Marc - thank you. Has anyone been to La Cantine du Troquet in the 14th? I hear it's good and VERY inexpensive. It's a real bistro and Chef Etchebest has a cooking show on M6 each Saturday.

I'm reminded of a very nice place, somewhere between a café and a bistrot, right in the middle of town, and a very useful address if you need lunch after/before the Louvre or the Palais Royal or before a matinée at the Comédie française (you get the general geographic location):

Café Epoque
2 rue Bouloi
Paris 1
01.42.33.40.70

It's attached to one end of the Galérie Vero-Dodat, where rue Bouloi runs into the rue Croix des Petits Champs, three-four minutes from the Louvre. A substantial menu for a small place, all cooked very well. A lovely terrace, if the weather's good (of course, everyone wants to sit there), but an atmospheric old-fashioned interior, too, which I think I prefer. There have been crews filming in it more than once that I've been there. If possible, avoid the very height of the lunch hour. Interesting shops in the Galérie, too, for after lunch.

Ursula, you hit it right on the nose! in the "central" area, if a bistro was successfull, it is taken over by a chain, and turned into an eatery with all the modern trapings, etc. It just looses its charm and ambiance that can only be supplied the the ever present "patron". Yes, in the outlaying districts you still find quite a few, however they sort of "disapear as soon as the district get "discovered", then modrnized, etc. So enjoy them, as long as you can!

BP Chuck

They are still around, those wonderful small, charming bistrots, Chuck, but you need to leave the most popular arrondissements, where everything seems to be turned into modern lounges and chains taking over (Costes, Flo, etc.).

We have wonderfull Bistros, Cafes, Restaurants, Brasseries, Rotisseries in Paris, however (here I am again with a however), as the years go on, the difference between is slowly diminishing. There used to be a clear cut difference between them years ago. Today sometimes you barely can tell if you are in one or the other. I sort of miss these distinctions. Any oppinions?

BP Chuck

While Balzar has been reported often on BP it seems that despite differences of opinion the poulet and frites has gotten super universal acceptance.

For those looking for restaurants the search facilities here on BP have a mint of selections.

I love Brasserie Balzar -- I know, it's a brasserie, not a bistro -- and Perraudin.... totally different experiences, but both have good food. Perraudin is quite inexpensive and lovely service. Balzar is a great experience... we love watching the guests. Great poulet roti and frites, and love the waiters!

Best,
Sandy in Illinois

Lisa - Meet me in the Paris Hotels 2004 forum and we can talk about the Atlantide Republique Hotel...

There are lots of great restaurants in the 11th. This is not a very touristy area (yet) and until a few years ago was still inexpensive. Now the rents are going through the roof and it is quite trendy with lots of shops, restaurants, etc.

I've been to (and have reported somewhere about)

Le Villaret--which had excellent classical french food. It was Delicious.
13 rue Ternaux


Les Amognes--also very good, and certainly worth a try if you are in the area.
243 Rue du Fbg St Antoine.

Astier--great value and very good simple cooking. I think the 4 course menu is 25 and that includes a cheese tray with about 30 different cheeses.
44 rue Jean Pierre Timbaud

Au C' Amelot
Adorable tiny restaurant with delicious food. Even worth the trip to another quartier. However, there is only a menu and I believe there was no choice, so you can't be picky.
50 rue Amelot

Repaire de Cartouche--this is one I would love to try. Gets exceptional reviews.
99 rue Amelot
01-47-00-25-86

Jim--

That explains it; I knew the 11th had to exist somewhere. Newcomers, let alone oldcomers like me, could be very confused by the way the Michelin combines districts. Thanks for the heads up.

Jim:

I've yet to invest in the 2004 guide. However, I'll bet there are many additions since the one you have.

Some of the most exciting restaurants in that (emerging) area are newcomers. However, I'm no Phyllis !!

When are you coming to Paris? We need your write-ups!

K

Hi Jean,

I am not Karen or Phyllis, but the Michelin Red Guide lists many hotels and restaurants that are in the 11th. Michelin tends to group hotels and restaurants together by neighborhood rather than strict arrondissement boundaries. The 11th is included in the heading: Bastille, République and Hotel de Ville(3rd, 4th et 11th). In the 2002 edition this begins on pg.60 of the Paris section(pg.1128 of the entire bible)

Jean: Many smaller restaurants aren't listed in the Michelin Guide -- most especially in Paris. The very few inspectors can't eat EVERYWHERE.
In addition, the restaurant recently changed owners -- so who knows!

The Michelin ratings have always been a mystery to me!


Phyllis eats out more than I do. I suspect she'll know about restaurants in the 11eme.

So many are opening that it's hard to keep up!

I can't help you with the 11th, but over in the 13th is the wonderful Au (got that, Al?) Petit Marguery, a favorite of some of the BP regulars. It's a bit strange about the 11th: the red Michelin guide lists neither hotels nor restaurants for that arrondissement. Any ideas why, Karen and Phyllis?

I will be in Paris this June for the first time. I have so many questions...I don't really know where to start...!

First...any suggestions for restaurants in the 11th district?

Also...has anyone stayed at the Atlantide Republic Hotel 11th district between the Bastille and Place de la Republique?

Lisa

A reader of the San Francisco Chronicle recommends Le Bistrot Irlandais, described as having a homey atmosphere, traditional French dishes, and welcoming staff. Dinners average aboaut 23€ for two. Sounds like it's worth trying, and you can even have kangaroo if you want.

The restaurant is in the 13th at 15, rue de la Santé.

I don't know if this falls under a "bistro" but a place I love to eat breakfast at is

Chez Paul- it has fresh squeezed orange juice, a croissant(a big and flaky like I like them) and a petit flute -with accompanied jelly and real butter and not to forget your hot chocolate only for 5-6 euros! and the ambiance is great esepcially the one in the 16ieme.


L'Ecureuil Violet

Oh Karen,
You know that Le Cameleon is among my favs.
But this time, I have to forget about it.
Running out of time...
But then, I discovered other charming places, that will definitely become part of my 'go-back' list.
More, when I am back home again.

Even though I know it may not be the best bistro in Paris, I always head to Le Cameleon in the 6eme on Rue du Chevreuse.

Tell Yves you're a BP reader (that will earn you a free kir) and be sure to order the puree -- the best mashed potatoes in Paris.

Do reserve a day or two before!

I recently went with a friend to a bistro in the 11th called Le Villaret, which had gotten good reviews. It was just a simple neighborhood place and so I was really surprised by the food which was delicious and a few steps above your average bistro It was one of the better meals that I've had in Paris actually.

Definitely worth a try.

13, rue Ternaux
75011
01-43-57-89-76
M: Parmentier
Closed Sunday

In Paris, La Régalade
In Paradou, Bistro du Paradou
in Trouville Les Vapeurs.

As usual, we're looking for your input as to the bistros where you've eaten and how they are. New ones have opened. Old ones have changed chefs.

We need BP readers to tell us where they have been eating! Merci.