I would also recommend Le Belisaire in the 15th. I've always had great meals there. Also, I would recommend Je thè...me http://www.yelp.com/biz/je-thè-me-par... not far from Le Belisare. The owner Jacky is charming and it's located in a preserved early 20th century confectionery/tea shop. Their onion confit is amazing.

I went to an event at the Georges V catered by Le Cinq last weekend and found it to be excellent. Granted it wasn't a tasting menu as we had fois gras and lamb. The fois gras was firm and rich and the lamb was prepared with a simple reduction sauce.

our favorite picnic spot are the grassy areas at the park at the champs de mars - eiffel tower. Head over to rue cler a nearby market street for provisions. Also, even though it officially prohibited I've never had a problem with drinking wine there so bring a corkscrew!

The ambiance and service at Pierre Gagnaire was excellent when I ate there. While I enjoyed the meal and the food was excellent with the appetizer tasting menu and the entree menu it was just too much. I'd much rather eat high end bistro. Also, the wine list is amazing there.

You can certainly wing it in Paris with decent results. As in many very visited cities there are restaurants who coast on their reputation or those that are average but overpriced. Many of the better places that have outstanding food night in and out for reasonable prices are often require a reservation. If you're in Paris on the 18th you should still be able to reserve at many places.

Some of my favorites are La fountaine de mars, Le Timbre, La Bloucard, Casse Noisette. Another great resource is the Paris foodie blog Paris By Mouth http://parisbymouth.com/

Chez Robert and Louise in the Marais has a lot of atmosphere and is informal. They grill the steaks over a wood burning fireplace. I would take my kids of the same ages there for and early dinner.

Patricia Wells conducts cooking classes but I think they are kind of pricey. http://patriciawells.com/
Le Cordon Bleu also has full and half day workshops.

We had an anniversary dinner recently at Chalet des Iles located on a small lake in the Bois de Boulogne. It's just a few minutes by taxi outside of Paris. There is very short ferry ride to the restaurant which is a lot of fun.

The food was good and the atmosphere was very warm. In the warm weather months you can eat outside.

http://www.chalet-des-iles.com/

Trianon Palace hotel which is located in the wooded area behind the Chateau and has a great outdoor eating area. The Gordon Ramsey restaurant is in the hotel but there's a separate restaurant (possibly managed by the same staff?) that's more reasonable.

I've eaten at Le Casee Noix which is just on the other side of the champs des mars twice in the past month and have had great meals. The also have a reasonable priced wine list.

Cafe Constant in the 7th is also very good and reasonably priced
http://www.cafeconstant.com/1.aspx

Here are some of my current favorites for charcuterie and wine. I live in Paris and import French wines to the US and have listed some other favorites in the link below. Enjoy your visit!

Grain Noble
8, rue Boutebrie
75005 Paris

Over 25 wines are offered by the glass and are perfectly preserved to prevent oxidation in Enomatic wine dispensing machines. An assortment of high quality cheeses, carpaccio, charcuterie and smoked trout all served with the excellent breads of Boulangerie Eric Keyser

Frenchie Wine Bar
5-5 rue du Nil
75002 Paris

Not just meats and cheeses but creative menu some of the same dishes as the impossible to get into Frenchie restaurent accoss the street No reservations are accepted here so it’s first come first serve. Fair priced and selective wine list.

http://www.robertsfinewines.com/wine-...

This is one of the best in Paris in my opinion. The supply many restaurants and age their cheeses in their own cellars.

FROMAGERIE LAURENT DUBOIS
2 Rue de Lourmel 75015 Paris