After my recent trip to Paris (my 4th), here are some of my impressions of the great and the not-great: Let's start with the very few not greats: Bateaux Parisiens boat tour -glass sided boat but with a covered top so we couldn't see the sights being described, a very small crowded outdoor area, and loud music which covered up the insipid voice-over descriptions. Au Petit Bistrot on Rue Mouffetard - I knew we were in trouble when my dinner included canned (!) green beans. Now for the food greats: bottles of refreshing Schweppes Lemon in the Metro drink machines, wonderful food on Rue Mouffetard at Restaurant le Jardin D'Ivy, La Fontaine de la Mouffe (try the fondue), Cave La Bourgogne (a RS recommendation), and sinfully delicious gelato at Gelati d'Alberto. Don't miss the almost-too-pretty-to-eat prepared food at Fauchon in Plc de Madeleine. And DO have lunch at Altitude 95 on the Eiffel Tower - great food, great service, great view.
Posted by
San Clemente, Ca.
408 posts
Holly,
Thanks for the great post on Paris. I will be going there next year so it was very helpful to hear about some good restaurants to try.
Posted by
Memphis
32 posts
I wanted to add one great food find: it's a boulangerie/patisserie shop just south of Mabillion metro: Gerard Mulot. AND it has a website: www.gerard-mulot.com. We've even purchased a light dinner (quiche, torte,etc) there to bring home.
Posted by
Anaheim, CA, USA
1455 posts
Holly, did you get the prefixed menu at Altitude 95? I wasn't overly impressed with my beef.. it reminded me of pot roast. The view, however, was worth the price, and the service was excellent!!
If I may add my 2 plus:
The Catacombs! Worth the wait, and its not as spooky as I thought. Get there early as the wait time is 1/2 hour if the line wraps around the corner.
The Rest stops heading to Normandy... Ultra clean and plenty of them.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Altitude 95: Michelle, your opinion of the food at Altitude 95 is shared by the reviewers of the prestigious Michelin Red Guide to Paris restaurants, who don't even list Altitude 95 in their book--not even being listed in the book is, well, not good. They at least list the way more expensive Jules Verne but don't give it a star, although they do mention that Jules Verne is perhaps worth a visit (at a minimum of €155/person for the fixed menu!) now that Alain Ducasse is heading the new management team since 2007.I know, I know: the Michelin folks are not gods, just one opinion--but I mention it because their opinion is generally regarded by French food experts and chefs as an opinion that matters and have been rating French restaurants for the last hundred years.
Posted by
OP
Durham, NC, USA
335 posts
No, Altitude 95 is not a Michelin or Zagat-recommended restaurant, but neither are MANY excellent restaurants in Paris. I have to save to go to Paris and can't afford 155 euros for a meal. Even the 35-40 euro lunch at Altitude 95 was a stretch for me. But the great food and the view and the chance to have such a meal on the iconic Tower was worth it. I'd recommend it to anyone (and do!).