7th-9th
Les Cocottes - Light well priced meals
Open in 2007, this reasonably priced restaurant (from 14 to 26 euros á la carte) is casual laid-back dining with fresh and tasty dishes. If you are after a ‘lighter’ meal like just a plate of 'crème de lentilles' (6€) or an omelette (8€) - your choose of filling, this is the place. Of course their main are very enticing - 'Cocotte of wood pigeon is a seasonal special, with a purée of creamy potatoes' (22€) or 'Shoulder of lamb confit, Boulangere potatoes' (15€).
www.leviolondingres.com
135 rue Saint-Dominique
Le Marée
A bit of an institution in Paris, particularly for their Brittany Oysters. Fresh fish, langoustines and lobster arrives daily from all parts of the Atlantic. English spoken. Air-conditioning and parking are available.
Expect to pay between 75 et 100€ pp for this seafood experience.
Metro: Terne. Bus n° 93, 43, 31.
www.lamaree.fr
1 rue Daru our 258 Faubourg St Honoré 75008 t: 01 43 80 20 00
Nabulione
Its new, its hip, open for just cocktails or something more substantial like an 'Entrecote Angus Aberdeen' or 'Sole Meuniere'. Its traditionally french with some classic Italian flavours. A young groovy Parisian crowd.
www.nabulione.com
Angle Av. de Breteuil et 40 Ave Duquesne 7th t: 01 53 86 09 09
Palace Elysee
Newly opened mid 2008, a rather elegant place for a drink or meal if you are situated in the 'Golden Triangle'. The menu reflects traditional French cuisine such as 'Foie Gras', 'Seasonal Asparagus', 'Cassoulet' however some meals promote Asian influences such as their 'Homard tempura, brochettes de légumes grillés fine bisque, gingembre, citronnelle, curry rouge'(Tempura Lobster with grilled vegetables of ginger, lemon and red curry).
www.palace-elysee.com
20 rue Quentin Bauchart 75008 t: 01 40 70 19 17
A great cheap EAT - Chartier
This is a very traditional French restaurant frequented by locals. The menu, also traditional, proudly displays the 'love of game and offal' - boiled veal's head, tripe, sweetbreads. But there's also the classic 'bouef bourguignon and 'pot-au-feu' or just your classic 'steak/farm chicken and chips'. Entrees start from 3 euros and mains around 11. Leave room for dessert and try something different like 'Baba au Rhum with Chantilly cream'. I don't think there's anywhere else in Paris your can buy 6 escargots for 6 euros. Bon appetit.
www.restaurant-chartier.com
7 rue du Faubourg, Montmartre t: 01 47 70 86 29
Les Ombres
Rooftop dining at the top of the Musée du Quai Branly. You’ll need to book ahead as a very ‘well heeled’ crowd gather for mid-week lunches and to enjoy the ‘international’ cuisine. This is an adventurous menu. A casual option is the Café Branly with terrace dining. What a great way to end of the day after a visit to the museum.
M: Pont de L'Alma.
www.lesombres-restaurant.com
Musée du Quai Branly 37 quai Bandly t: 01 47 53 68 00
Cafe de la Paix
This elegant building was designed by the same architect as the Opera National de Paris Palais Garnier. It is still magnificent and may be well worth the visit to experience pasteries by famous chefs. Its large and can be touristy but the outdoor seating is well occupied by Parisians.
www.cafedelapaix.fr
5 place de l’Opera, 75009
L'Atelier De Joël Robuchon
Go early as you cannot reserve at night. Apparently you can now reserve for lunch however. With sister 'L'Ateliers' in London and New York, the food is exceptional. Wonderful choices of wine by the glass. The Atelier is however not great for more than two as talking as the bar is difficult, great for a couple but I wouldn't recommend if you want to catch with friends. We were a party of four and found it hard to chat 'ensemble'. The food however was better than I could have imagined, you can go for 'degustation of tasters' or just a plat. Ask, they were very helpful but do allow 60-80pp but that should get you a bottle of wine.
www.joel-robuchon.com
5, rue Montalembert - 75007 t: 01 42 22 56 56