Paris

[American_Suisse]

I'm not one of those travelers that feels theys must stay at the best hotel or eat at the finest resturant whenever I travel. Much prefer to find small, out-of-the way places to place my head and explore the non tourist areas in search of neighborhood resturants.
If you happen to be like me, and find yourself heading to Paris...the one in France...here are a couple of new found (for me) places.
First the hotel. I stayed at Hôtel des Chevaliers (The Hotel of Knights). Sadly, it was discovered that the hotel was undergoing renevation at the time of my stay so I was not able to enjoy the full charm. That did not stop me from enjoying my stay there. After all...I just sleep in the room. What more do I need? The website is http://www.chevaliers-paris-hotel.com/ for those interested. It's located not far from the Bastille Metro and an easy walk from gare de Lyon...the train station. I ate breakfast there each day. It wasn't bad but any American traveling to Europe for the first time might not understand the effort made in providing it.
There are two resturants that I really enjoyed while there. The first was located at the end of the block that the hotel is located on. Just walk out the door and turn left. You can't miss it. Named the Café Royal Turenne it's what would probably be called a neighborhood diner back in the states.
Small, cozy with signs and “decorations” on what seemed to be every available wall space…as well as the ceiling. My travel companion was a good friend of mine from Switzerland. We both ordered the Pounti D’Auvergne aux Pruneaux for our appetizer. It was a vegetable torte with prunes. Very good! Francis had cote de boeuf (which with my limited french translated as demension of ox)and fries. I ordered travers de porc avec miel et d’Auvergne et thym (sparerib of pork with honey and of Auvergne and thyme. I really need to learn more French!). Francis said his meal was good. I thought the beef looked a bit tough. Mine however was very enjoyable.
The next place is located not very far from the hotel as well. Crêperie Suzette can be found by leaving the hotel and turning left again. At Café Royal Turenne, turn right and cross the street and just walk a couple of blocks. Located on Franc-Bourgeois, it's a very small, nice little hole-in-the-wall resturant. There is an upstairs portion to the place which I did not see. I would dare say that most of us Americans would have difficulty getting to the seating area against the wall! Francis had La Charlot crepe. Cheese, minced meat, egg, tomato coulis (tomato purée) and basil and I had La Barbetter. A crepe consisting of cheese, bacon, cream and basil. We both thought they were just okay but the desserts! Wow! He had the Pommes (apple) Carmel crepe and I had the Crumble aux Pommes-apple and caramel crumble. We both agreed that the desserts made the place. We ate at other locations during our stay which were just okay but found ourselves back at Crêperie Suzette three times during our stay just for the desserts!!

[Mezzaluna]

I'll put this on my list of places to visit. I seem to find my way to Paris every decade or so!

[chefjune]

is Cafe Mouffetard, at the foot of the rue Mouffetard, in the 5me. It's very unobtrusive, and looks more like a bar on the outside, but don't be deterred. They make all their own brioche, croissants and pain complet. It's hard to decide what to choose, but I have to tell you the brioche is the most wonderful I have ever eaten. It's like silk.

The rue Mouffetard is a permanent Market Street, and there are lots of small shops lining the street where you can get goodies like cheese, fruit, charcuterie and the like to enjoy a picnic or just a snack in your room.

[vestandini]

My top place for both wine and food is "Le Pre Verre" The people there have a great artisan-vintners wine list and I alway ask them what wine pairs best with the food we ordered. It is very close to Bd Saint Germain.You'll fin the place on Google.

Another one is "Le Georges" on the roof of Centre Pompidou . Great view on Paris roofs. A bit more expensive but very good value for a glass if you choose to skip food there.

[Bazza]

Stayed in a small boutique hotel in Bastille called Le Marceau. Very chic glass and stainless steel affair. The hotel receptionist reccomended a great little restaurant called Bofinger, 6 Rue de la Bastille, a little hard to find but it was a gem. Full of locals (always a good thing) and nobody speaking English, we managed to make our orders understood. Fantastic food, lots of fish, I started with oysters and followed with a scallop and asparagus risotto with truffled oil, so good I near copied it and put it on my menu. They even had a wet fish counter on the street and passers by were stopping to swallow oysters. Quite good value too as its not a touristy place.