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Started By
Message
Paris recs for a first-timer
Posted on 4/7/14 at 8:14 am
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!
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!
6
Posted on 4/7/14 at 8:38 am to Ye_Olde_Tiger
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 on 4/7/14 at 8:43 am to Ye_Olde_Tiger
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
Go to Chez Michel up near Sacre Coeur
Posted on 4/7/14 at 8:47 am to Catman88
I'm headed to Paris in a few weeks myself. I've found good recs and suggestions through Paris By Mouth: www.parisbymouth.com and chef/cookbook author David Lebovitz's blog: LINK /
And blogger Katie Parla has some France coverage as well: LINK /
Back to your original question: if you want high end in Paris, you will need a reservation. But you can find most excellent French food without going full-on high end "restaurant"--there are plenty of cafes, brasseries, etc. You might like Bofinger, with its notable art nouveau interior & easy online reservations...or the sister restaurant Petit Bofinger, directly across the street: LINK /
My upcoming food plans include very little high end dining--I get my fill in bakeries & patisseries during the day and often have little interest in food remaining by dinnertime.
You should also check out Rue Montorgueil, which isn't too far from Les Halles: LINK /
And blogger Katie Parla has some France coverage as well: LINK /
Back to your original question: if you want high end in Paris, you will need a reservation. But you can find most excellent French food without going full-on high end "restaurant"--there are plenty of cafes, brasseries, etc. You might like Bofinger, with its notable art nouveau interior & easy online reservations...or the sister restaurant Petit Bofinger, directly across the street: LINK /
My upcoming food plans include very little high end dining--I get my fill in bakeries & patisseries during the day and often have little interest in food remaining by dinnertime.
You should also check out Rue Montorgueil, which isn't too far from Les Halles: LINK /
Posted on 4/7/14 at 8:48 am to BlackenedOut
French people love Americans from Louisiana though. They will roll out the red carpet for you in the French countryside. In Paris they will go from being standoffish to very friendly. I preferred the people in Paris way more than Londoners.
Posted on 4/7/14 at 8:49 am to Ye_Olde_Tiger
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 on 4/7/14 at 8:51 am to hungryone
quote:
My upcoming food plans include very little high end dining--I get my fill in bakeries & patisseries during the day and often have little interest in food remaining by dinnertime.
Thats a good plan. Paris really shines when it comes to the simpler places. I find if you go to the high end dining places that is where you will find the more rude servers expecting you to order properly in perfect french. (and I speak french fairly well) The bread and pastries there are amazing. Chocolate au pain and croissant will never be the same to you again after a visit. Be prepared to look down on every american bakery attempting to even try to make a croissant when you get back.
Posted on 4/7/14 at 10:28 am to Catman88
Ive never once experienced this Parisian or French rudeness, at least not anything noticeable, and I barely speak a lick of French. I think the difference is one of service. At most American restaurants, the waiter is conditioned to be your buddy, someone who is always checking on you. The French style of service is much more private. That is the waiter will leave you alone until you need him or her.
In fact, and not to argue against simpler places, most of the destination dining places have multi-lingual staff who are used to speaking in English, Mandarin, German, Italian, and French depending on the table.
In fact, and not to argue against simpler places, most of the destination dining places have multi-lingual staff who are used to speaking in English, Mandarin, German, Italian, and French depending on the table.
Posted on 4/7/14 at 10:40 am to BlackenedOut
I didnt encounter anyone in Paris being rude. Just the only place where they were kinda snooty and questioned my use of words was at the only fine dining restaurant we visited. At Cafe Marche our server spoke perfect English we figured she has lived in the US for years. Nope. Never even visited.
Posted on 4/7/14 at 11:04 am to Ye_Olde_Tiger
Le Souffle.
36 rue Mont Thabor 75001
01 42 60 27 19
36 rue Mont Thabor 75001
01 42 60 27 19
Posted on 4/7/14 at 11:36 am to Ye_Olde_Tiger
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.
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 on 4/13/14 at 8:51 pm to Ye_Olde_Tiger
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.
Posted on 4/13/14 at 8:58 pm to Catman88
quote:
The bread and pastries there are amazing. Chocolate au pain and croissant will never be the same to you again after a visit.
No kidding. The croissants were incredible. The best place we got some from was Du Pain et des Idees. The escargots there were fantastic as well.
But you don't need to put forth much effort to find good croissants in Paris.
This post was edited on 4/13/14 at 8:59 pm
Posted on 4/14/14 at 10:25 am to urinetrouble
Grab some wine and rent a golf cart at Versailles. Don't just walk around inside.
Have ice cream at Berthillon. The location in the Ile Saint-Louis. And wander around there, while you're there. It's really charming.
Crepes can be had anywhere. It's street food. Amazing street food.
Have ice cream at Berthillon. The location in the Ile Saint-Louis. And wander around there, while you're there. It's really charming.
Crepes can be had anywhere. It's street food. Amazing street food.
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