Les Restaurants

Thank goodness we walk everywhere in Paris. At least 5 miles per day, to and from restaurants, so we don't put on weight, which is easy to do here.

We try and find great restaurants for dinner, from past experiences, magazine reviews, recommendations from friends and sometimes, just stumbling across something wonderful.

There is a secret address in St. Germain at 13 Rue Beaux Arts in the 6th arrondissement.

It is called L'Hotel, a tiny boutique hotel where Oscar Wilde lived until his death.

It is tres chic, and very hip, almost too hip for us.

Inside is a one star Michelin restaurant called Le Restaurant.
It is the most beautiful space, romantic would be an understatement.

The cuisine is more modern than most formal stuffy Michelin star restaurants in Paris.
No vegetarian choices here, so gluten free, veg heads, stay away.

The food is fresh, and the menu changes frequently.
The chef's menu is market driven and his presentations are like works of art.
He is younger than most Michelin chefs, and the crowd here is too.

I will let the photos speak for themselves.

They start you with amuse bouche (served on slate)....filled w/ yummy small bites.

Then another little treat of smoked eel mousse comes out to tease you.......ok, I am in.

We started with this beautiful masterpiece, almost too beautiful to eat, but we managed.

Gorgeous crab w/ yuzu mousse and avocado (yuzu is an Asian citrus fruit).
DIVINE.

and yes, that is gold dust you are seeing.

I had the eggplant caviar graffiti w/ roasted quail (not pictured) and Henry ordered the filet of boeuf from Patagonia with Bordelaise sauce.

Fantastic.

They were kind enough to split the vanilla madagascar mousse with caramel eclair and spongecake. We also had tiny red plums (in season now) w/ lemon something........One of the best desserts we have ever had.

Service was attentive and friendly.

If you have a special occasion, (and in Paris, when isn't it a special occasion?), go to Le Restaurant for a memorable dinner and fantastic Parisian experience.

Loved it!


One of the better meals we've eaten in Paris over the years was had last evening at L'epi Dupin on the Left Bank, located on a little street called Rue Dupin.

Our friend Eileen's favorite address, she has been raving about it for years.

It is a prix fixe menu. 39 euros per person for a 3 course fabulous meal. Truly a bargain.
The chef only uses sustainable fish and the best seasonal ingredients.

We started with crispy squid and herb pastry w/ legumes and a shredded duck eggroll on salad.......

Plats were a beef stew w/ Thai eggplants in a red wine sauce (to die for), and a cod (what else would I order?) on a vegetable stew in foam.

Desserts were memorable. A mirabelle tart for the husband, and my favorite of the trip, sliced quince (which I have never had before!) with black lentils, almond ice cream and a cookie crumble. WOW factor.

Mostly regulars in here, not many tourists, but the staff spoke English.

Dogs always welcome.


For a more casual evening, walk over to the 7th arrondissement and stand in line outside with your glass of wine and wait to get into Cafe Constant.

Chef Christian Constant's casual restaurant with fantastic food.

The queue moves quickly, so don't worry.....it will be worth the wait.

We were lucky enough to score seats at le bar, since the tables are kind of tight.

Here you will have traditional French food, prepared with a twist.

We had frogs' legs, fried crisp with pillowy interiors and a marinated salmon to start.

Dinner was an amazing poached cod w/ garlic aioli and vegetables and a duck parmentier, which was a duck leg, and more duck underneath whipped potatoes and topped with potatoes gaufrette!!!

A lot of quacking going on this trip!!
Henry happy.

Starters are around 11 euros and main plats are 16 euros.

Lovely wine and fantastic friendly service.

And if you walk home along Rue Rapp, like we do, you are rewarded with the best views of the Eiffel Tower in Paris!