Here is a small guide to some of the places where we ate in Paris. All are reasonably priced and not too touristy.
Bon appetit.
1. Le Beau Violet, 92 rue des Entrepreneurs, 75015
A very quirky Corsican restaurant in the 15th. The owner, Roger, befriended His L when he lived in Paris and he always pays him a visit whenever he's in town. We (four of us) shared dried sausage, sardines, bread and salad to start. For main, we chomped on a hearty stew of beans, sausage and other fine meats, washed down with several bottles of excellent Corsican red wine. Note: you can smoke inside so your clothes will smell. Also, the bathroom is down the street, but if it's authentic food and a traditional atmosphere you're after, you're in the right place.
Price: Approx £40 per head including wine. Very popular with the local community.
2. Sud Ouest Monceau, 8 rue Meissonier, 75017
A very traditional oldly-wordly affair - they have an old-school deli out front and you are led through to a dark, wooden dining room with doilies for lampshades, unusual items adorning the walls and each table has its own toaster. Quirky but cool. Cuisine is traditional to the south of Bordeaux - think stews (again!), duck and their speciality, foie gras. Absolutely incredible. Price: Our bill was 210 euros, including wine. Another locals joint.
3. Les Philosophes, 28 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75004
Set in the heart of Le Marais, a hub of hustle and bustle and great shops, this busy cafe-style restaurant is the perfect place for lunch or dinner and is brilliant for people watching. Key items on the menu include steak tartare, steak and chips and snails and, of course, they have a great wine list. We had to wait for 20 mins to get in so they sent us across the road to their sister cafe La Belle Hortense (a very cute library-cum-wine bar) where you can sip on a Kir Royale while thumbing through their incredible book selection. Price: Again, reasonable - around £35 per head.
4. Brasserie Lipp, 151 Boulevard St. Germain, 75006
The most tourist-like place we ate and the most 'French' - i.e. rather rude. After waiting for 45 mins, despite having a reservation, we were seated and our coat tag was thrown at us - charming. In this place, it seemed to me like you needed to be 'someone' or have had quite a large amount of plastic surgery to be treated with much grace. We were seated on the ground floor which is apparently a miracle, they tend to shove the tourists upstairs... That said, the menu was good and varied and the service was quick - especially given the fact that it was completely full to bursting. Try with patience.
Price: 160 euros was our total bill, including wine.
French designer John Paul Gaultier, creator of that cone bra, lover of stripes and maker of some of the most provocative fragrances (and ads) on the market, has teamed up with Paris-based furniture maker Roche Bobois to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The range launched in the US today.
