One night in Paris - Chez L'Ami Jean, Le Fontaine de Mars, Chez Dumonet...

[George80]

I need to make a reservation for a restaurant in Paris on a Friday night in about a month;s time around 10-10.30pm in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th arrondisement

I;m considering the options of Chez L'Ami Jean, Le Fontaine de Mars, Chez Dumonet, Chez Denise.

I want a restaurant that has the following characteristics:
1. can accept a reservation at around 10-10.30pm
2. Good traditional food
3. Not very formal
4. Tables NOT very close to each other so you are practically sitting with other people

Please let me know if any of the 4 above restaurants fulfills the above requirements and PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS

Thanks

[pammi]

Kei in the 1st. the tables are set well apart,exquisite food served simply and without too much fuss,very refined clientele too.

[George80]

What about Allard? Is it any good now or has gone downhill?

Also any comments for L'Auberge Bressane?

Nobody knows Le Pere Claude? From what i'm reading it is a favourite of Jacques Chirac and many other politicians and French celebrities.

[Oakglen]

Le Pere Claude specializes in grilled meats of a secondary quality. Now a tourist destination, high prices reflect the past reputation, not today's reality. The flo brasseries are better, and cheaper.

[Delucacheesemonger]

Bressane is a very nice bistro, good wine list and my fav tripe in Paris

[souphie]

In you list, only Chez Dumonet matches all criteria.

[fishskis]

Chez Dumonet.

If you are at all sensitive about close tables, as you seem to be, do not even consider Chez L'Ami Jean for a minute. I also would not call the food at CLJ traditional. Chez Dumonet is a French bistro as one imagines it, as is it's menu; foie gras, duck confit etc. etc.

[George80]

Thank you f or all the replies.

Ok Chez Dumonet seems like the best option. Are you sure they take reservations at 10 or a bit after 10?

[fishskis]

Maybe you could try calling them and asking them; they will be the only ones who can definitively answer the question of a specific date and time.

[George80]

A colleague of mine who has been in Paris recently recommends Le Grand Cobert and Le Pere Claude.

Any opinions on these 2?

[Parigi]

Le Grand Colbert is a very well known, very festive-looking brasserie with good service. Food-wise it is not in the same leauge as Chez L'Ami Jean, Le Fontaine de Mars, Chez Dumonet.
I have not hear dof Le Père Claude. Probably others have.

[Delucacheesemonger]

"Le Grand Colbert is a very well known, very festive-looking brasserie with good service. Food-wise it is not in the same league as Chez L'Ami Jean, Le Fontaine de Mars, Chez Dumonet. "

Food wise it is not in the same league as Mickey D's, but still a lovely place for a drink just to see it then one block towards the Seine is the Palais Royale, if you are not familiar with, is one of the reasons everyone loves Paris. Large enclosed garden that takes your breath away.

[DownUnder]

The ambience of Le Grand Colbert is one of the reasons you go to Paris, it is wonderful. The seafood platters are excellent as is the creme brulee and to even mention Mickey D's (yuk!) in the same post is an insult.

[Parigi]

For many, to mention Le Grand Colbert and chez l'Ami Jean in the same thread is an insult.

[mangeur]

I think we have two "Grands" working here. Le Grand Colbert is located on rue Vivienne and was featured in the movie "As Good as it Gets". Old time, romantic, classic and, as DCM suggests, meh food. http://legrandcolbert.fr/

Le Grand Vefour is at Palais Royale Garden, is old time, romantic, classic and will cost you several times over LGC. Food and drinks? Hear DCM. http://www.grand-vefour.com/

[Delucacheesemonger]

One of best cheese boards in Paris at LGV

[Parigi]

Le Grand Véfour is one of my favorite restaurants. No way one could confuse the two Grands. Day & night.

[rswatkins]

Any comments on Le Pere Claude? Lobrano reviews it favorably in his book.

[Delucacheesemonger]

Chez Denise definitely has reservations at 10:30 on a Friday.Once made one there at 2:00AM. While seating at CD is not as close as CLAJ, still close and inter-table conversation there is very common and encouraged.

[Dodo]

Re La Fontaine de Mars. Tables are pretty close to each other, especially on the ground floor. Since the 7th is a rather quiet arrondissement, I believe 10-10.30 pm is somewhat late.

Chez Dumonet is open till 10.30 pm. Not sure until what time they accept orders though.

-----
La Fontaine de Mars
129 Rue Saint-Dominique, Paris, Île-de-France 75007, FR

[Parigi]

I vote Chez l'Ami Jean. It has the best food fo the bunch and its last seating is 10:30pm (but no later).
But Chez l'Ami Jean is known for being very crowded. Other people like good food too, you know.