I haven’t been to Au Petit Sud Ouest for several years so I’m glad to hear that they continue to provide friendly service and tasty food. As for Les Cocottes—if I were a tourist, I don’t think I would make a point of going here unless I could plan to be there before the crowd lines up and this would rule out dinner pretty much. Since I live here I have this luxury! When I go it’s for an early lunch when people are in and out more quickly. The line of people waiting for a table along the counter does detract from one’s dining experience. Thanks for taking the time to write up a detailed and informative trip report! Your input is appreciated.

I see no one has responded so I'll go ahead. I don't know of any restaurants that accept reservations so far in advance. The issue you need to be most concerned about is if the restaurant is open--many close in August.

For escargots, try the frozen food store Picard. They offer various sizes in the shell. If the kids like them then you and they can try ordering them at a restaurant. But this way is inexpensive and they aren't bad. Just by some excellent baguette to go with. Enjoy!
http://www.picard.fr/Modules/LaBoutiq...

I regularly take back cheese (to the U.S.). Only once did customs ask about the cheese and for good measure they x-rayed it to make sure there wasn't any liquid type cheeses.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/deta...

"-Cheese- Solid cheese (hard or semi-soft, that does not contain meat); butter, butter oil, and cultured milk products such as yogurt and sour cream are not restricted. Feta cheese, Brie, Camembert, cheese in brine, Mozzarella and Buffalo Mozzarella are permissible (USDA Animal Product Manual, Table 3-14-6). Cheese in liquid (such as cottage cheese or ricotta cheese) and cheese that pours like heavy cream are not admissible from countries affected by foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Cheese containing meat is not admissible depending on the country of origin."

Thanks everyone. We ended up going to Fiore and really enjoyed the great atmosphere, friendly service and fresh bread and veggies! It was a perfect way to follow up our visit to the gardens.

Looks very good! Thanks.

Yes, I think I'll pass on the sundaes! But Daisy Mint looks good too. Thanks for the rec.

Thanks! This looks good.

Meeting friends at the gardens on Saturday but want to avoid the the tea room and cafe on site (it isn't anything special, imo). Any recommendations for something in Pasedena, close to the gardens, that is mid-range in price ($15 per person) and has decent seating for a party of five. Open to suggestions (ethnic, soup and salad, diner, etc.) but most important is that the food is tasty!

As has been much talked about on other threads, yes, you should definitely reserve, whenever you have the possibility to do so, even if it's an hour before the time you hope to be seated. And especially since there are six of you, reserving will help things go more smoothly. In the case of Breizh Cafe you will see that it is a tiny place and many restaurants in Paris are small, particularly if one is using American standards for comparison.

http://www.auberge-bressane.com/01_me...

Auberge Bressane is open Sundays and serves lots of meat and good fries.

Many thanks for your comments which are extremely current! I haven't been to Thoumieux since it changed hands as I was hesitant about the cost/value ratio. I think I will go there for lunch first and try it out. Regarding the lighting, I have a "flashlight" app on my iPhone that I have been known to use to read menus in dimly lit venues...I will be prepared.

Can anyone tell me what the fixed menu prices are for dinner? or if there are there fixed menus at dinner in addition to à la carte? Merci!

If you like toothiness (which I prefer too) try Patrick Roger's simple but sublime chocolate covered caramels which are sold with the chocolates rather than the caramels. I got it at the boutique on Victor Hugo. I frequent all of the shops and find that the inventory varies slightly from one place to the other so you may not find it at each of the boutiques.

I don't know if they are any cheaper Patrick Roger makes awesome caramels too.

Here is more info on Larnicol from David Lebovitz. http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2011/01/larnicol-kouign-amann-in-paris/ plus his recipe for kouign aman: http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2005/08/...
I've tasted them at Larnicol and concur with Ptipois. But I did not warm up the kouignettes. I'm sure they would have benefitted from a little heat and softening up.

And also remember to bring back the cork lid. I had forgotten to do so once before and they were not so cheerful about giving me a new one.

I almost always get the "Boudin Basque" at La Fontaine de Mars--I love it. The boudin noir is taken out of it's casing and is served delicately mounded on a bed of slightly sweet caramelized apples. The boudin is consistently perfectly served, slightly crisp on the outer edges and delectable towards the center.

For more info on the restaurant itself check out this recent thread: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/793337

I've lived in Paris for 20 years. I'm American and my tendency had been to go out of my way to leave extra. Years ago I tried to leave a big tip (20 euros) on a 100 euros tab and the owner of the small establishment outright refused, embarrassed that I had done such a thing. All of my French friends do not leave extra except for the ones who have lived in the US. And those only round up. Again, there is no shame or "meanness" in not leaving more than what the tab calls for. A few coins is nice but it isn't really linked to what kind of service you will get when/if you return. It's the relationship that you build with the wait staff, chef and owners. Obviously, I have the privilege of doing that since I live here! Tourists can be "nice" if they want but overtipping is what tourists do, not the French. If the wait staff seem to be expecting extra then you are clearly in a place that caters primarily to tourists, a place that probably isn't about the food. I have never experienced waiters that seemed to be expecting a tip or even working for that extra tip. They are what they are--that's what is so charming! Long ago when my mother-in-law visited we went to a cafe and had a fairly surly but efficient waiter. She commented "I don't think the waiter likes us". I laughed thinking, that is an American perspective. I have reminded myself often, over the years, it's a different culture and different social environment. And clearly the issue of tipping is a good example of this.

This is very good advice from David Lebovitz:

"Tips are always included in the amount shown on the check. In Paris, it’s fine to round-up in smaller restaurants, such as if the check is 19€, it’s okay to leave 1€ extra if you get very good service, but never required. In general, it’s acceptable to leave up to 5% extra for very attentive service. But some Parisians get upset that Americans leave generous tips, rightfully fearing it will lead to future earnings expectations."

I round up when I pay with cash (if it's convenient) but I don't go out of my way to leave a few extra euros and I rarely add extra when I pay by credit card. There is no shame in not leaving extra.

Either place is good just so you know you have the two options if you go on Wednesday or Friday. Le Petit Josselin is very small and crowded--you will be elbow to elbow--if you end up going there. But I think your stomach will be satisfied!

If you want to try "galettes" this is one of the best places in Paris, IMO. It gets crowded quickly so if you can get there early (before 12:30) you shouldn't have to wait for a table. Le Petit Josselin is open on Mondays and I actually prefer it to Creperie Josselin (which is closed on Mondays). It's a place I take my younger visitors to (in their 20s) and they rave about it.

Am I going crazy or did you find L'Agassin? How was it?

Not to be pedantic but it's "une carafe d'eau". I know because I often mess it up!

Does anyone know what happened to L'Agassin on rue Malar? It is now a Thai restaurant called Kinnari.

Thanks for the report. I've never been but plan to go in the next year!

That is our exact favorite assembled meal too! I think everyone in Paris has a favorite "chicken man" at their local marché. @ kybrote, note also that Monoprix, charcuteries and bakeries continue to increase their selection of prepared meals for easy "take out". It can be expensive depending on your choices, but doesn't have to be--another option for you, especially if you don't want to go out all the time.

Visit Brussels. It's only a little over an hour by train. Best place to explore beer!

It's funny someone should ask about this. I've resorted to growing my own chiles and am waiting for my Colorado chiles to turn red. I may have to harvest them before they do however as fall is in the air. Next year I will buy some jalapenos and try to grow those too. I don't know about any South American markets but you can get the super hot Scotch Bonnet chiles often at Monoprix and small hot Thai peppers in Asian groceries. Looking forward to any responses about South American stores in Paris...

Seriously, I've never met a MC pavé I didn't like! I wonder if hongkongfoodie wasn't having interference from sensory overload with all of the field testing going?! ;-)