We were in Paris for two nights and enjoyed ourselves, staying in St. Germain for the first time. We normally always stay in the 7th, sometimes the 8th and once the 16. Thanks to Mardee for the recommendation of the Left Bank St. Germain. It was slim pickings at the time of our booking to find accommodations for a triple room and a single. The triple was the bigger problem. We didn’t let the rain slow us down. We are on our way back to Paris today, and will stay until Friday. Same hotel. The only downside is the renovations going on that we didn’t know when we booked. But the triple is working out nicely. So, to my question! My son has decided for his birthday dinner he would like to have either GOOD Italian, or steak. It would be easier to make the reservation somewhere in St. Germain, but open to anything really. I received some good recommendations before but that was before he narrowed down what he wanted. Ambiance, view and good food are what I am looking for. @Pam, the Relais Bosquet had two rooms that fit our needs open up last night for only 10 Euro more than where we are going. I was so tempted to book the one night there, but we decided staying in place the entire 4 nights was going to be easier, even if we have to change rooms after tonight! @Kim, I took your advice and bought a coat on our arrival to Paris.I completely misjudged how cold it can feel, especially with the rain. It fit the bill, and definitely will have to pack it up once we arrive home to 80 degree weather. Thanks to everyone who have shared invaluable info to us, and for the good wishes for my sons getting out of the war zone. Now to figure out what is next!
Posted by
1561 posts
Paris is not known for good steak, but I had an excellent filet at Le P'tit Troquet. It is small and reservations are a must. So glad you are with your son. Happy Birthday to him!
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
11683 posts
JR Although we’re former Parisians, we were surprised how cold it felt when we got to Paris Friday afternoon, too. We had our light-weight Uniglo doudounes but had to wear sweaters underneath. 10C plus wind in Paris isn’t like 10C plus sun where we live.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
682 posts
Paris is not known for good steak, but I had an excellent filet at Le P'tit Troquet.
Lindy,
Le P'tit Troquet is our go-to place when we visit Paris. In fact, we have reservations there in April.
The last time we were there, the wonderful proprietress recognized us despite the fact we hadn't been there in two years.
Can't wait to see what's on the menu this time!
-- Mike Beebe
Posted by
Brooklyn, NY
4933 posts
Thanks for the restaurant recommendation. We just booked the Hilton Paris Opera for next February for 7 nights.
As I have written before, my husband is a retired Hilton employee and we get a great discount if we are fast enough to find them. I saw the discount for this hotel for February and grabbed it. We’ve been trying since 2023, our last trip, to see an offer for this Hilton. We passed by it a few times and it just looked so beautiful.
We also got a room in Strasbourg so I will be following along.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
16841 posts
I'm so happy you are having a good, if chilly, time! Yes, I am sure the chill was a shock to your bones but glad you are prepared for next time. That's funny that rooms opened at Relais Bosquet at decent prices! I would probably have done the same as you and stayed in the same hotel for all the nights. I just am not one to move hotels for one night even if I have to move rooms. Much easier to just park your bags at the front desk and out you go!
Happy Birthday to your son!
Posted by
Chicago
9559 posts
The US just has much better steak -- French food is wonderful -- but their steaks not so much. A good Italian place where some locals took us a couple years ago near the Eiffel Tower is Sorrentino. https://il-sorrentino.vercel.app/#/. bonus is a nice walk after dinner with the sparkling ET in view. they do the pasta in the large wheel of parmesan prep thing at the table which is festive for a birthday. We didn't do that but saw others and it looked good actually.
Posted by
Chicagoland
2067 posts
What is the Birthday Boy's idea of "steak".? Meat cuts in France are different than in the US.
Ambiance, view and good food are what I am looking for.
Not easy to find all 3 in one restaurant. Meanwhile here are a few options that offer more than just a token beef dish plus other options for any non steak eaters.
Robert et Louise in the Marais.
Les Antiquaires about a 15 minute walk from your hotel
Josephine Chez Dumonet about 25 minute walk.
La Rotonde especially for the ambiance, 25 minutes.
Posted by
Macon, GA Historic Central Georgia
1541 posts
I totally disagree with their saying Paris doesn't have good steak. That's an old stereotype that keeps repeating that dates from 20-30 years ago
I've had some of the best steaks of my life in Paris. One place being the strangest place in the Marais called the Black Dog. The front of it is a metal bar, the sous-sol has a nightclub and the restaurant is in the back. Absolutely perfectly cooked steaks, nice sauces, and they do empanadas for the appetizers.
Posted by
Duluth, MN🌲
11496 posts
JR, i’m glad you enjoyed the St. Germain area. I really do like that area, and would not hesitate to stay there again. And your trip sounds wonderful! Thanks for posting!
Posted by
USA
426 posts
So glad you're having a good trip! I like that neighborhood, too, and will be staying there again in May.
I avoid beef outside of Nebraska after a very abysmal meal in Florida that was supposed to be great. If they thought that beef was great, I can't imagine was mediocre would be. I really like the fish in Paris, though.
Posted by
Tennessee
67 posts
It's not Italian and not sure if they have steaks. But the seafood is utterly amazing. Restaurant le Vent d'Armor near Latin Quarter.
Posted by
Los Angeles
5484 posts
Speaking of Hilton, I tend towards them because I have elevated status through Amex. The one in Vienna on the Schottenring is a great place to stay, and the one at Munich airport is practically on the runway.
However, Les Frenchies were not impressed by the Paris Opera location, just FWIW
Posted by
502 posts
I have to agree with jeanm, the steaks we had at Robert et Louise in the Marais were excellent. The green beans (haricots verts) were even better, the best I have ever had. No view though.
I've also had excellent steak at lunch at Jules Verne, and there is certainly a view there.
Bear in mind I am Australian so my tastes are probably different.
I agree that there isn't a huge amount of great French steaks but there are certainly some.
We had amazing Italian for lunch a couple of years ago at Le George in the Four Seasons. It was my husband's birthday so we pushed the boat out. From memory it had a Michelin star so the prices weren't too bad considering that.