My favorite restaurants in Paris

It’s been 6 months since we left Paris and while I love the KL life of glorious food and sunshine, every now and then I long for and remember the charming quaint Parisian bistros and delicious gourmet ‘tables’. So for those who will one day venture to Paris, in search of the best off the beaten path restaurants or bistros, look no further than my top 10 (in no particular order). As I cannot add more, as I would love to, I would appreciate if you would add your favorite restaurants in the City of Lights.

1. Les Tontons:

Known for the most astonishing array of steak tartare variations – from the classic raw steak tartare to the kicks (semi raw, quick grilled). It was so worth going to that we drove north to south of Paris just to eat here.

My usual: roundtrip steak tartar made with melted camembert and honey inside.

Address: 38 rue Raymond Losserand, 75014 Paris. phone: 01 43 21 69 45

2. Chez Georges:

Famous for its charming atmosphere and serves comforting traditional French food. Packed for lunch and dinner, especially during Fashion Week. Definitely book early.

My usual: lentil salad followed by pepper steak.

Address: 1 rue du Mail, 75002 Paris. Phone: 01 42 60 07 11

3. The Silver Tower:

Elegant and luxurious gourmet restaurant, famous for two things: the Parisian panoramic view of the River Seine and the Duck. On the wall, hang all the photos of famous people who have gone from presidents to actresses.

My pick: Coquilles Saint-Jacques entrance followed by Caneton Tour d’Argent (their most famous duck).

Address: Quai de la Tournelle, 15, 75005 Paris. Phone: 01 43 54 23 31

4. Feet in the water:

Nice riverside restaurant in Neuilly-sur-Seine (very posh neighborhood on the outskirts of Paris) on an island called Ile de la Jatte. My in-laws favorite regular restaurant.

My usual: Terrine of chicken livers with foie gras and confit onion followed by sole meunière with chard gratin.

Address: 39, Boulevard du Parc, 92200 Neuilly-Sur-Seine. Phone: 01 47 47 64 07

5. At Benoit’s:

Very traditional French cuisine, belonging to the Alain Ducasse group (it was the restaurant that Princess Diana was supposed to go to before she died). Delicious, charming and the same waiters have been there for the last 15 years (they still recognize me).

My usual: snails (in their delicious garlic, butter oil, and parsley) followed by rack of lamb.

Address: 20, rue St Martin, 75004 Paris. Phone: 01 42 72 25 76

6. The Voltaire:

One of my favorites in Paris. I also found out from Jean Todt that it is also his favorite! Quaint, classic little restaurant (often seen Carole Bouquet and Gerard Depardieu) with great service. Located next to the Quai de Voltaire, river Seine, not far from the Musee Quai d’Orsay.

My usual: lentil salad followed by rack of lamb.

Address: 27 Quai Voltaire, 75007 Paris. Phone: 01 42 61 17 49

7. To Lyonnais:

Aux Lyonnais, which belongs to the Alain Ducasse group, serves comforting dishes with innovative techniques, fresh produce and Lyonnaise (from Lyon) staples such as pike and Isère cheese.

My usual: quenelles (pike) in a creamy sauce.

Address: 32 Rue Saint-Marc, 75002 Paris. Phone: 01 42 96 65 04

8. Lapérouse:

Very nice and charming old style restaurant. Emile Zola, George Sand, and Victor Hugo were regulars here. Frog introduced me to this place for my birthday as a surprise, and I booked the private room. Very romantic!

My choice: monkfish cassoulet.

Address: 51 quai des Grands Augustins, 75006 Paris. Phone: 01 56 79 24 31

9. Entrecot Relay:

If you crave the best French steak fries, look no further than the Relais de l’Entrecote. There are several branches in Paris, but the one I love is in Saint Germain (below). They only serve steak and fries with a delicious sauce. There is no reservation, so be prepared to queue for an hour. But boy is it worth it!

Address: 20 rue Saint-Benoit, 75006 Paris. Phone: 01 45 49 16 00

10. The skin:

It is pronounced “Ee-day”. This was one of our last busiest bistros. It is small but serves delicious and affordable traditional French food. We discovered this from the Le Figaroscope reference guide.

My usual: snails on toast, followed by a giant steak.

Address: 10, Rue du Général Lanrezac, 75017 Paris. Phone: 01 45 74 15 81

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