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Paris recs for a first-timer

Posted on 4/7/14 at 8:14 am
Posted by Ye_Olde_Tiger
Member since Oct 2004
1200 posts
Posted on 4/7/14 at 8:14 am
My wife and I are going to be in Paris for 4 days around Easter in a couple of weeks. I was hoping to get some ideas or specific recommendations on a restaurant or two. As well as general tips for non-french speaking Americans. We've been to Europe before a few times (Rome, Germany, England) just never to France.

My wife says she would like a good crepe.

We'd like to try at least one french dining experience in a restaurant. But I dont know if we want to have to get a reservation. Obviously we can if it seems like something where we can enjoy the food/atmosphere without being offensive to the french with our American ways. We're not slobs but we keep hearing it can be challenging to flat out unpleasant. Any good restaurants that are classic/modern french that our easy for americans? Any to avoid?

In lieu of restaurants what other food ideas do you recommend?

I've read falafel is good from street vendors. Also to stop by a shop and purchase bread and cheese and eat in a park.

I'd like to try a cool bistro or two. Have some espresso in the morning. Oh yeah and drink a lot of wine. (I'm not really a wine drinker but I like to drink. Is there anything I definitely shouldn't do with wine/wine ordering?)

We'll be staying a few blocks from the river near notre dome cathedral I think rue des halles maybe.

Anyway, I know its a lot but thanks in advance for any help/insight/recommendations you can offer!

Posted by Catman88
Baton Rouge, LA
Member since Dec 2004
49125 posts
Posted on 4/7/14 at 8:38 am to
quote:

We'll be staying a few blocks from the river near notre dome cathedral I think rue des halles maybe.


There are a lot of really good cafes around there. I prefer to dine at the cafe's rather than the expensive places. Duck Confit is an art in paris and available at all the cafes.

Le Montebello Cafe is a nice spot in your area and there is a very good restaurant near it LeReminet one restaurant in the ND area I would recommend All off Quai de Montabello No reservations required at cafes or this place. If in the Rue Cler area I like Cafe Marche.

Enjoy Notre Dame. Pictures do not do it justice. Also make a trip to Versailles. Eat as many croissants as humanly possible. You will not find the same back here.

BTW if you dont know french just learn a few phrases on how to read and order off a menu. It goes a long way in trying to speak french in Paris.
This post was edited on 4/7/14 at 8:41 am
Posted by BlackenedOut
The Big Sleazy
Member since Feb 2011
5813 posts
Posted on 4/7/14 at 8:43 am to
Good news for all Americans traveling to France, the French hate the Chinese way more than us now. Not only do they consider them ruder, but also the Chinese have driven up the price of Bordeaux and Burgundy to astronomical heights.

Go to Chez Michel up near Sacre Coeur
Posted by Gaston
Dirty Coast
Member since Aug 2008
39087 posts
Posted on 4/7/14 at 8:49 am to
Just eat wherever you are. I wouldn't take the metro to a lunch spot because you'd likely pass better places along the way. Just walk around the area you're in and check out the spots before hand. Eat the frick out if tartare de boeuf. That stuff will change your life.

Posted by BruinsWoo
Member since Feb 2014
118 posts
Posted on 4/7/14 at 11:04 am to
Le Souffle.

36 rue Mont Thabor 75001

01 42 60 27 19
Posted by drockw1
Member since Jun 2006
9118 posts
Posted on 4/7/14 at 11:36 am to
Posting in here for when we go back in June.

2 years ago, we did dinner at La Tour Eiffel....while it was a unique experience, I remember the views and restaurant more than the food. Probably wouldn't go back, though we enjoyed ourselves.

We also went to a place called Le Florimond near Rue Cler/Eiffel area...3-course menu for 35 euro...was excellent.

Also, had great French onion soup at a place called Le Bosquet, escargot was good there too.

Regarding Versailles, I'd consider using a full day, even though I'll never go back there....but it's an incredible place (be wary of the Asian visitors inside the palace throwing 'boes looking for that perfect photo). Outside gardens are on an incredibly massive plot of land.

Either way, make sure you get to Monmarte/Sacre Coeur too...great city to rent a bike and ride around.
This post was edited on 4/7/14 at 11:38 am
Posted by urinetrouble
Member since Oct 2007
20510 posts
Posted on 4/13/14 at 8:51 pm to
quote:

My wife says she would like a good crepe.



Chez Imogene was the best we had. Walkable from the Republique train station on a sleepy side street. Tiny place, although maybe not by Paris standards. Their dessert crepe du jour was made with melted specaloos and ice creams and was fantastic.

Lulu la nantaise near Canal St. Martin was really good too. Worth checking out if y'all are in the area.

quote:

In lieu of restaurants what other food ideas do you recommend?



They seem to pride themselves on fresh baguettes with quality meats and cheeses. I wouldn't hesitate to order a sandwich to-go (jambon and brie FTW) and find a scenic place to eat them. It amazing how they can put no condiments on their sandwiches, yet they aren't dry at all because of the emphasis on quality ingredients.

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