Josephine Chez Dumonet is a popular old school Bistro in the 6th Arrondissement, St. Germain, not far from the Jardin du Luxembourg. It was open in 1898 and is run by 3rd generation Jean-Christian Dumonet. We came to this restaurant to feel what Paris felt like in the old days. They serve half portions so you can sample lots of cuisine. They are known for excellent boeuf bourguignon, steak tartare, and roasted saddle of lamb. Our first visit was in 2009 and we returned in 2024.
France
Using your iPhone in France – Android Prepaid Sim Card
Posted on October 16, 2010Be sure to secure your iPhone or Android Smartphone whenever you travel. Precautions will help prevent disaster.
Lao Tseu Restaurant Review, Paris, France
Posted on October 11, 2009Lao Tseu, which means Old Master in Chinese, is a Restaurant Chinois or Chinese restaurant in Paris’s 7th right on busy Saint Germain Boulevard. We were looking for some non French cuisine to vary things a little bit.
Chez Vong Restaurant Review, Paris, France
Posted on October 10, 2009Chez Vong is a fancy Chinese / Vietnamese restaurant located in the 1st Arrondissement, specifically the Les Halles area of Paris. We wanted some Chinese food for a change, so we decided to try this place.
L’As du Fallafel Restaurant Review, Paris, France
Posted on October 10, 2009L’As du Fallafel is a very popular, low cost Middle Eastern Fallafel restaurant and is known as the favorite fallafel place of Lenny Kravitz. They have a walk up window that seems to always have a line, as well as a sit down restaurant. Opened in 1979, it is located in the stylish Marais neighborhood, 4th arrondissement, not far from the Musee Picasso. This place is covered by the usual tour books.
Le Cinq Restaurant Review, Paris, France
Posted on October 9, 2009Le Cinq is a famous two Michelin star restaurant in the Four Seasons George V Hotel in Paris, right near the Champs-Élysées. The restaurant had earned 3 Michelin stars in the past. Eric Briffard, formerly of Paris’ Les Elysées has been head chef since 2008. He is known for dishes with a precision of flavors. They serve classic French Haute cuisine using classic French culinary techniques. Le Cinq embraces newer, lighter cooking styles, and always incorporates the freshest regional ingredients. Le Cinq serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and has been open since 1999. A la Carte as well as two prix fixe menus (160, 230€) are available at dinner. We choose the cheaper Decouverte Gourmande Summer Menu de l’ete. (160€)
L’Ardoise Restaurant Review, Paris
Posted on October 9, 2009L’Ardoise is a charming French Bistro located on a quiet street in the 1st Arrondissement, a block from the Jardin des Tuileries, and not far from the Louvre. They have a very affordable 34€ three course meal as well as an a la carte menu. We ordered two of these meals, plus and extra entree. If you need an early dinner, this is one of the few that start dinner at 6:30pm. L’Ardoise is mentioned in many tour books.
L’Arpège Restaurant Review, Paris, France
Posted on October 8, 2009
L’Arpege is a famous three Michelin star restaurant in Paris run by star Chef Alain Passard. This famous spot opened in 1986. They serve classic French Haute cuisine focusing on seafood, poultry, and vegetables. Their three organic farms outside Paris grow their produce. Vegetables are bullet trained to the restaurant several TIMES a day, to maximize freshness. Alain became bored with meat and removed it from the menu several years ago, but later adjusted to include seafood and poultry. We came for lunch Menu L’Ete des Jardins (The Summer Garden) (120€) available July-September 2009, to lessen the damage to the pocket book. It looked like everyone else ordered it too. They had actually lowered its price by 15€!
La Poule au Pot Restaurant Review, Paris, France
Posted on October 8, 2009Since 1935, La Poule au Pot has specialized in chicken hot pot. They have an extremely good value 35€ three course fixed price menu. We ordered two of then plus an extra entree. This restaurant is located in the Les Halles area (Lots of shops and restaurants), and stays open very late.
Chez Georges Restaurant Review, Paris, France
Posted on October 8, 2009Chez Georges long standing French Bistro located in the 17th Arrondissement that is known for its Rib Roast, Leg of Lamb, Steak Frites, and desserts.
La Fontaine de Mars Restaurant Review, Paris
Posted on October 7, 2009La Fontaine de Mars is the known as the famous bistro in the 7th Arrondissement where President Obama went. There is a fountain right outside the restaurant that helped name this place. It is not far from the Eiffel Tower, making this a good place for a meal before/after a visit. They have serve South western French Cuisine including foie gras, duck, and cassoulet since 1908.
Restaurant Guy Savoy Restaurant Review, Paris, France
Posted on October 5, 2009Restaurant Guy Savoy (Pronounced G Savoy) is a three Michelin star restaurant in Paris named after the chef owner, who often greets visitors. The Arc de Triomphe is just a couple blocks from here. It was opened back in 1980 and earned 3 stars for the first time in 2002. Guy Savoy has a location in Caesar’s Las Vegas as well as less formal restaurants in Paris. His motto, “Cuisine is the art of instantaneously turning produce suffused with history into happiness.” We had eaten at Guy Savoy Las Vegas and were hesitant to eat here, but one step in the door, eased our fears.
Le Comptoir du Relais Saint Germain Restaurant Review, Paris, France
Posted on October 4, 2009Le Comptoir du Relais Saint Germain is a quaint Left Bank brasserie in the 6th that serves up classic French fare. It is connected to a 4 star hotel, The Relais Saint Germain and a couple blocks from the Jardin du Luxembourg. The owner, Yves Camdeborde, used to work at the famous Crillon restaurant. Lunch is bistro menu based, while dinner follows a more formal daily changing multi course prix fix menu. We had to wait about 20 minutes for a table during lunch. Dinner reservations must be made well in advance. This place is in many tourist guides like the Fodor’s and was on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations.
Pain de Sucre Review, Paris, France
Posted on October 4, 2009Pain de Sucre (Sugarloaf in English) is a Foodie must visit patisserie in Paris’s dynamic 3rd Arrondissement known as The Marais. This shop is located a couple blocks from the Museum Pompidou. We visited many food shops in Paris and this one still stands out. The owners used to work for 3 Michelin star chef Pierre Gagnaire, but left to open this store in 2004.
La Fourchette Restaurant Review, Avignon, France
Posted on October 1, 2009La Fourchette is a Provencal cuisine bistro located in Avignon about a block from the main street with the Palace du Papes. They specialize in Vaucluse caillettes, Les pieds et paquets, or a great Avignon daube. Their three course prix fix dinner costs a reasonable 30.50€.
Hiely Lucullus Restaurant Review, Avignon, France
Posted on October 1, 2009Hiely Lucullus is a popular restaurant in Avignon, France on the second floor above a clothing store on a main Avignon street. It reigned supreme for years as the top restaurant until Christian Etienne opened and got a Michelin Star. The haute cuisine served is predominantly French, Mediterranean, and Provencal. Grilled Alpine lamb is their specialty dish. They have some very good deals during lunch (19€). We can for dinner and were allowed to order a lunch deal as well two dinner Menu Carte (35€).
L’ Epice and Love Restaurant Review, Avignon, France
Posted on October 1, 2009L’ Epice and Love is a quirky but small restaurant in the heart of Avignon, France. Modestly priced, they serve simple food that is well prepared. Madame Marie is the chef and owner and speaks English. The place is rated #1 on Tripadvisor for Avignon probably because it only costs 16.80€ for a 3 course dinner.
Chateau Eza Restaurant Review, Eze Le Village, France
Posted on September 30, 2009Chateau Eza is tucked away in the thousand-year-old medieval mountain top village of Eze Le Village, overlooking the Mediterranean. We saw Eze Le Village in a Rick Steves’ TV show and knew we had to visit. It is located in a Hotel that used to be the winter getaway for the Swedish royal family.
La Pizza Nice Restaurant Review, Nice, France
Posted on September 29, 2009La Pizza Nice has served Italian cuisine including pasta, salads, and (You guessed it) pizza since 1956. Their menus do list English translations. They have 3 restaurants in Nice and one in Cannes. They have huge custom made ovens and use volcanic ash baking stones.
Decor, Vibe – Old traditional french decor with lots of dark wood decor and tables. Sidewalk seating was where most people sat. Lots of people watching as this street of shops is very busy.
Restaurant Acchiardo Restaurant Review, Nice, France
Posted on September 29, 2009Restaurant Acchiardo is a small family run restaurant serving reasonably priced simple traditional French Provencal nicoise cuisine. It is located in Old Town district which is a maze-like labyrinth of small streets. This restaurant is listed in several travel guides.
La Réserve de Nice Restaurant Review, Nice, France
Posted on September 28, 2009La Réserve de Nice is situated on huge rock overlooking the harbor entrance to Nice, France. It has beautiful panoramic views of the water. It earned one Michelin star in 2009. Their menu changes daily with best values in their prix fix menus. We order one of each prix fix menu plus a Bouillabaisse. They have an upstairs dining room that was closed.