One really nice dinner while in Paris.

Our hotel recommended Le Coude Fou, with a warning that it was really French. http://www.pariszoomtv.com/#&&/wEXAwUCMzEFBnBob3RvcwUBMAUNZXRhYmxpc3NlbWVudAUCMzAFAzI3NKHAU+WzoCQoFZU5LJ6rl9Ik8vJj We enjoyed it very much.

I dined alone at Brasserie Bofinger and am planning to do so again. I made a reservation in the early afternoon. I was worried how a single woman dining alone would be treated. My qualms/fears were unfounded. My waiters fell over themselves attending to me. I was given a French menu and was prepared to order in my horrible French - and did so. A loud group of British businessmen came in and were seated not too far from me. They immediately handed the French menus back and demanded English menus. My waiters then offered me an English menu and I refused. My waiters exchanged a look I think that was the equivalent gesture of a "high five" because I refused the English menu and tried to speak French. The British group perhaps was so obnoxious that I received special treatment - the "please" and "thank you" magic words were lacking with the group. I love escargot and they were prepared fantastically. I asked for help in selecting a demi bottle of wine to go with my filet mignon - wonderful suggestions were received. The haricots verts were out of this world delicious and I received another helping once they saw I had eaten every last green bean. What a delightful gesture! The seafood pyramids looked divine. My food was prepared wonderfully. I dined for a very long time - and had the best chocolate orange mousse ever with coffee for dessert. Topped it off with a snifter of Gran Marnier and was presented wonderful cookies to accompany my drink. This was my "step out my comfort zone" mission; the food and service made my journey unforgettable. I highly recommend Brasserie Bofinger.

Diane,
I will be in Paris in September - will definitley check out that restaurant. I just finished a supper of left-overs- your description of the dinner is wonderful. Where is that restaurant?

5-7, rue de la Bastille is the address for Brasserie Bofinger, near Place de Bastille in 4e. @Diane thanks for the heads-up; sounds marvelous.

It's hard to answer your question without a price range or a personal preference about cuisine and level of luxury. But since you mentioned Pompidou, please consider the charming regional restaurant (considered touristy by some, but really not large and not crowded in my experience, and plenty of French speakers every time I've been there) L'Ambassade de L'Auvergne, 22, rue du Grenier Saint-Lazare 75003 Paris +33 (0)1 42 72 31 22 . It is easy to find once you've been there, but hard to find the first time. They have been charming to us (once every three years?), and the set menus are a real bargain for those without a luxury wallet.

Vivant. Fun, intimate, excellent food. Closed Saturdays and Sundays. Also Les Fines Gueules. Tres Bon!

We did not have a great dining experience at Bofinger. Yes it was a beautiful place but the food was just okay and service was rushed-very noisy restaurant. A few that we enjoyed and would recommend: Les Bouquinistes; Le Timbre; Cafe Constant; Bastide Odeon; Bouillon Racine.

Go to Au petite Marguery, they have a website. It's a great place, very reasonable, and has a website. It's easy to get to on the metro. You will be the only tourist in there and the selections are so delectable. There is no view but it is so incredible. A block south of Pompidou is no problem. Check the metro and it's easy to zip across the Seine and walk to the restaurant. We had reservations for 1900 and glad we did. It was filled with locals.