We are thinking of going to Ciel de Paris but I'd like to be clearer about a couple of things before I make a reservation.
I have read that this is a dressy restaurant but also that some diners are in jeans. Does any one know if there is a dress code? I wouldn't want to walk in dressed in shorts and flip flops, but I wonder if a nice shirt/slacks combo would be acceptable? I hate to pack a jacket that I will use only for this occasion. (My wife has a similar concern about a dressy dress for only one occasion.)
How about the views? I am hesitant to spend 136 euros per person for a window seat when it looks like virtually any seat in the restaurant provides a great view (looking over the heads of the people seated at the windows). Any tips about good or bad places to sit if I'm not going to be right at the window?
Posted by
northern CA
2766 posts
I managed to get a same-day reservation but didn't expect to score a window seat, and was indeed seated in the interior -- the views are better from a window table but are they worth the difference? Up to you to decide.
Regarding dress, I think the acceptable range of smart or snazzy or demure is pretty wide, but if you show up in travel clothes -- like zippable-off pants or artificial fabrics, you may well get a whiff of Parisian reserve. As RS often mentions, a scarf or necktie goes a long way.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
784 posts
We had a window seat, but I don't recall that we paid 136€ pp. I think we had the lower priced menu - seems like it was around 80€ pp. The view was great, but we did have the sun in our eyes much of the time - we were there in May, in fact 2 years ago today to celebrate a birthday. Being right at the window, I could set my camera on the sill to take pictures and got some good sunset shots, including the Eiffel Tower. I thought the food was very good.
We (2 women) were dressed in slacks and nice tops. Nothing formal or fancy, but we felt dressed up for the occasion. I don't think you would need to wear a jacket. We saw many people dressed more casually than us. Your wife would do fine in a pair of nice slacks and a nice top.
Posted by
Savannah, GA
1382 posts
The truth of the matter is that Paris and France are becoming more relaxed in formal wear. It's sad, really. Now you see men out on the street in fashion sweat pants. I never thought I'd see the day!
At Ciel de Paris I imagine you see a lot more casually dressed people. When I went to Le Train Bleu at Christmas I felt overdressed (but to be fair, it is a train station). Restaurants like le Jules Verne and La Tour d'Argent still demand that people dress up a little---for how long, who knows?