OK, not Midnighter, but I saved this tome last year and I
think it was his posting (or possibly he emailed me direct.. can't recall).
But the info is invaluable. imo, of course
We dined at le coupe chou but i think that is a more romantic venue. From a pure touristy pov, Le Grand Colbert works great because every time your mom watches Something's Gotta Give she can relive being there. We did it for my wife's 50th and even now she tears up... wasn't our best meal, but the memory factor is cool.
here goes...
[note I cut down to just eats and drinks]
Places to Eat/Drink:
- Lauduree, Champs Elysees: It's more of a coffee/tea/chocolatier type place, but they make THE BEST club sandwich and fries I've ever had. It's not that cheap, but a great place to grab a thick milkshake and again, the club sandwich.
http://www.laduree.fr/
- Le Procope: It's the western world's oldest continuously running restaurant/bar. My wife and I celebrated here after getting engaged. Very quaint, but a cool experience.
http://www.procope.com/
- Le Coupe Chou: Very nice, intimate place in the Latin Quarter. Not overly expensive, but very romantic (okay, I proposed here...).
http://www.lecoupechou.com/. Get the boeuf en cocotte appetizer - insanely decadent!
- La Relais de Entrecote: There are a few of these around Paris, and they even have one in New York (Paris is the original...), but it's awesome if you love steak, fries, and wine. That's basically the only thing on the menu (and the line for this place is usually out the door). I went to the one near the Champs Elysees, and we got a seat pretty easily though. They serve steak with a special sauce with delicious fries. You can order wine or beer too, and for around 25 euros per person it's a great deal. They'll refill your plate a couple times too and all the waitresses are in traditional French 'maid' garb...
http://www.relaisentrecote.fr/
- La Guillotine/Le Caveau des Oubliettes 52, Rue Galande, 75005 ParisMetro Saint Michel. I've never been here, but it's on the list. Very cool bar that is home to the last guillotine in Paris. They have live music and a really good reputation; smaller place that isn't a tourist haven either. If you check it out, let me know...
St. Germain des Pris (6th Arrd.) is the best place to people watch. Two famous cafes sit nearly side by side - Les Deux Magots and Cafe De Flore. Great place for after dinner drinks and hanging out. Always lively and a lot of fun. We tend to stay just around the corner from here on Rue de Buci. There is also a Relais de Entrecote steakhouse on the same street as Cafe De Fleur. These are great, classic French cafes. We saw Karl Lagerfeld buying newspapers at the stand next to Cafe de Fleur one night!
- Les Deux Magots, 6 Place Saint-Germain des Prés 75006- Cafe de Flore, 172 Boulevard Saint-Germain 75006- Relais de l'entrecôte, 20Bis Rue Saint-Benoît
There is a crepe stand near here too (right next to the St. Germain of Pres Church - the oldest church in Paris) where you can get sweet crepes relatively cheap. But, if you're into savory crepes (and who isn't?), you can get some of the best in the Paris relatively cheap (their lunch combos come with dry cider - yum!).
Check out:
- Breizh Cafe, 109 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75003- Little Breizh (in St. Germain),11 Rue Grégoire de Tours
For fancier dining at a place owned by some top notch young Americans, check out Verjus. I went here earlier this year and it didn't disappoint. It's a bit expensive and they only do tasting menus. If you only want to have a cocktail or something, they have a great bar that is very casual (reservations recommended!).
- Verjus, 52 Rue de Richelieu, 75001 Paris
Another outstanding 'classic' French restaurant we discovered on our last trip is Joséphine "Chez Dumonet". I think Jennifer Aniston said this is her favorite place to eat in Paris. Get a reservation!
- Joséphine "Chez Dumonet",117 Rue du Cherche-Midi, 75006 Paris
At some point you're going to want something sweet. Best hot chocolate and brunch in Paris is at Angelina. It's super decadent! Try to time this right because there is usually a line out the door.
- Angelina, 226 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
Le Coupe Chou in the Latin Quarter