I’ve had excellent and very bad meals in Paris. With over 2,000 restaurants, its easy to pick a mediocre restaurant which is not the reason why you chose to stay in this city. My first Parisian bistro meal was a piece of over-microwaved chicken that literally flew off the plate when I connected it with a fork.
Here’s the myweekin.net guide to some of the best. We’ve tried to list those unusual and memorable meals that will stay with you; be it a good Asian, an Oyster Bar, Moroccain or, of course, my favourite, a fine Paris bistro. Comments are short so you can pop into your Agenda.
Below you will find restaurans from the 1st -3rd arrondissement.
EAT
Le Noailles
— Situated in the Saint-James & Albany Hotel. Its your old school style dining, large plush chairs, waiters on standby for your every need. In warmer months request dining on the terrace. You can reserve online via the link below. Friday nights in summer there are a number of jazz nights.
www.saintjamesalbany.com
6 rue de Rivoli, 75001 t: 01 44 58 43 40
Quai Quai
— Very much the 'restaurant of the moment' at the beginning of 2008. A bustling, busy bistro serving italian inspired bistro meals. M: Pont Neuf
no site yet
74 quai des Orfeveres, 75001 T : 01 46 33 69 75
Zest
— Located in the Marais district, its colourful and fun with their big communal table. Reasonably priced salads from 12 euros and 3 courses for either 18 or 23 euros. Influence is on Asian flavours. Nice place for lunch rather than dinner.
Off the Boulevard du Temple. M: Saint Sebastien-Froissart or Filles du Calvaire.
www.zest-paris.com
13 rue Commines, t: 01 40 27 90 14
Aux Crus de Bourgogne
— Great selection of good wine by the glass and some fine traditional french fare. Very popular with the locals and the surrounding rue Montmartre and Montorgueil are great streets to stroll after dinner. You should expect traditional French fare with excellent creme brulee for around 27 euros pp 2 courses.
M: Etienne Marcel
3 rue Bachaumont 75002 (2nd) t: 01 42 33 48 24
Il Cortile
— When it just has to be a good italian meal! Lots of fresh pasta, risotto with lobster and black truffles and a good selection of italian wines. This is high italian cooking art.
Located in the Hotel Castille close by to the Place Vendome.
M: Concorde-Madeleine. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
www.castille.com
37 rue Cambon 75001, 1st t: 01 44 58 45 67
Resto In
— Ok so you're snug in your hotel room and they don't have room service and you're too tired to go out, and you just feel like a hamburger from Balthazar. How to get delivery in Paris? This site has a number of good restaurants listed and will deliver, you do have to join first for address details but a great idea for those in apartments!
2008.restoin.com
Phone 01 42 88 42 88
Pinxo
— These meals are made for sharing. Sample innovative cuisine based on tapas style dining. You can of course command individual plates but where’s the fun in that.
Open 7 days lunch and dinner. Closed month of August. Corner of rue de Rivoli and rue d'Alger, not far from Place Vendome.
www.pinxo.fr
9, rue d'Alger - 75001 t: 01 40 20 72 00
Point Bar
— Daughter of Michelin star chef, Jean Bardet, Alice, has created an upbeat charming restaurant between the Opera and the Palais Royal, Modern French cuisine with flair. Around 30 euros for two courses.
40, place du marché Saint-Honoré - 75001 t: 01.42.61.76.28