Romantic Bistro

Are there any new favorites???

Thanks for your advice folks.

It is one of my bookmarks. Thanks.

Thanks for the update. As you well know things do change in the restaurant world. I read that Colette(Toutounne) had retired, the original owner of Moissonier had sold out, and that François Clerc had closed one or two of his other bouchons. What an advantage it is to have a similar palate in a neighborhood to keep abreast of the happenings. If you aren't familiar with "Whitings Writings" http://www.whitings-writings.com/parbisindex.htm you might find them interesting.

Laidback - Thanks for the correction on Mon Vieuil Ami. As for Bouchons de François Clerc, La Lozere, Chez Toutoune, Moissoniere, Rotisserie de Beaujolais, La Marée Verte, and Le Reminet, I have been to Rotisserie de Beaujoliais and Le Reminet recently. The Rotisserie has not changed and is still a good place to go. Le Reminet can be very uneven.

Mon Vieil Ami is open Sundays, closed Monday and at lunch on Tues.(as of last Oct.)

I am definitely going to try Le Petit Pontoise this Spring. Our 1st lengthy stay was in the 5th at the Hotel Colbert back several years ago, and we enjoyed several restaurants in the area at that time which offered good value: Bouchons de François Clerc, La Lozere for the aligot, Chez Toutoune, Moissoniere, Rotisserie de Beaujolais, La Marée Verte, Le Petit Plat(now Le Reminet), and others that I can't recall and that may have changed hands or closed by now.

St. Germain, are some of these still serving good value?

If you looking at something for Sunday make sure it is open. I think Le Petit Pontoise, 9 rue de Pontoise, is open, but I thought Mon Vieil Ami, Ile Saint-Louis, is closed. If both are open and you are choosing between each, I think the atmosphere and decor at Mon Vieil Ami is better but the food is better at Le Petiti Pontoise.

Al, the Lebeys are ok, pretty handy.
But the Pudlo is large and heavy. I wouldn't pack that one!

But you know, I still managed to just take a carry-on for 8 nights!
The trick is, to wear the most heavy and bulky stuff for the journey.

Since my trips to Paris are usually only about 5 days at a time, all I carry is my list (and possibly a reservation or two) of only half a dozen restaurants or so. Most all my lunches are casual and depend on where I am at hungry time. For a new restaurant that might give me trouble locating I go to http://Mappy.com and make a small street map to bring along. I do this with new museums or other spots of interest that could give me trouble locating. Look at how many extra pair of shoes I can bring along Ursula.

Absolument! and each Spring I go to Bon Marché and buy the new one.

Laidback,

Sorry, I must have overlooked or forgotten about your reviews. But then, I don't learn BP posts by heart.

Just curious, do you bring your Pudlo along to Paris? I'd prefer another pair of shoes though...
In general, I only pack the small bistrots and the restaurants Lebey Guides.

You can read the review of my two visits to Mon Vieil Ami, by going to the heading "Paris Restaurants", scrolling down to "Belatedly Laidback", pg. 2, and scrolling down about 6 entries. I'm not sure it is worth your effort, but I must point out that Le Pudlo Paris, one of the better restaurant guides selected it as it's best new bistro of the year. I found no basis for diasagreement, but I always respect the opinions of St. Germain. My motto has become "à chacun son gout".

Colleen,

I believe, Le Petit Pontoise is among st.germain's top favourites, also because of its convenient location close to where he usually stays.

You should find his review and the one about Mon Vieil Ami in his October 2004 trip report. Make sure, you search in both pages of the thread. The places are a bit difficult to find as the restaurant names aren't written in bold letters.

http://bonjourparis.ipbhost.com/index.php?...topic=1378&st=0

I am sure, st.germain will pop in here personally.

Oh, and you will love Les Ambassadeurs. I've been lucky to dine there last November. Loved every bit of it.

I don't think you could go wrong with either place, but mon Vieil Ami would be my choice.

We will be celebrating our 25th Wedding Anniversary early April, staying at the Hotel Britannique. We are booked for dinner at Les Ambassadeurs on the Saturday night.

We are hoping for advice for dinner on the following night, Sunday. We are looking for a cosy and romantic bistro, which out of these two would you choose, if any.

Le Petit Pontoise, 9 rue de Pontoise

Mon Vielil Ami, Ile Saint-Louis

Have read recent reviews from BP'ers on these two restaurants and the food sounds wonderful, just need to get a feel for the atmosphere and decor.

Thanks.