We are renting two small apartments in the 7eme for a week. There are 3 adults (Us + Brother) and my older kids ages 20, 18, 12. We're on a tight budget, but want the kids to experience dinners out most nights, so we're trying to budget enough for this (We'll eat breakfast in and try picnicing for lunch some days to save $). My husband/I have been once before and dinners were such a memorable part of the trip (La Varangue-Steve Smith was there!). We used RS book and never made a reservation. I'm assuming I can't do this with 6 people? I'd like to eat most dinners in the 7th, more specifically within walking distance of "home"- We're on rue Amelie, and l'Universite near there (so, close to rue Cler). I want to be able to get back to bed easily (I can take my youngest home early if need be) after those wonderful late meals. I have the Paris 2008 RS book, and I've eaten at a few of them but don't know much more.
So, any suggestions on places, how/when to make reservations (do I need to call before we leave the US?), are there places to avoid with a large group (still don't quite get the difference between restaurants, cafes, etc.)? Are there places we can just "show up"? Anything else I should know eating with kids (they're adventurous eaters and I'm prepping them so they'll be able to order on their own hopefully)? Thanks all!