Dear admack - ( considering retracting my original response). Are you from the U.S. ? If so, ask yourself, do you have $25 - 40 dollars to risk on lunch? I was just at comptoir, less than a week ago. I now consider ther restaurant a gamble, 50/50 chance it will be good. I probably won't return, as there are so many good places in Paris to enjoy.

COOKINGTHE BOOKS, will it (la cuisine de bar) be open the first week of September??

Ptipois, what you said is hysterical :) Thanks for the laugh out loud moment.

ardithl, maybe there has been a menu change. I have both visits ordered the sandwich mentioned above and the salad once w/a cappacino noisette, no dessert. Thanks for trying to help.

boredough - Let me start by saying Yum! Thank you. RE: Poliane, feeling a little lost. Looking at the bakery pic's i have a memory of buying a small apple bakery item and raison item at a bakery i didn't take notice of the name and enjoying siting at notre dame. On my last trip, i did walk into a Poliane and just saw bread, no bakery items or lunch cafe? I was in the 6th arr.

Thanks to a nice couple i was sitting next to who spoke fluent french and fluent english, my meal was great from begginning to end. I speak broken french. I'm looking foward to another good meal and would appreciate some help.
Last visit, I had a white fish (not sure what it was called...lute, it was on the dinner special list ) and i shared a frois gras (which i would never have ordered w/o the help of the nice people we sat next to). I'd be happy to order the same but i don't recall the name of the fish or frois gras. Help please.
Suggestions welcome, any fish (but tuna) or chicken dish.
Paul's I been to on two different visits to Paris. On my first visit, the person i was with ordered a yummy open face sandwich with tomato,cheese and seasoning and a basic side salad came with it.
We went the next day and the person i was with ordered a salad w/triangle pieces of different types of cheese going around the plate. I distinctly remember the menu being in english in small print below the french as how else did we get so lucky with our order. But on our last visit, not english menu available and i asked for one in french?? Once again the people next to us helped us out. Guess i should have written it down, too busy enjoying myself in paris. I went to Paul's website, its a chain in paris with some locations nicer than others but we go to the same location everytime. The website was not helpful, sharing a fixed menu which is not what you get when u go there. Its just a regular menu. I was hoping to translate their menu, so i could order that sandwich or salad again but no luck. Help appreciated with this as well. Thank you.

Parigi, thank you for the the french translation ( I speak broken french). Souphie, i believe had a negative experience compared to the overwhelming positive reviews i've read. But i thought someone on this blog was inferring that one location may do a better job than the other...?

FOR THOSE WHO HAD POSITIVE EXPERIENCE AT THE RESTAURANT, which location is better the 1st arr. or the 14th arr ? And, anyone know how to say John Dory (the fish) in french?

gdmack, i had a really good lunch at Comtoir. "PhilD" - I speak broken French. I had a great veal dish with the most yummy green beans (and i'm not even a green bean fan) & there may have been another vegetable mixed in. Before going i had read a review done by a food critic/chef with pictures of food i would liked to have ordered. I think one pic was of a beef stew. I kicked myself for not seeking out how to say it in french!! I felt i got lucky with what i ordered. I saw many people orderd salads, the safe thing to order. Any food suggestions to order, sticking with veal, beef, chicken or fish (no gelatin type meat)?

Thank you for the suggestions for purchases for my dinner on the train. Since Volpetti's is closed Sunday, looks like i'll have to make purchases Saturday and make arrangements w/the hotel to keep it refrigerated for train ride to my next destination. Any SUGGESTIONS for souvenirs that i can bring home via my suitcase?? Also, any info on Roscioli, re: purchase recommendations or if they are open on Sudays??

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Roscioli
Via dei Giubbonari 21/23, Rome, Lazio 00186, IT

I have two must go restaurants plus theses 3 I listed in the title. My first dinner will be after a day of flying plus three other dinners. I usually eat Gelato for lunch. All three restaurants, the food looks good. I especailly like what i see of "Casa Coppelle." Gusto is close to the hotel & Alle Carrette is close to the colosseum which i've already seen but think it would nice to see it at night all lite up. How to chose?

Thanks mbfant!! Any suggestions on purchases, a good salami, prochuitto, cheese or other recomendation. As i mentioned my main purchases will be for a train ride (dinner) to my next destination (for 3 people). Also i read they open in the morning and close midafternoon & reopen about 5pm for two or three hours? So i see myself arriving when they reopen at 5 pm as i have a 7 o'clock train to catch (as i write this i'm wondering if i should go earier in the day and ask the hotel to keep my purchases frigerated)... & oh, are they open Sundays? Hope this wasn't too many questions to ask.

Sernoff- great response! Validating that the staff speaks english, their helpful and samples given makes the store sound very welcoming. 4-6-ll Souvenir, i'll see if i can locate that posting. Thank you.

Some of the staff speak english & are a great source of information, is great to hear! It sounds like navigating Volpetti's will be easier than Peck's. Not being able to communicate, detered me from making futher purchases @ Pecks. Fair prices,is a relief as many people have raved about this place but mentioned high prices. THANK YOU for your help, it's much appreciated.

I hear "Volpetti's, is amazing but expensive. It sounds like a fancy market i went to in Milan. I don't want to be overwhelmed by the selection and prices. I don't speak Italian. I would like to purchase good tasting salami, italian ham and couple of cheeses for a meal to bring on the train to my next destination. Of course I would like to bring a souvenir home to but not something i have to ship. If anyone has reccommendations on what i spoke of that would be appreciated. (not sure i'm posting this in the right place as this is my first time posting a question on chowhound).