Eating Our Way Through Paris

I am giving you as much information as I have. I found that in Paris I could not get a to-go menu in English and for the most part the menus were in French. I also could never figure out the time the restaurants open and close as you will see in the article. I can tell you where we went and what I liked. I will give you their phone number in France which obviously would only be used if you are there! The tip is included in all restaurants but it is common to leave a small amount on the table.

My bottom line is that if there is a pub with no one in it then leave and go next door where there may be one that is mobbed.

La Pierre du Marais is located at 51 rue de Bretagne. The phone number is 142772502. They are open 22 hours. This was a very cute pub with a very quiet bar and an upstairs. It was spotlessly clean with gleaming wood tables and wicker chairs.

We were given a basket of bread which is the norm (no butter) in Paris. I had a delicious cheese omelet. What made it delicious? It was flat rather than a puffed up omelet that you might get in the states with fake ingredients inside. I asked for crispy fries and go a large amount of perfectly cooked fries. There also seemed to be no Diet Coke but instead they have Coke Light or Coke Zero. I didn't get ketchup and I found that to be true across the board as well. I could have substituted a salad for the fries. My husband got a beer and Penne Foie Gras which was a pasta dish with goose liver and melted cheese. I tasted the pasta which was soft and the sauce was tasty. La Pierre du Marais was out of fish. We paid $30.80E.

Esmeralda Brasserie is located at 2 Rue du Cloitre, Notre-Dame. There is a terrace which is open in the summer and has views of the back of Notre. The phone number is 0143541772. They are open Monday through Sunday 08:00 - 20:00. This restaurant was very small with tables abutting one another so we were very close to another couple who spoke English. Our waiter was nice and spoke English.

For starters the tea was super. I wrote down what they were so I can try to find them online - Metris and The A L'opera. I ordered a vegetarian crepe which was gigantic and full of cheese, tomato and mushrooms. There were slices of tomatoes on the side. We had a nice basket of bread (no butter). My husband had a "prix fixe" meal with a starter/entrée rather than entrée/starter. This is also very common in Paris. You get a choice of two out of three courses for a fixed price. He got 6 escargot which I don't eat but I tasted the sauce and it was really delicious. This was the kind of sauce that every piece of bread in the basket was used to sop it up. . Then he had the salmon with noodles. The salmon was cooked very well and tasted fresh. The noodles were a bit different - kind of curly with a nice sauce over them.

We went to Bistro du Monde at 85 Avenue Bosquet. The phone number is +33145515297. The owner was quite abrupt with us and of course I immediately thought it was because we were American. The restaurant was comfortable, clean, and we had quick service which was exactly what we were looking for. We got sub-like sandwiches. My cheese sandwich had no tomato, nothing- just cheese. My husband's chicken sandwich had some fixings. The cost was only $16.30E but I wouldn't go out of my way to go to Bistro du Monde.

We went to Ascot Bar located 66 Rue Pierre Charron. The phone number is +33 1 43 59 28 15. (note: I have the name of this restaurant in a picture as Ascot; however, everywhere I looked online it was spelled Ascott) We chose it because it was hopping. I have never sat at a table that was so close to the person behind me. Luckily we were at a table for four so I moved over. Our waiter not unlike others was not very nice. What can I say? Forget getting butter with bread or ketchup with fries or anyone coming over to see if we need anything. I was lucky I got a fork when mine fell. It was a cute, clean place with an upstairs. There was a downstairs as well.

I tripped on a step as we walked in and was totally ignored. The waiter tried to give me bottled water and he did understand me. Having said all this the food was very good. I did in this case ask for butter and we were given two pats of butter (unlike the dish in the states which may be a reason the French are thin). My husband enjoyed his sliced duck in a sauce which he said was excellent and a beer. There was no bar at which to sit but a full-service alcohol menu. I got salmon in a nice, not too thick cream sauce with fries cooked well. My husband's meal was a prix fixe so he got the most creamy vanilla ice cream I've tasted. Amazingly we were given two spoons. A children's menu is offered. The price was $28E.

Restaurant La Flotille du Versailles is located at Versailles. Inside you'll find a beautiful and fancy restaurant. The phone number is +33 01.39.51.41.58. You may want to eat inside but it is quite expensive. If you have time eat outside. You'll be right along the canal that was built long ago. Our waiter was very nice. The tables were all covered with umbrellas in case it is sunny. We both had cappuccinos and shared one of the most delicious Belgium waffles with whipped cream.

We ate at the funkiest and friendliest place called Café Le Temple. Marilyn Monroe was the theme but not the only theme. Boas hung from lingerie; loud American music played; the booths were made of leopard cloth. I got Cannolli with cheese which was super. It isn't like ours I think because the cheese is so good. We got bread as always (no butter) and my husband got smoked salmon on bread with cream cheese and green beans, a pear, and avocado with little shrimp. One of the older waitresses had on black leather pants and a handcuff belt. The restaurant is located right at the Temple metro stop. The price was $38.80E.