DexterDog's Profile
If you only had 4 dinners in Paris where would they be?
I can tell you what they're going to be.
When my husband and I finish up our next trip to Europe with 4 nights in Paris, we're planning to eat at Chez L'Ami Jean, Itinéraires , Christophe and Spring - if Daniel Rose has re-opened by then.
Le Cinq vs. Guy Savoy - Engagement Dinner!
Maybe it's just me - but I don't enjoy big hotel restaurants as much as smaller, more intimate dining experiences. On that basis, I much preferred L'Astrance to Le Cinq....
Chez L'Ami Jean or Itinéraires?
Salut!
My mother & I will be in Paris for just over a week in late March/early April: her first time away from these antipodean shores.
We'll mostly be picking up fresh produce at various markets and cooking for ourselves - with the $AUD striving to reach €0.50 and several weeks in other destinations ahead of us, we have to watch our budget. However, I want her to experience a couple of meals, at least, in great Paris bistros.
We'll do the €13.50 lunch at Le Pre Verre on one day and I've narrowed the options for our second meal out down to Chez L'Ami Jean and Itinéraires in the 5th (though am open to other suggestions).
So - which one would you chose and why?
Also, I know that Itinéraires does a lunch special and also does a 3-tier one, two or three course prix fixe lunch/dinner menu - but I have no real idea of prices at Chez L'Ami Jean. Any indications - including whether they have a special lunch menu - would be greatly appreciated....
Leaving in 2 wks for Honeymoon in Australia - need restaurant advice!
Despite the fact the original posy was November 2006 (so meganinlosfeliz is coming up to anniversary number 2!) - Marque is not just good, it's up there with Michelin starred restaurants in France (but at half the price).
And Tetsuya's is a religious experience.
Itineraires - anyone been?
You mean you're not a tourist? I think Souphie has recommended it on this Board....
6th
www.v1.paris.fr/en/Living/markets/markets is a useful site for the location and opening times of various markets.
Le Bon Marche is like an Aladdin's Cave for people who love to eat – but pricey.
Itinéraires is an easy walking distance at 5 rue de Pontoise in the 5th. We haven’t been but heard good things from people we trust and plan to try it when we go back next year.
Thoughts on Maison BLanche for a special dinner?
Is Jules Vernes worth it? The venue is spectacular, but is the food?
Paris- Latin Quarter
Le Pré Verre for good food at tremendously good prices. Heard good things about Itinéraires. Also, close by on the Ile St Louis, Mon Vieil Ami is a place we always go back to.
Restaurant suggestions for 40th bday?
We celebrated my 41st birthday at Taillevent – which was fantastic, regardless of having been dropped to 2 stars.
Guy Savoy’s restaurant looks superb – but at €275 per person for the degustation menu without wine, it’s very pricey….
Paris - 5th arrondissement Restaurants
We love Le Pré Verre for good food at tremendously good prices and have heard good things about Itinéraires. If you venture just across the Seine, Mon Vieil Ami is a place we go back to every time we visit Paris…..
Guy Savoy-Wonderful/L'Astrance-Weak
We ate at L'Astrance in 2006, before it got its third star and loved it. Sorry you were disappointed – and grateful for the feedback because we were intending to go back, early next year. Will have to keep our eyes on the Board to see if your experience of the place is shared by others.
Picnic for a crowd in Paris
I have a note in my research that L'Epicerie Fine on the Rue Cler does gourmet picnic baskets and it's close to the Parc du Champs de Mars – but I don't know where I got that information. Possibly from Rick Steves' site – I have a recollection of him waxing lyrical about Rue Cler (though we thought there were better markets).
You could also try Le Bon Marche's La grande épicerie – though unlikely to be cheap.
How much is that menu on your website?
Thanks Jen - hadn't seen that site before and it's really helpful.
How much is that menu on your website?
Hi all.
I’m researching restaurants for my mother’s 66th birthday – which will be in Rome next year (yes - I like to plan ahead). We’re looking for something special – but not madly expensive. Her birthday is also on a Monday, which narrows the choices some. For example, L’Altro Mastai – which I discovered on a list on Maureen Fant’s site and which looks great – is closed Mondays.
What I’m finding really frustrating, though, is so few places tell you how much you’re likely to be up for – L’Altro Mastai and Il Pagliaccio (another find from Maureen’s page) being the notable and welcome exceptions. (Maybe it’s an Italian thing. Everyone in Sydney, even Tetsuya’s, gives the prices on their websites….)
So, can anyone tell me what the average prices are at Agata e Romeo and Il Convivio Troiani – for both the carte and the tasting menus (and also for the vino, if possible)???
I’d also like to get a feel for the prices at Al Presidente (even though it not open for dinner Mondays) and La Buca di Ripetta, which looks really – though more casual.
More than happy to look into any other places Chowhounders might like to recommend, too. I've got heaps of time....
Five days/nights in Aix en Provence
We also really enjoyed La Fourcette in Avignon, which was our base for exploring Provence, for its traditional provencal fare done perfectly. Book ahead for a seat by the window.
Numero 75 (Le 75, rue Guillaume Puy), recommended by our hosts at the maison d'hotes Lumani, was also a favourite. Innovative dishes using the freshest ingedients in a beautiful old buliding near an old water wheel.
Trip Report: Ravenna (long)
Great report. By the way, can you remember what the prices were like for the pasta at Ristorante Bella Venezia? We're planning a day at Revenna on the way from Cortona to Venice, and I'm looking for a place for a good bowl of lunch-time pasta that isn't too expensive...
Eloping in Paris in May-- dinner rec in the 1st or 4th (Marais, Les Halles, etc.) requested
Pamphet has gone down in our estimation - the bland makeover seems to have seeped into the food. Mon Vieil Ami on the Ile St Louis is a better choice.
3-Star Lunch Recs - Guy Savoy Closed
We've eaten at L'Astance when it was 2*, Taillevent when it was 3* and 2*, Le Cinq (I think it was 3*) and Table du Lancaster (I think it's 1*).
I would go back to L'Astrance, Taillevent and Table du Lancaster in a hearbeat.
L'Astrance has innovative food, modern decor and service that is performance art. Since we were there, the chef has earned his third star which I'm guessing means he's learned not to push the envelope that bit too far (there were a couple of dishes that were a bit wobbly the night we were there).
Taillevent is a more formal in atmosphere - but the food is supurb and the service exceptional. I'll never forget the foi gras based in vine leaves which the sommelier matched with an aged maderia.... what a way to turn 41.
The Table du Lancaster's food was inventive and well balanced, the service pleasant and the price a (comparative) bargain. Loved the setting, too.
The food and wine at Le Cinq were great food and the place was extremely elegant - you have to love the little stools for your purse - but, in my view, it was just too expensive and took itself too seriously. I guess it's what happens when you're part of a big, posh hotel....
Honeymoon in Paris - one splurge dinner - where?
We loved L'Astrance and Taillevent - though they're very different.
Agree with Souphie: Michelin is a better guide than Zagat.
Rome, Florence, Naples, and Amalfi
We liked La Giostra in Florence (recommended by Jen Kalb). Planning to try All'Antico Ristoro di Cambi when we go back next year - I think it has been recommended on this board.
We had some great meals out the week we were in Rome (lunch at Armando al Pantheon was a highlight) but we cooked at our apartment on the Sunday night, so can't really help. However, there always seemed to be nice-looking places open in Trastevere. We ate at a great, family run place the night of a public holiday - it was packed with locals and tourists - and there were lots of other places nearby that were open and buzzing. Might be worth a try.
NY'ers first time to Canberra & Melbourne--Seafood?
We always go back to Cafe di Stasio when in Melbourne. Reasonable prices, good food (though occasionally a little heavy on the salt). Love the wine from their own estate, too.
Jaques Reymond was good if you want a quite formal fine dining experience but interesting food. Vue de Monde is a must.
Outside Melbourne, Pettavel Winery's restaurant was a fantastic place for long lunch.
Tassie - report back
Loved Daniel Alps at Strathlyn.
Fee & Me takes itself too seriously - I would give it a miss for Stillwater River Cafe and Restaurant.
Enjoyed Lebrina in New Town, Hobart.
Anybody have an opinion of the most romantic restaurant in Sydney?
Marque on Crown Street in Surry Hills for a small, intimate dining experience with seriously good food. No views - that's not what this place is about. But it's as good as two+ Michelin starred places we've eaten in Paris and less than half the price.
Tetsuyas, if you can get in, is a religious experience. Beautiful venue, sublime food.
Never been, but heard great things about Becasse.
Less pricey but also with really good food, stylish decor and nice views to the Glebe Island (now called Anzac) Bridge is The Boathouse at Blackwattle Bay. Slight more casual, but still very nice, is The Wharf restaurant which has views to the Harbour Bridge.
I think Otto is overpriced and over rated - but I wouldn't say no if someone else was paying. Same for Guillaume at Bennelong (though its in a different league to Otto).
Birthday Dinner MUST TRY in Sydney!
We've only tried Rockpool once. The food was good, but not mindblowing (the mindblowing bit was the bill).
We like The Wharf in The Rocks area - very reasonably priced for what it is: great food, great views of the harbour and the Harbour Bridge. Tim Pak Poy, formerly of Claudes in Woolahra, is one of the owners. Mains around $35.
The Boathouse at Blackwattle Bay is a bit more expensive (mains $35 - $45), but dependably beutifully cooked, beautifully presented fish. The oyster menu, which varies by what is in season, is amazing. Not to be missed if you are a fan of those wobbly bivalve mollusks.
looking for an affordable sea food restaurant in sydney, with nice harbor views around circular key and or the rocks.
I agree with MaestroSid - The Wharf is the place to go in that area for really good food at reasonable prices with stunning views. Tim Pak Poy, who ran the 3-Hatted Claudes in Woolahra, is one of the owners.
The Boathouse on Blackwattle Bay is also really good and has a nice view over the bay to the Glebe Island (renamed Anzac) Bridge. It's a bit pricier than The Wharf - but has an amazing selection of oysters which varies by what's in season.
Doyles is the most expensive fish and chip shop in Sydney (possibly the word). Over rated and over priced.
I've only eaten at Rockpool once (before the make over). It was good, but not mind blowing - which it should have been for the price.
If you're after that kind of dining experience, head to Surry Hills. Marque, on Crown Street, is as good, if not better, than Michelin-starred restaurants we've been to in Paris. Only much cheaper.
16th arrondissement Unique Restaurants
L'Astrance is in the 16th and has just been awarded its third * (at least, it was ** when we were in Paris in April/May 2006 and now has three). The service is performance art and the food was fantastic – except on the odd occasion where they pushed the envelope that bit too far. Perhaps the chef has found the perfect balance since (hence that third *).
But, depending on how much time you've got, I wouldn't be looking to eat in the 16th just because you are staying there. There are great restaurants all over Paris that are easy to get to by public transport – which is cheap, quick and reliable. www.ratp.info has an amazing trip planner for Paris bus, metro and RER services.
paris [Moved from International board]
I'm with Chazeerking - we made a return visit to Taillevent on Monday (10 September) and still think it is one of the all round best dining experiences (which, for us, includes the food) around. We had the Discovery Menu which the sommelier matched with spectacular wines (including a 20 year old madeira with the foie gras (baked in fig leaves). There are no words to describe.
But, as Rubyyao doesn't like Taillevent, we can second the l'Astrance recommendation – we ate there in April/May 2006 and really enjoyed it. The service is performance art and the food was (mostly) brilliant. Occasionally, the chef wobbles on the tightrope he's walking – but maybe he's found perfect balance since then, hence the third *.
Enjoy!
Restuarant name at the top of the Pompidou Center?
We got a window table without reservation when we were in Paris last year - but the permanent collection was closed while the Centre was being renovated, so the place wasn’t full.
I had the club sandwich - it was expensive and the bread was stale. Partner's pasta was better - but not great. I would definitely go elsewhere (we're trying L’Ambassade d’Auvergne this trip).
Asian food Sydney CBD
The Thanh Binh is a brilliant Vietnamese restaurant at the top end of King Street, Newtown. Outside the peak periods, it's about a 10 minute bus trip on any of the Sydeny Buses' routes starting with 42.
Suggestions needed for Paris & Provence.
Le Pamphlet in the Marais is amazing value – from memory, about 50€ per head for the three course meal. And I think that's because we had the "specials," which were a supplement over the standard menu. We ate there twice during our 3 week stay, we liked it so much.
We also enjoyed Mon Vieil Ami (on Ille St Louis) and La Table Lauriston (in the 16th) at very reasonable prices for the quality of the cuisine.
We'll be trying La Fourchette when we're in Avignon – looks like good value and great food.
