Un ami, Eric, m’a demandé:
Je me disais : si j’avais des amis américains qui venaient à Paris et qui me demandaient l’adresse de 3 restaurants “sympa-typique-parisiens” qui laissent un bon souvenir, je ne saurais pas quoi leur indiquer ! ! !
Où est ce que TOI – si tu étais américaine (!) – tu aimerais passer trois soirées dans trois restos sympas ?
Si tu peux réfléchir – ou poster la question sur ton blog pour voir ce que tes lecteurs (qui forcément connaissent Paris) – diraient, ça ‘intéresse.
C’est “l’attirance pour le charme de Paris” que j’aimerais cibler. Pourquoi ces restaurants sont-ils un “must”? Pas forcément chers (au contraire).

11 Etudiants offrent leurs préférences au public:

1. From Lisey G.
*  Avant ou après une visite du Louvre, j’aime diner en plein air  au Café Marly à côté du Louvre (1er arrondissement).  
* Hotel Lancaster: Le jardin est magique! It is a charming and quiet oasis close to the craziness of the Champs Elysée. Near rue de Berri in the VIII arrondissement.
* Les Deux Magots:   It can be touristy, but chic Parisians go there, too, and it feels so quintessentially Parisian that I love it.  The people watching is fantastic , and it is perfect location for lunch if you are wandering around the Left Bank. (VI arrondissement.)
* Café de l’homme:  This is in the Musée de L’homme.  I think this is an extraordinary place for dinner, for one reason: la plus belle vue de la Tour Eiffel que j’ai jaimais vue. Elle est meilleure que la cuisine!! The food and service are OK and I’m not sure if it still attracts a chi-chi crowd (The first time we were there, we saw two French movie stars.) but the view is to die for. (In the XVIe.)

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2. From Brigid O’D
* Les Deux Magots, 6 place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 75006 Paris
One of the oldest cafés in Paris, and named after the 2 wooden statues which are focal points of the interior decor. I like it for its historic connection to the cultural and arts scene, having been the “local hangout” for the likes of Sartre, Hemenway, Picasso and others. One can choose to sit outside and watch the world go by, or inside where it just feels so historic, and somewhat more intimate, but still offers the possibility of people-watching.  During our last visit there, the food was good, maybe a bit expensive, but we were paying for the experience as well as the cuisine
* Le Meurice, 228 rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
Très cher, mais un site magnifique pour les boissons – it is worth the price of a drink to lounge in the bar area legitimately and get to soak up the elegance and people-watch the discerning clientele!
* Lescure, 7, rue de Mondovi, 75001 Paris
In a hidden away corner behind the US Embassy and just off rue de Rivoli across from the Louvre and a few blocks from Le Meurice.  It can be noisy and crowded and you might even have to share a table with another party, but the cuisine is very good classic bistro food, the waiters are fun and the prices are very reasonable. Go to the Meurice afterwards for a night-cap!
* Outside of Paris, my all-time favorite is Restaurant Jacky Michel/Hotel d’Angleterre in Chalons-en-Champagne at 19, place Monseigneur-Tissier 51000 Chalons-en-Champagne.  An elegant, quaint, cozy hotel and restaurant whose chef is Maitre Cuisinier de France. The cuisine is divine!
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3. From Doug S.
Je ne sais pas la definition du meilleur restaurant.  Mais il y a deux restaurants que nous preferons:  Le Pre aux Clercs dans 30 Rue Bonarparte en Saint-Germain des Pres, et Le Montegrasso pres du Musee du Louvre dans la rue Saint Honore.  Il y a deux ans que nous avons dine dans Le Montegrasso et nous sommes impatients d’y retourner. Il est en face d’Hotel Normandy dans la rue Saint Honore.  Bon appetit!

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4. From Brian C.
I just got back from paris last week, so is actually fresh in mind.  Will not list any of the fancy-schmancy places that are terrific but which everybody knows, since that doesn’t seem to be what you are looking for.  Here’s three that are more “sympa-typique-parisiens” that I would recommend people check out for a mix of styles/places but all good.  Not Michelin 3 star, although still pretty well-known in guidebooks:
* le Comptoir – go for lunch – impossible to get dinner reservations but open 24/7 for lunch and don’t take reservations – sit outside on crowded café table and watch world go by – fantastic, simple.  mix of locals and tourists.
* le Chateaubriand – crowded, contemporary but fun and feels local, not touristy
* l’Atelier de Joel Robuchon – ok, this is fancy-schmancy, but the food is terrific and even though he has a few of these around the world now, the original is still the best.  if more than two or three, don’t go as the whole point is to sit at the bar.  
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5. From Robert McC.
“Best” is subjective, but “sympa” are the following.
* A wonderful memory of the French Bistro era with still memorable cuisine is Benoit, at the site of the former Les Halles market and near le Centre Pompidou.  I strongly recommend the Cassoulet maison (avec des haricot verts). I attach a photo of the restaurant, the menu, and some of the patrons.
* Another memorable place, although not particularly for its food, is the restaurant atop le Centre Pompidou with panoramic views of Paris. Its a wonderful place for a light lunch. Photo attached.
* A third choice is an Italian restaurant with wonderful pizza on a sidewalk cafe near rue Descartes and a Muslem Center, alas no photos or name. But ask your concierge.
Ces sont parmi mes favoris qui donneraient des bon souvenirs. 

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6. From Verme. C.                                                                                                                            La Coupole, certainly, because it was in all respects pleasing with a whiff of the prior century but principally because of the company of friends while there.

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7. From Barbara S.
Not based on prices:
* Le Dôme, 108 bd Mont Parnasse
* L’ Ami Louis, 32 rue du Verrebois
* Les Deux Magots et le Cafe Flor on the Left bank. Known for coffee, people-watching, and afternoon tea. I would avoid a meal, although the omelettes are decent.
* L’Entrecôte has a great old all-inclusive steak dinner with incredible French fries and is in the old Marais district. The neighborhood has great Jewish food and delis since it  was once the Jewish ghetto

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8. From Susan D.
1.  La Ferraindaise, 8, rue Vaugirard (6th)  33 1 43 26 36 36    Ce restaurant est petit mais tout est delicieux! Very reasonably priced with terrific food. A great value and one of our favorites!
2.  La Cigale Recamier (7th)
3. 4, rue Recamier (very near the Hotel Lutetia) 01 45 48 86 58.   Les MEILLEURS souffés au monde! J’adore le soufflé au caramel avec fleur de sel. The entrees and salads are also superb and I only see Parisian guests avec leurs chiens!
3.  Chez L’Ami Louis, 32, rue Vert Bois, 014 887 77 48.  The BEST roasted chicken in my opinion! Reservations only two weeks in advance. You MUST call the day of the reservation to reconfirm or your reservation is automatically cancelled.
4.  Maitre Albert, 1, rue Maitre Albert (5th)
A moderately priced Guy Savoy restaurant – good solid food in a lovely atmosphere on one of the oldest streets in Paris. The rice pudding for dessert is divine!
5.  Maison Kayser (5th), 14, rue Monge. Eric Kayser is the MASTER of bread. WE LOVED this lovely shop!
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9. From Susan F.
Georges at Pompidou Center
Laurent on the Champs Elysees
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10. From Meredith S.                                                                                                                          * Pierre au Palais Royal on rue de Richelieu

* Mediterraneo en face du Théâtre de l’Odeon

* the rooftop restaurant at the Pompidou Center. 

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From Ollie H.
I’m a big fan of Chez Paul,  13 Rue de Charonne in the 11th, near the Bastille.
It is an unassuming, kind of funky, quintessentially French restaurant. Most of the staff don’t seem to know English.  I just happened to have been going to this place for years, and whenever friends ask me for restaurant ideas, this is always the only one I give.  There is really nothing particularly special about this place, but for some reason, every single person I’ve sent there has loved it, so it’s become sort of a tradition.
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