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Post by greyghost1 on Aug 2, 2007 15:04:20 GMT -5
I have been curious about this for a long time. It seems to me that some people go for the high end ones and it also seems that some of them are very disapointed with their experience. Is it that their expectations are too high?
Then others seem to rely on guidebooks etc. Some go to TA and here for recommendations.
Yet others seem just to pop in if they come across one that looks interesting. And then they seem to return back to that same resto several times during their stay. Is that because they are so relieved they found a 'good' one that they choose not to look further?
How do you pick where you are going to eat in Paris? And 2nd, what is it that has you returning to one again, after a first visit?
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Post by holger on Aug 2, 2007 15:35:36 GMT -5
Interesting question. We tend to follow restaurants reviewed by Gourmet, Food and Wine and other "foodie" magazines. There are also people on this site and others like Truffaut, Phread, IrishRovr who mention places. In addition, I check with the manager of the hotel we stay at. She eats out a great deal and is knowledgeable. When I find a place that looks promising, I will try to find their menus to see what typs of dishes they serve. Then we try to make our reservations before we leave. We do leave most lunches and some dinners open for spur of the moment. But we had a list last year and have one this year of "musts." there is one we enjoyed most last year that we may go back to this year. However, we also have so many new ones to try that that may not work out for Paris. Food was wonderful, ambience relaxed but elegant and service charming and price was reasonable.
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Post by annettecinca on Aug 2, 2007 18:49:53 GMT -5
Hi Betsy! This will be a fun thread! Unfortunately, my husband and I have different restaurant selection criteria I keep a nice list of recommendations, mostly from the boards, and would journey clear across the city to eat. But hubby prefers the "walk by" method--if 1) it looks good from the street, 2) the menu sounds promising, and 3) he's hungry, then that's the place! We have lots of fun compromising on where to eat every night
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Post by sistereurope on Aug 2, 2007 18:53:46 GMT -5
I look on "foodie" websites like Chowhound.com, and I rely on posts from people whose opinions I respect on boards like this one (too many to name !) I also look at other sites like Patricia Wells, and I bought a nice guide called "Paris by Bistro" that did not steer me wrong last trip.
OK, armed with all that data I make a list by arr. and hours open, etc. (Oh no, I'm not obsessive or anything ;D).
The only bad meal we ever had in Paris was on Easter Sunday in 2005...we were hungry and not anywhere near any place on my carefully researched list and we wandered into one of the few places that was open. Mistake!! So from then on I swore that I would either have reservations or take my list everywhere.
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Post by margaretlb on Aug 2, 2007 21:53:04 GMT -5
This is an interesting topic. I spend alot of time researching restaurants as part of my whole planning phase for a trip. For Paris, I rely on recommendations from "Paris Notes" (a monthly newsletter);Zagat (and I have fun posting reviews each year and therefore receive a free Paris Zagat when it's published ; Insight Guide "Eating in Paris"; the slowtalk and fodors message boards. I also seek out restaurants with chefs that belong to Maitre Cuisinniers de France (Master Chefs of France) who adhere to traditional recipes and hospitality. I usually visit for 2-3 weeks and plan ahead-I have the concierge make reservations before I arrive (depending on the table). I do revisit certain restaurants every time I'm in Paris: Brasserie Balzar, Le Reminet, Le Tour Restaurant, Les Olivides, Clos du Gourmet, Bistrot du Breteuil. Even with these "revisits" I've still plenty of meals to try new places. This last visit I found (and fell in Love with) Les Saveurs de Flora (av George V) - WOW. WOW,WOW!! So good we went for lunch two days in a row. In eight visits to Paris, I've only had one disappointment and that was this last trip: Aux Lyonnaise. Totally lacking in hospitality and a general feeling of getting the "bums rush" - and the food was definitely not worth the price or the trek to a uninteresting section of the 2nd.
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Post by annettecinca on Aug 2, 2007 22:13:58 GMT -5
Hey Margaret, welcome to the group! You're one of several fun new members the past few days--we're growing! Hope you enjoy the board.
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Post by margaretlb on Aug 2, 2007 22:38:51 GMT -5
Thanks for the welcome, Annette. I was so glad to see this site referred to on fodors. I'm always looking for Paris "reads" and this site is great. I'm sure I'll be a "regular"
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Post by GitteK on Aug 2, 2007 23:16:57 GMT -5
margaretlb - and a BIG bienvenue from me also ! It seems we have got another gourmet on the board (apart from Master Truffaut) who knows her way about in the Parisian food jungle !
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Post by geordy on Aug 3, 2007 7:35:29 GMT -5
I have lists and clippings from various newsletters, magazines, forums like this, etc. Plus old favorites. Usually hit one or two from above and then find "new" spots near where ever we are staying for dinner and where ever we find ourselves hungry for lunch. The one thing I've NEVER done is eat the same place twice in a trip! Except maybe for morning cafe/breakfast. Too many fine places, too little time!
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Post by Happygoin on Aug 3, 2007 7:44:04 GMT -5
I do mostly as geordy does. I have clippings from various magazines, articles etc. I have an ever-growing list of restaurants to try and, like geordy, have never eaten at the same place twice. I'd feel too much like I was missing somewhere else that might be worthwhile. The only time I was ever disappointed was Le Timbre.
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Post by Jody on Aug 3, 2007 7:55:51 GMT -5
Whoops I had Le Timbre on my list for Nov.!
We do revisit special places , it's like meeting an old friend, but we do try to add quite a few new ones in.
Le Pamphlet and L'Insulaire are definites for this next trip.
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Post by greyghost1 on Aug 3, 2007 10:45:21 GMT -5
Margaretlb...nice post. And welcome. I am adding Les Saveurs de Flora to my explore list. Geordy and Happy...I also use clippings and have had pretty good luck with them. Has anyone but me ever tried Le Saint Amour-Mr Lenoir E at 19, rue Etienne Marcel? A very small resto about 14 tables and mostly local business people. Only has a few choices but they are all excellent. No Englsih spoken. Mr Lenoir is the host/chef/tabac seller/bar tender etc.
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Post by Happygoin on Aug 3, 2007 11:26:02 GMT -5
demarais, you should try Le Timbre anyway. My experience only had to do with a duck breast that was full of gristle. I suppose you can get a bad piece of meat anywhere. It was fresh and the preparation was fine. The chef is British. It is just him and a girl who serves. It was mostly locals. I might have gone back except, as I said, there are so many other places to try. You definitely want to make reservations. It's quite small.
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Aug 3, 2007 11:28:07 GMT -5
Hi Margaret! Welcome, and thanks for this post!
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