I would like to second the recommendation of Domaine Dupont. I've been there twice and thoroughly enjoyed the visits. In addition, we bought several bottles which they very efficiently shipped to us in Florida.

We went there for New Year's Eve and had a great time--mostly because of our table mates. There was a prix fixe menu, of course, which was fine but the wine pours were skimpy. The dishes were good, but not great--more wine would probably have ameliorated our viewpoint.

I encourage you to arrange for a car to be picked up at the Tours TGV station. You won't regret having the freedom to explore the area. We used Vouvray as our base, stayed at the Manoir de l'Echeneau. It was wonderfully quiet and welcoming after a full day of visiting chateaux and wineries!

I've found that the service at Patois is unreliable in quality. Coquette, on the other hand, was much better.

Restaurant August has a wonderful sounding vegetarian menu composed of several courses. Everything they do is outstanding, so I think the vegetarian offering would worth trying.

We stopped by Butcher yesterday on our way out of NOLA--happy to have a cooler for the merguez and boudin-stuffed quail. The leftover roast beef poboy didn't travel nearly so well!

I would suggest walking across street to the Place Dauphine. There are several restaurants there, and the Place is a lovely spot.

I would like to recommend Le Mas des Grès (http://www.masdesgres.com/). It's a small inn run by Nina and Thierry Crovara. He's the chef and she's the innkeeper. It's very close to Ile-sur-la Sorgue. The Mas des Grès has been our "home away from home" for years now--the welcome and the food are always outstanding. May is a really busy month, so you need to reserve as soon as possible.

I was in Amboise this past September and stayed at Le Pavillon. I loved the hotel, parking was convenient, and both breakfast and dinner were outstanding. It's very nice to be within walking distance of the things to see in town.

I've been to Frenchie and loved it--will check to see if it's open then. I am not familiar with Passage 53 but will research it as well. I do appreciate your comments.

Yes, if it were just up to me and my husband, we would do just that. However, our friends really would be disappointed not to go out. We've been to Au Chien Qui Fume, but it would be nice to do something else. I do cook the rest of the time we're there since we're right off of Montorgueil, so I feel obliged to find a restaurant with a really nice menu for that night. The last time I was on the Champs-Elysées on New Year's Eve the Champagne bottles thrown in the air were a real hazard. Thanks for your suggestions--I have read all the other references on this subject, but thought someone might have an inspiration!

I would appreciate some suggestions for New Year's Eve this year in Paris. For the last three years we've gone to the same restaurant. This year, we would like a change. The four of us have apartments in the 2nd and would prefer to walk that evening. What do you think?
Sandra