I'm only reviewing restaurants that I have been to many times. I don't
think much of the Gault & Millau ratings or the Michelin ones but their
books are useful. I mention the current (1999) Michelin grades even though
I may not agree with them in many cases.
Where you see an * it means that you should reserve at least one week in
advance. Two *s means several weeks (or months!) in advance!!! If you are in Paris you must dial 01 before the numbers given below.
It's hard (but not impossible!) to find bad food in Paris.Go off on your own and see what you can discover.
LASSERRE
- 17 av. Franklin-Roosevelt(VIII). *Telephone 4359-5343;Fax 4563-7223.
This is my favorite for over 30 years. It is certainly the most
beautiful room in Paris and, even though Michelin reduced it
from 3 stars to 2 a few years ago, the food is still among the
best. It is a large room and so very suitable for parties of
8 or 10 at oval tables. When the roof slides open, as it does
frequently, you will enjoy an unusual treat. The service is
perfect and the doorman will park your car. The manager is
M. Louis:the maitre d' is Henri.
TAILLEVENT
-15 rue Lamennais(VIII). **Telephone 4561-1290:Fax 4225-9518.
This is the best restaurant in Paris. The food, the service and the
elegance of the ensemble are tops. The doorman will park your
car. Be sure and request seating in the main room and not the
outer room which is rather plain. Here I agree with the Michelin
3 star rating. The owner is M. Vrinat;the maitre d' is Jean Marie.
AMBROISIE
-9, pl.des Vosges(IV).**Telephone 4278-5145.
Here too I agree with Michelin's three stars.Most expensive
but excellent. Owner, Madame Pacaud;Maitre d' Pascal
VIEUX BISTRO
-1, rue du Cloitre Notre Dame(IV). Telephone 4354-1885.
A very modest little place across the street to the
north of Notre Dame. Ask to sit in the front room
- or even on the sidewalk in good weather. This was
recommended to us by the owner of Taillevent and one of
our friends still thinks it's the best food in Paris!
It has the added virtue of being open on Sunday night.
LA CREPE CANETTE
-10, rue des Canettes (VI). Telephone 4326-2765.
Completely unprepossessing but great for a simple lunch
choosing from a huge assortment of crepes-that you
can customize if you wish!
GERARD BESSON 
-5, rue Coq Heron (I). Telephone 4233-1474.
This is a deservedly 2 star restaurant with an
owner/chef we recall from about 1970 when he was
just a young waiter at the great, great Chez Garin.
Intimate and elegant although sometimes a bit quiet.
BOUQUINISTES
- 53, quai des Grands Augustins (VI). Telephone 4325-4594.
Just what a bistro ought to be - good food, casual,
pleasant ambiance and good service. Rather easy to
park and open on Sunday.
LE SOUFFLE 
-36, rue Mont Thabor (I). Telephone 4260-2719.
A real favorite. Usually for lunch but good for dinner also. We start
with a cheese souffle and for dessert a chocolate or a raspberry souffle.
Other food also available. Pleasant and fairly fast service.
BASTIDE ODEON
-7, rue Corneille (VI). Telephone 4326-0365.
For no special reason - just a typical neighborhood bistro with good
food and pleasant ambiance.
CHEZ RENE
-14, boulevard St.-Germaine (V). Telephone 4354-3023.
Strictly a steak and potatoes bistro but somehow we often see celebrities
here. The food is quite good.
DOMINIQUE
- 19, rue Brea (VI). Telephone 4327-0880.
Used to eat at the counter here in 1938-39 and practice my Russian with
M. Dominique who remembered my great-uncle, Velodya Karavia, the opera
singer who introduced me to Rachmaninoff! Since then it's had its ups and
downs - 2 stars for a while but now just good Russian food under very pleasant
new ownership. We lunch on blini and caviar.
INSTITUTE DE MONDE ARABE
- Corner of Fosses St. Bernard and quai St. Bernard at Pont Sully (V).
Telephone 4225-0039 .
If you like Middle East food (and I do!) go to the roof for a great
view of Paris and excellent eating on the outdoor terrace in good weather-otherwise
inside.
FAUGERON
-52 r. Longchamp (XVI). Telephone 4704-2453, Fax 4755-6290
A very good, two star, elegant restaurant.
TONG YEN 
1 bis, rue Jean Mermoz(VIII).
Telephone
4225-0423, Fax 4563-5157
We
think this is the best oriental food in town and Terese is a charming
hostess.
JAMIN
-32 rue Longchamp (XVI).Telephone
4553-0007,
Fax 4553-0015
I
should have mentioned this sooner. It's an old favorite from the
Robuchon days
and still gets two stars . M. Guichard is the amiable owner.
FINAL NOTES:
Arpege has great food - BUT -We were told to go a couple blocks away to
park;we
were unimpressed by the wine list (especially the champagnes);an
abundance of
waiters fluttered around and were quite incompetent. Lucas Carton
is
sometimes great but always overpriced;we no longer go to Tour D'Argent
or
Jacques Cagna.
The Espadon at the Ritz and the Grand Vefour both deserve to be
mentioned favorably