Paris 2012 Guidebook
Best and worst restaurants:
Best: Le Florimond / Cafe Med
Why: Fantastic atmosphere, wonderful food and welcome, no English-speaking guests, except for ourselves!! We also loved the Cafe Med on Ile St. Louis - charming, great food, cosy, had to have 2 glasses of wine!
Gina in Ellicott City, MD USA 02/01/2012
Best: Royal Turenne
Why: One of our best meals in Paris. Our waiter was great - funny, friendly and oh so French!
Helen in San Francisco, CA USA 01/11/2012
Best: Little Breizh, 11 rue Gregoire de Tours near Odeon Metro
Why: This is not in Rick's book but soon will be. They serve great crepes Brittney style all the ingrediants are fresh and prices are reasonable. The owners a brother and sister team are friendly and welcoming. English spoken here.
Hank Smalling in Aiken, SC USA 12/31/2011
Worst: Cafe du Marche, rue Cler
Why: Got food poisoning!
Susan in Sausalito, CA USA 08/17/2011
Best: Chez Marianne in the Marais
Why: If you are looking for something different this is the place. Cozy and warm spot on a cool rainy day. Amazing falafel, friendly service.
Sara in Philadelphia, PA USA 07/28/2011
Best: La Casa Campagna - Rue Cler area
Why: Delicious Italian food, big portions, outrageous host Fernando made it a memorable fun night. Note that the sign outside does not say correct name. Look for small gold lettering on window left of door or sign inside restaurant.
Sara in Philadelphia, PA USA 07/28/2011
Best: Cafe du Marche
Why: Service was very friendly and attentive even at a very busy time. The steak tartare is not to be missed!
Arlene Brumm in Mukilteo, WA USA 07/26/2011
Best: Cafe Constant
Why: Close to our hotel and great food.
Worst: Le Florimond
Why: The room is nice and the staff was friendly, but the food was simply bland. For the price we were disappointed.
Bob May in St. Louis, MO USA 07/24/2011
Best: Cafe du Marche, Paris
Why: Excellent quality of food, even with the reasonably low pricing for food in Paris. Beautifully quaint location! Although the servers were busy, they did smile and speak English! Thanks for the recommendation.
Kathy in Toronto, ON Canada 07/13/2011
Best: McDonald's on Champs Elysees :)
Why: This was fun to sit on the Champs Elysees and take some time to people-watch. Be sure to stay away from the trees. Pigeons! Keep Wet Wipes handy. One guy sitting under the trees was thankful we had some when he became the target of one of the pigeons. You can just hear them laughing as they hit their targets! We had spent lots of money on food and this was a way to extend our budget for coffee and a fruit smoothie.
Bonnie Crabtree in Nesbit, MS USA 06/28/2011
Best: Cookin' with class
Why: Intimate, informative and fun! Anyone renting a place with a kitchen in Paris needs the pre-cooking exploration of Parisian food markets.
Dorie Refling in Bozeman, Mt USA 06/20/2011
Best: Petite Brasserie PTT, Rue Cler (Paris 2011 p428)
Why: We had the deux pour douze breakfast special there nearly every day. And we got the free kir with dinner (p424). We also enjoyed Cafe Constant (p427), Cafe la Roussillon (p187), and Post Cafe (at the beginning of the Montmartre Walk).
Worst: Iolanda
Why: This is an Italian place near the Eiffel Tower. The waiter was pushy, and brought us items we didn't order. The pork cutlet tasted fishy. Don't go there.
Linda in San Antonio, TX USA 06/19/2011
Best: Cafe Bosquet (Nr rue Cler), Cafe Med (nr Notre Dame)
Why: Cafe Bosquet was great for our anniversary dinner. It's elegant without being priced out of sight. Cafe Med was excellent for lunch with a prix fixe 3 courses. The atmosphere was so French and service was efficient even though they were very busy.
Laura in Fredericksburg, TX USA 06/16/2011
Best: La Varangue
Why: Have enjoyed eating at Phillippe's numerous times since 2003; almost embarrassed to admit eating there 4 times last week (which Phillippe noted aloud for everyone in the restaurant)...a real joy, a true value, and a must for good home cooking of traditional French food.
John Russell in Charlottesville, VA USA 06/02/2011
Best: L' Epouvantail
Why: It's across from the Grand Hotel Jeanne d' Arc in the Marais. Small place, not fancy but the food is wonderful. Service was good too.
Judy Johnson in Alexandria, MN USA 04/25/2011
Best: Le Florimond
Why: Good Food, friendly staff, and close to Rue Cler
Greg J in Georgetown, KY USA 04/24/2011
Best: Cafe Constant near Eiffel Tower
Why: Good lunch and friendly, English-speaking wait staff. We ate there the last week of March 2011 and there was no waiting line for lunch.
G Sellers in Melbourne , FL USA 04/14/2011
Best: cafe du marche
Why: Reasonable prices, good espresso.
kevin in san diego, ca USA 02/06/2011
Best: Le Petit Cler
Why: Cute, fun environment, peppy servers, and very good meals for very reasonable prices.
Alison Snow in Bellevue, WA USA 01/28/2011
Best: L'As du Falafel
Why: Yes, a little kitschy during the day, but it tastes great. And at night, it seems to be the munchie-spot for the bar crowd, along with all the other falafel places. (This guy does live up to his promise - you get more bang for your buck.)
Kali Morse in Ft. Campbell, KY USA 01/19/2011
Best: the ones in the Rue Cler and Rue Moffetard
Why: Rue Moffetard was my favorite little area to eat, so I tended to like the restaurants in that are the best and your opinions of them were spot on.
Worst: the ones that were too touristy
Why: I loved trying places that seemed to have locals in it, but every once in a while (like near Notre Dame) it was a total failure. Expensive, cold and not good food or service in that area!
Chapel Ham in Bellville, TX USA 01/10/2011
Best: Le P'tit Troquet
Why: Charming and intimate, delicious food (I had a pate made with venison and chestnuts for a starter, a risotto with mushrooms and scallops and a chocolate tart with hazelnut crust - heaven! After dinner, we strolled 5 minutes to watch the Eiffel Tower sparkle on the hour. A magical evening.
Chris in Cedar Point, NC USA 11/16/2010
Best: A la Cote Bretonne
Why: Chocolate crepe dessert made with Grand Marnier was great!
Dino Piccione in Dumfries, VA USA 11/07/2010
Best: Restaurant due Sud Ouest on Rue de la Bourdanaiss, left side of street when headed toward the Eifffel Tower
Why: Specializes in foie gras, excellent service, top quality food, not a budget restaurant but not outrageously priced either - warm atmosphere.
Sylvia in Grant, WI USA 10/15/2010
Best: Le P'tit Troquet in rue Cler area
Why: The food and service were the best we found in Paris-truly excellant
Worst: Chez Pierrot in rue cler area
Why: You recommended the beef stew-it was horrible-fatty, watery, very thin gravy. I would not recommned this to anyone.
Jennifer Brush in Cleveland, OH USA 10/06/2010
Best: Cafe le Nemours
Why: Bustling cafe was cramped and very busy, but a perfect rest after the Louvre. We had a very nice lunch and did some people watching. Lots of locals there. Menu items included classics of cassoulet and ratatouille.
Kim in Rome, IL USA 10/04/2010
Best: Carmine
Why: Excellent local cafe on Ave de Suffren at Motte Picquet, border of 7th and 15th. Food ranges from melt-in-your-mouth beef that you cook on a heated stone at your table to pizza at competitive prices. Friendly staff and casual atmosphere.
Worst: baguette sandwiches.
Why: Not a place, but something that you will find everywhere. They look good, usually with ham and cheese, but they are as dry as dust with no condiments, and none are supplied. Bring your own mustard or mayonnaise. Steve says that sometimes they can come drenched in mayo, but didn't see any of those.
Ron in Vancouver, BC Canada 09/26/2010
Best: Le Florimond
Why: Great food. Friendly service. And got a birthday kiss. Desserts were the only thing lacking.
Terry in Virgina Beach, Va USA 09/18/2010
Best: Le P'tit Troquet
Why: We loved the ambiance, and the food was delicious. Quite possibly the best creme brulee ever.
Diana Lucio in Alexandria, VA USA 08/16/2010
Best: Le P'tit Troquet
Why: We loved the ambience, and the food was delicious. Quite possibly the best creme brulee ever.
Diana Lucio in Alexandria, VA USA 08/16/2010
Best: Rue Cler walk
Why: While not a restaurant per se, we were able to talk to the local sommelier, buy some wine, buy some bread, some cheese, some fruit & a dessert & walk down to the Seine for a once-in-a-lifetime picnic @ sunset. A WONDERFUL memory. Thank you!
Joe Staniszewski in Lansdale, PA USA 08/08/2010
Best: Nectarine
Why: The food was delicious and very resonable. The portions were large and three of us shared one dessert at the end of our meal. Our waiter was very friendly and helpful. He remembered us when we returned for a second time.
Worst: La Varangue
Why: Overpriced for the meal we received. We had the vegetarian option which was pasta with what appeared to be frozen vegetables. It was a very disappointing meal.
Rich Swiergula in Aberdeen, WA USA 08/02/2010
Best: La Varangue (Philippe's Restaurant) in the 7th
Why: This is now the 8th year in a row that we've been coming to this restaurant. The food is consistently good and the portions are large. Philippe himself is charming, very personable, welcoming. He makes the best vegetarian quiche from scratch every day. I don't usually have dessert but I can't resist his unbelievably good chocolate cake.
Larry Richard in Wayne, PA USA 07/01/2010
Best: Info in the front of Eating in Paris chapter
Why: This was very helpful in getting a grasp of the best way to eat in Paris. The explanations of meal types and choices aided in working our way through the many options. We never spent more than 50e for two to eat dinner with wine and usually less. You can eat well in Paris and not break the bank!
Worst: On place du Marche Ste. Catherine
Why: The book recommends this place and several restaurants around it. We found the quality and value marginal. The catering to foreign tourists did not make for a great eating or authentic Parisian bistro experience. Would recommend travelers look elsewhere for better food and atmosphere.
Pam in Eugene, OR USA 06/26/2010
Best: Auberge de la Reine Blanche (Ile St. Louis)
Why: Price good, food quality excellent. A very good value and we will go back! We had dinner at the Restaurant Polidor (Odeon area)the night before. The quality was less and the price was more. Not a repeater.
Sheryl Doll in Fort Worth, TX USA 06/24/2010
Best: Le Petit Cler and Ulysse (Rue Cler)
Why: Our food was great and reasonably priced at Le Petit Cler. The waiter was friendly and helpful. The crepes were awesome at Ulysse.
Dave and Heidi in Stillwater, OK USA 06/20/2010
Worst: La Terrasse
Why: Salad and wine was good but the rest depressing. penne was dried out. frites soggy. 1/3 of escargot too small to get out. To cap it off, Maitre D' upstairs used a tone with our 4 year old that made her cry. (It is true she shouldn't have put her feet on her chair but she is 4.) The other staff shrugged as if normal.
RickM in Salem, OR USA 06/20/2010
Best: Cafe Constant
Why: Despite the scrum getting to the upstairs tables when they opened at 7 (really, folks, do we Americans NEED to be so competitive?), I think this was the best meal I've eaten in my life -- and I've had a few good ones!
Marilyn R. in Waterville, ME USA 06/14/2010
Best: Ulysses in Rue Cler
Why: I can't tell you how many timee we went back for crepes. The tabbouli is not to be missed! Affordable
Jody in Long Beach, Ca USA 06/11/2010
Best: Cafe Constant and Le P'tit Troquet
Why: I can't choose between these two. They have very different atmospheres (the first is casual and bustling, the second intimate and romantic) but both had great food and very professional service. The clientèle were a mix of locals and Americans--many at Le P'tit Troquet had the Rick Steves book. Also, the bread and desserts at P'tit Troquet were truly delicious!
Worst: La Fontaine de Mars
Why: The worst meal and experience of our trip. Average food, overpriced, and with staff that appeared overwhelmed and stressed. The cassoulet was not bad, but the pot was not left on the table and the waiter did not serve me the best piece of meat, the duck, until I noticed it at the end of the meal and asked for it. I wish we had not wasted our time or money during what was otherwise a perfect trip!
Rebecca in Washington, DC, USA 05/22/2010
Worst: La Varangue in Paris and Le Petite Tonnelle in Beynac.
Why: These restaurants -as well as others - were associated with what we jokingly referred to as "the chalkboard menu trick". The daily special (plat du jour or formula) menu written on a small chalkboard up front near the entrance would usually feature three courses, including a dessert. At the end of the meal, the waiter would present a dessert menu, inferring that any dessert was part of the chalkboard special. Later, we would get an itemized bill that included 5-8 Euros extra for each dessert. On one occasion when I protested, the waiter pointed to the chalkboard - the bottom reference to a dessert had been errased! While this is not a huge rip-off, the feeling tht you've "been had" ruins the memories of what would have been an excellent meal.
Kyle & Jan Dameron in Tulsa, OK USA 05/19/2010
Best: any of the cafe's in the Rue Cler area
Why: They are cozy and intimate and reasonably priced.
Dan in Northville, MI USA 05/11/2010
Best: Le Petit Cler on Rue Cler; and near the Bastille, Chez Janou
Why: Great food and fun people all around.
jill in durall, CT USA 04/18/2010
Best: Using your local boulangerie/frommage
Why: Nothing like freshly baked bread and real cheese for a family picnic!
Margaret in Piedmont, CA USA 04/06/2010
Best: BHV cafeteria
Why: Loved the convenience and price of BHV
David Neely in Chicago, IL USA 01/31/2010
Best: Cafe Janou
Why: wonderfully patient wait staff. they do not take AMEX (which may be useful to know for some US travelers). food was superb, dessert even better... and just the best way to end our trip.
Worst: Restaurant Chartier
Why: MENU is not English-friendly... AND the waitstaff is just not friendly. also, readers should know that parties of two will be paired together at four-tops. AND waitstaff expect American tips- gasp!- how dare they, for such shockingly terrible service?
Tiffany in Seattle, WA USA 01/05/2010
Best: Chez Agnes
Why: We have been to Chez Agnes three times now. Our most recent trip was to celebrate our engagement this past April. Agnes is a delightful host who takes a real interest in her patrons. She sat and talked with us as though we were family. Her sense of humor, great food, and warm personality made this our favorite restaurant.
Paul & Michelle in Asbury Park, NJ USA 12/06/2009
Worst: Breakfast In America
Why: I can only speak of the left bank location - but there were fruit flies EVERYWHERE and the milkshake tasted like Slimfast (my mother agreed). I wanted very much to like this place (since it took forever to walk to and I was dying for a BLT) - but I just couldn't. I would definitely not recommend this to any American looking for a taste of home (or anyone else, for that matter).
emily in portland, or USA 11/08/2009
Best: La Terrasse du 7eme
Why: Good food, great location overlooking a busy intersection with lots of people watching available. It is right beside a metro stop.
Art / Karyn Lougheed in Markham, On Canada 11/01/2009
Best: Les Bonnes Soeurs, 8 rue de la Mule
Why: What a great atmosphere and superb food! We took your recommendation for burger and fries, and it far surpassed anything we've had in the States. Wonderful place to get a feel for the neighborhood because it was packed with locals. Really delightful.
evelyn in dallas, tx USA 10/30/2009
Best: Cafe Constant
Why: It's a little more pricey then Rick makes it seem. My meal with wine, but no desert was 38 Euros, but the food was amoung the best I have ever had! Well worth it.
Carol in Atlanta, GA USA 10/20/2009
Best: Tribeca
Why: Good service, friendly staff, affordable prices, tasty meals, great location.... I couldn't ask for more.
Rob R. in Alexandria, VA USA 10/08/2009
Worst: Le Bistrot Mazarin
Why: The service was poor, confusing our orders and paying scant attention to us. The food was even worse than the service, dried out duck breast and steamed fish atop a plate of white rice.
P. Osterbrink in Thousand Oaks, Ca USA 10/02/2009
Best: Cafe du Marche & Tribeca
Why: You can't beat these two restaurants for quality and value. We enjoyed a very tender filet at Tribeca last Sunday.
Worst: Onion Soup
Why: Had a bit of bad luck finding French Onion Soup that was worth the trip this time out. Ordered it three times but each time found the soup very ordinary.
furnacefighter in Philadelphia, PA USA 09/26/2009
Best: Cafe de Marche
Why: The best food for a reasonable price in Paris. We had several great meals there.
Gregg & Judy in Rapid City, SD USA 09/24/2009
Best: Ulysse en Gaule (Rue Cler)
Why: Those crepes are awesome! The staff treated us like family and really made our trip special.
Dawn in St. Paul, MN USA 09/19/2009
Best: Chez Janou
Why: Fabulous local atmosphere, great food
Sandra Williams in Lincoln, NE USA 09/09/2009
Best: Les Deux Magots
Why: The creme brulee alone was worth the trip.
Claire S. in Evanston, IL USA 08/17/2009
Best: Chez Plumeau in Montmartre
Why: After fighting through the tourist hordes in Place du Tetre, finding Chez Plumeau on tiny, quiet Place du Calvaire was like a breath of fresh air. My daughter had a vegetarian tartine and I had the quiche lorraine, both superb. The Sangria they had for the daily special was delicious. And the service was excellent as well.
Worst: Creperie Ulysee en Gaule and Café du Marche, both on rue Cler
Why: I don't understand how Creperie Ulysee en Gaule came to be recommended. Our server was friendly enough, but the food was terrible. And when he saw me thumbing through my Rick Steves book he tells me that Rick is no good, he doesn't like the Creperie, and that he says they use horsemeat. Hmmm... didn't see that in the guidebook.
Likewise, I thought Café du Marche was overrated. We ate there for breakfast and the croissant was definitely not as fresh as it could have been.
Colleen Earls in Vancouver, WA USA 07/29/2009
Best: La Varangue
Why: Fabulous food, big portions, and a wonderful atmosphere - the place was filled with fellow RS travellers, but that is OK with me.
John Russell in Charlottesville, VA USA 07/29/2009
Best: La Varangue
Why: Phillipe made our trip! Our group of four had three delightful meals there! What a find! Each meal was delicious and very reasonably priced. On our last night in Paris,we celebrated my sister's birthday and Phillipe presented her with complimentary cake, complete with candle and song!
Carol N. in Newport News, VA USA 07/27/2009
Best: Bistrot le P'tit Troquet
Why: Good food, reasonably priced. Essential to book as there are only half a dozen tables.
Anne Ayre in Bowen Island, BC Canada 07/19/2009
Best: none
Why: Rick hinted how expensive they were, but they were way way way expensive. We cooked at the apartment. Most of the food looked nasty.
Eddie Mikell in Charlottesville, VA USA 07/15/2009
Best: Le Florimond
Why: By the Rue Cler. We were looking for a nice, cozy restaurant for my birthday and decided to try Rick's recommendation of this restaurant. I could not have asked for a better place to celebrate. Laurent put a candle in my chocolate mousse and had the entire restaurant sing Happy Birthday. Laurent was so kind, so attentive to all his guests and was overall a perfect host. On top of it all, the food was delicious. It was such a memorable birthday for me. I highly recommend it!
Alaina in Scarsdale, NY USA 07/12/2009
Best: Le Florimond
Why: You just love everything about this restaurant. The service and food. We celebrated our grandson's 15th birthday. He wanted us to keep it quiet but Laurent got wind of it and had a dessert with candles so everyone sang Happy Birthday in the room. Wish we had gone back there our last night. We would walk by the restaurnt at night and Laurent would say hello.
Worst: Le Grand Colbert
Why: This was our last night after 17 day trip and all our meals had been great. We had made a reservation two months out and reconfirmed that day. We waited at the door for 10 minutes before they seated us as others walked by. Then we sat for another 10 minutes with menus and no offer of water or wine. Finally they took our order. The children liked their steak and fries and pasta and my snails were good but my husband french onion soup was unflavorable and my veal stew was meat in a light soup, I can't call it a sauce. We were very disappointed after reading good reviews in other web sights. Also we were uncomfortable as it was warm and it seems the air conditoning wasn't on or else it didn't work in the corner we were sitting. It was not a cheap meal either. I guess we were lucky our other meals were so wonderful.
Jeanette Finlon in Seattle, WA USA 07/09/2009
Best: La P'tit Troquet
Why: We had a great meal, served by Dominique herself. She was very friendly and the meal was outstanding.
Jack Martin in Lawrence, KS USA 06/28/2009
Best: La Varangue
Why: Everything we expected, based on the guidebook recommendation. Was nice for a couple with no reservations that day.
Worst: Cafe Du Marche, Rue Cler
Why: Treated to terrible service for an average petit dejeuner: a croissant from the boulangerie across the street, a cup of good espresso, and canned orange juice. The waitress did everything in her power to ignore us, after it became evident that my French n'est pas bien.
Joel in Seattle, WA USA 06/19/2009
Best: Cafe du Marche & Tribeca Itialian (partners)
Why: Fair prices for Rue Cler,good food, great for people watching
Charles Carter in Seattle, WA USA 06/10/2009
Best: Cafe du Marche
Why: Good food and prices, great people watching. Second choice -- Pizzeria Gourmandise. We went in with modest expectations, but thoroughly enjoyed it (and got free kir when we flashed the guidebook).
Jim Gauntt in Little Rock, AR USA 06/01/2009
Best: Chez Pierrot, Paris..9 rue Amelie 75007
Why: Accomodating and superb chef. Knowledgable hostess (Lynda). We ate twice here and came back the second night because the food was great and the hostess was able to have something prepared for me that was not on the menu. Now that's GOOD business!
James B. Dailey in Suffolk, Va USA 05/29/2009
Best: Savannah Café and Comptoir Méditerranée
Why: Since leaving Paris, I always miss the precious time that I've spent at Savannah Café which is not in a book, I don't know why?! Cozy atmosphere with cool sounds, great people and fresh, light, savory meals of Mediteranean. They have another place which serves meals non-stop from 11am to 22pm; whose name is Comptoir Méditerranée which is very close to Savannah Café. You would be blind with plenty of dishes tempt your appetite. If you are a small eater , try some the best sandwiches in Paris.Don't miss the amazing desserts before leaving the table.
YOU in Seattle, WA USA 05/25/2009
Best: Tribeca Cafe on Rue Cler
Why: Staff extremely friendly and helpful. Food great - especially the steak frites which ncluded an 1mch and a half thick tenderloin steak cooked to order. The vons du mois blanc smooth, affordable and great also
Worst: Cafe du Marche
Why: waitress rolled her eyes and acted annoyed when we asked for an English menu. Food uneven - chicken roti dry, mashed potatoes watery, and a steak listed as a skirt steak - usually a very lean cut of beef, greasy and full of fat.
Mary Lehman in Shepherdstown, WV USA 05/17/2009
Best: L'ami Jean restaurant
Why: L'ami Jean was fantastic - pricey, but very good food and great service
Worst: Chez Agnes
Why: mediocre food...3 different dishes all were unimpressive; wine was poured out of a box of wine on her kithcen counter (vs. a bottle)
Doug Wall in Winfield, IL USA 05/11/2009
Best: La Terrasse du 7eme
Why: We ate inside, upstairs on our last night in Paris. The waiters were very accommodating. Meal was delicious; atmosphere was private.
Karen Adair in San Diego, CA USA 05/09/2009
Worst: Brasserie Bofinger, le Marais, Paris
Why: we were ignored, the food (two had a 3 course "menu", two selected from the menu) did not match the descriptions, was cool (s/b warm/hot), tasteless and not worthy of the "famous for fish and traditional cuisine" plaudits on p. 386 of "Rick Steves' Paris. Of this 31 day tour, last fall's 30 day tour of Provence, last spring's month long tour of Greece and even our Christmas week in the Dominican Republic, this RANKED as the worst dinner...and at $75+ per guest, not the lowest cost. Maybe we should have gone across the street to "Petite Bofinger" or to McDonald's (joke, there).
Doug Hartt in Halifax, Canada 05/05/2009
Worst: Cafe Constant in Paris
Why: This was perhaps the worst dining experience in my life. They told us that it would be a ten-minute wait; it was more like forty. They seated us almost on the staircase that is in constant use by the waiters. Of our three starters only one was delivered correctly. The other two plates were completely wrong. One was corrected eventually. Of the three main courses, none was correct. Instead of chicken breast the plate had a leg and thigh. The explanation was that "we cut it in two." The other two plates did not come for another twenty or thirty minutes. The second chicken plate was also a leg and thigh, and they tried to pass off a small slice of chicken as steak. When they finally did deliver the steak, the rest of us looked on while one ate his dinner. Oh, yes, the wine was also bitter. I would never set foot in that place again. I find it incredible that it was recommended as a "fun" place. It was anything but that.
Mike Wavada in Enfield, CT USA 05/03/2009
Best: La Varangue
Why: Phillipe cooked up an excellent lunch. I had the plat du jour at 10.50 Eu, boeuf bourgignon (sp) which was a hearty and delicious meal. It was the best meal I had in Paris.
Swan in Napa, CA USA 05/01/2009
Best: Restaurant Pasco
Why: Delicious, well-presented food. I liked that he wrote his menu daily with fresh ingredients. Desserts were huge. Classy restaurant with good service.
Worst: Chez Agnes
Why: The food was fine (not exceptional) except dessert, though I was worried about food poisoning given the conditions of the restaurant. For dessert we had her soggy "homemade apple pie" served with ice cream that was full of ice crystals. The restaurant smelled of urine, probably from the dog running around on all the chair cushions. The owner was very strange about making sure we ate every last scrap of food. I had the escargot and apparently missed the inside of one of them because after taking my plate she came back with a snail on a fork and forced me to eat it saying I'd missed one. Weird and uncomfortable - she inspected my leftover food? She also kept coming over to tell by husband to pick up his lamb chop with his hands and chew off every last bit of meat. It was quite a turn off and disruptive to our meal. The list of odd behaviors goes on and on. Another example is when she handed us the paperwork on her dog to prove that he was from the USA (we didn't ask and didn't particularly care). The restaurant is very run down and decorated in a rather tacky manner. There was only one other customer in the restaurant that night. I think I know why - pretty bad. Quote from my husband "this place would probably be condemned in the U.S." Waste of our euros and I wished we had walked out as soon as we stepped inside. Rick Steves said this restaurant is not for everyone. Well, it certainly WAS NOT for us. Though I can't imagine why anyone would want to go there after our experience. I was so disappointed.
Also, I noticed that someone recommended Pizza Tina. That may be the worst food I've ever had in my life in a restaurant. When my husband sampled the sauce over my spaghetti he momentarily cringed because it was so horrible. Popular place though, but not sure why.
Nicole M in Minneapolis, MN USA 04/30/2009
Best: Le Pichet Chartres, France
Why: Did Rick's Paris day trip to Chartre and had lunch at Le Pichet. What a charming little "country" restaurant. Complete with good, old French country cooking and decor. This was our favorite meal of the entire week in Paris!
Cindy in Beavercreek, OH USA 04/30/2009
Best: La Varangue and Au Petit Tonneau, near Rue Cler, Paris
Why: Philippe is very entertaining and his chevre chaud salad is plate licking good as was his lobster bisque and the rest of the food. He caters very well to the American clientele, and that can make for a noisy and fun evening. Madame Boyer at Au Petit Tonneau was awesome as she took orders, cooked, and served about 25 people at once (a full house on a Sunday evening. The fish was great as were the entrees.
Eunice Luther in Holzhausen-Burbach, Germany 04/23/2009
Best: Cafe Du Marche on Rue Cler
Why: The food was very affordable and very delicious. I ordered the Poulet Roti and it came with a side of Pomme Puree and a salade verte. I also ordered a lovely glass of Bordeaux upon the very helpful waiters recommendation, a creme brulee and a cafe creme. The most enjoyable and delicious meal I had in Paris.
Eugenia in Bae, IL USA 04/22/2009
Best: Amorino Gelato
Why: Each spoon of it was heaven. And far less crowded than Berthillion
Sathish Jothikumar in Santa Clara, CA USA 04/09/2009
Best: Any Boulangerie and Amorino Gelato
Why: Visit any of the many boulangeries in Paris for a quick, delicious, and cheap lunch or dinner. Example: I had two HUGE croissants STUFFED with ham and cheese for only 6 Euros. I topped that off with a Grande gelato at Amorino Gelato for only 5 Euros.
Thomas Elliot in Nom de Plume, TX USA 04/07/2009
Best: Pizza Tina
Why: I have eaten at Pizza Tina on my last 5 trips to Paris and I am never disappointed! The food is so good (the fettucine with gorgonzola is just beyond great but remember the antacids for later), it is a great price (never more than 15 euro per person) and served in a quick but not rushed fashion. I highly recommend Pizza Tina!
Heather in pittsburgh, PA USA 03/11/2009