Paris on a Saturday night in late September

We were in Paris June 16--June 20, staying near Notre Dame. We ate three nights out of four at Cafe Montebello. They had a set menu of three courses for 26 euros plus wine. The waiters were friendly, the menu had an English translation, and, best of all, the place is directly across from the side of Notre Dame. You could eat inside, in a garden in back, or at the tables on the street (those were the ones with the view of N.D.) Years ago we were treated to dinner at Tour D'Argent and the view there was just about the same as the one at Cafe Montebello, but the check was about seven times as much.

You'll have no trouble finding cafes in that price range. Let me urge you to think just a bit more about what you mean by a "French" cafe. Burgundian (snails, coq au vin), Alsatian (charcroute), Southwestern (cassoulet)? The great thing about Paris is that there is such a wide variety of cuisines.

Also, get the heck away from the Rue Cler. It's overrun with RS readers (not that that's a bad thing, but you want to experience Paris, not Mercer Island) and consider a neighborhood that appeals to you for atmosphere.

http://troi.cc.rochester.edu/~tdip/tomsguidetoparis.htm

Hi Dave,
... above is Tom's Guide to Paris (Tom lives there). Using your mouse, copy the above link and then paste it into your Internet search box. Then, touch ENTER key on your computer keyboard. On the guide's home page, click on the EATING icon. On the "eating" page, find the restaurant called Aux Artistes, which Tom describes as his 'favorite in all the world'. If you have questions, email Tom (click on "Contact Me") in the guide.... and bon appétit! ... P

Thanks! That looks like good info.