this one (not sure how to insert a link...but here goes: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/777183).

We mostly ate out for lunch, but early dinners I'm sure will be fine. Although we didn't manage to get into Fontaine de Mars, the woman who welcomed us when we walked up specifically made the point that children are more than welcome (we just hadn't made any reservations) and encouraged us to call and book. Would have loved to, but just didn't work out on this trip. Chez L'Ami Jean was particularly welcoming, at least for lunch, but I would say from our limited experience that most non-ultra formal places will be absolutely fine.

Enjoy your trip!

tb

[sunshine842]

cafes and bistros are also easy choices -- and don't even blink when you walk in with children.

We overwhelmingly found Paris to be not only tolerant but welcoming to ours at an early age...hope you find it the same.

[Parigi]

"Monday: La Fontaine du Mars
Tuesday: Thinking of viewing the sunset from Montmartre, any suggestions for a pre-sunset dinner there? I was also thinking of getting a babysitter given the area, is this a requirement or would I be okay without one?"

It is better that you get a babysitter for your dinner at Fontaine de Mars which is more of a tête à tête kind of place. Palais Royale and Maceo also tend to be quieter restaurants. Chez L'Ami Jean and Dans Les Landes may be more suited for dining with children.

"Wednesday: Pick up picnic from Chez L'Ami Jean (reserve 24 hours in advance) and carry it to Iles de Cite to eat."

Why lug your picnic all the way to Ile de la Cité when the resto is right next to the Seine and you can picnic anywhere on the quai and will have a closer view of the Eiffel Tower?