Fabulous French Restaurant in Paris...

Hi Susan and Monte, I've been considering the same question and have a couple down that we will definitely try in the fall. I would encourage you to read reviews from multiple sources to try and get a feel for a place. Was there a particular arrondissement that you would prefer?

Le Pantruche, in the 9th:
http://lepantruche.com

Je The…Me, in the 15th
http://jetheme-terroir.blogspot.com

We will be staying in the 5th, but I don't know that we will necessarily be around there at dinner time. I assume we will just stop when we are hungry, and that could be hit or miss. So, we want to make sure that we actually get one great meal that we can plan for.

Thanks for the help!

I was at Boucherie Rouliere a few days ago. It's in the 6th at 24 rue des Canettes. Definitely the best meal I have ever eaten. Meal for two inluding appetizer (snails), 2 glasses of wine each, and a spectacular dessert cost 105 euros. It's authentic French. A good sign was that most of the patrons were locals. Another good sign was that the Australian couple next to us chose this place due to recommendations from Melbourne friends. Their specialty is beef, and the veal dish I had was outstanding.

If your looking for decor, skip this place. It's very plain inside, the tables are tight together. Don't expect privacy here. There was only one waitress, but she covered the entire place with outstanding service and a big smile. They offer English version menus which was super helpful. We walked into Boucherie Rouliere at 7:00 pm and left at 10:00 pm. It was empty when we arrived, but packed by 8:00 pm. I recommend getting reservations although we got in without them, probably since we were there early per French dinner time. Check out their reviews in Tripadvisor. I'm definitely going back again before leaving Paris.

The only negative was that they charged me 6 euros for water.

A reliable resource for finding good restaurants is the Michelin guide. Its recommendations can be sorted by price and location. Michelin

Sixty dollars is about 45 euros, which will be sufficient to get a good 2 or 3-course meal in many French restaurants (usually not including drinks). That's sort of the average for a moderately priced place, though, not for an elegant, 3-star Michelin place. There you could easily spent much more. One good resource in Paris is a reservation service called The Fork (La Fourchette for the French version). You fill in the form to specify the neighborhood, date, time, etc., and the search engine will give you a list of the available restaurants. I use the service often, and it is very reliable. Sometimes the restaurants offer discounts. It isn't comprehensive, of course. A lot of places aren't on their list, but it will give you an idea of what is available.
http://www.thefork.com/city/paris/415144

This is a low budget for a great meal in Paris. If I were you I would find a great restaurant that has lunch menus similar to the dinner menu but at about 50-60% of the price. Have an elegant 3 course plus lunch . The value is much higher this way. An example. Le Cottage Marcadet near the Lamarck CAulaincourt metro has a really beautifully presented lunch for 35 Euro; dinner runs close to 100 for their dinner menu.

Because menus are always posted you can also look around for menus that appeal.

A good bistrot with classic dishes like beouf Bourguignon for about your budget is Chez Dumonet Josephine. Another place we have eaten which has an a la carte menu is Le Cordonnerie near the Tuilleries. All of these need to be reserved ahead.

Susan and Monte, in my view, your proposed budget of approx 36-44 euro, sans vin, is fine, and there are lots of great places to eat a memorable meal. Don't forget, it's not just the food, but the staff, the location, the decor, etc that will make a meal great-read reviews. Here's three excellent spots from our trip last year:
A la Biche au Bois, 28 euro menu
La Regalade Saint Honore. 34 euro menu
Le Timbre, about 38 euro menu (this place is awesome!)

Great information! Thank you so much for the help.

Thanks for asking this question. I'm taking notes!

Two of our favorites...both in the 10th a few blocks from each other

http://www.brasserieflo-paris.com/en/ Great seafood

http://www.julienparis.com/en/ All 4 meals were wonderful
This is on the French Historic Register...They can't even change a lightbulb!

I've done well finding restaurants here:
http://www.davidlebovitz.com/paris/

Bon appetit!!

We have dined several times at Le Pre Verre located near the Cluny. The fixed price menu was around 45 euros without wine. A reservation is necessary. Never have been disappointed with our dinners.

We liked Restaurant Polidor near Luxembourg Garden (right around the corner from Hotel St Pierre and across the street from a handy laundromat) at 41 rue Monsieur-Le Prince. In the RS Paris book for "unpretentious quality cooking". We went in October just as it opened for dinner and were able to get a table. (The second time we took advantage of the laundromat.)

Try 'Au Petit Suisse' in the 6th. They even take online reservations.

We've had some great meals in Paris…local places, not fancy. And really just relished eating in a the european fashion, slow, relaxed, good food. As your hotel concierge where he or she might meet friends for dinner. It's fabulous to be dining in Paris. And I wish I were there right now.

Some of the apartments I have rented have notebooks detailing local restaurants, stores, etc. Maybe your apartment will have this type of information.