Dining out even in one of the best places to be like Paris need not be expensive. There are great restaurants in Paris that are cheap eats and will not break the bank. To help you prepare for that Paris trip and dine-out, here are 5 of them:
The Foyer de la Madeleine is a favorite Parisian foodie pilgrimage, hosting the Aladdin's cave gourmet boutiques of Fauchon and Hediard. Hidden beneath the Madeleine church is an offbeat canteen that serves up simple but tasty fare to over 300 people every lunchtime, at the price of €8 for a three-course meal. Over on the side from the grand entrance into the Madeleine itself, a small door leads into the Foyer.
The Vietnamese fare here in Le Bambou is a notch above what is normally served in Paris. Seating is elbow to elbow and, should you be alone, the waiter will draw a line in the middle of the paper tablecloth and seat a stranger on the other side. There is the no. 42: grilled marinated pork to be wrapped in lettuce with beansprouts and herbs and eaten by hand, dipped into the accompanying sauce. No.43 is the same but with pre-soaked rice paper wrappers.
Star pastry chef Pierre Hermé visits Le Baratin every 2 weeks. Le Baratin is a cheerful little bistro and wine bar high up in Belleville. Pierre Herme comes to fill up on Raquel Carena's homely cooking with the occasional exotic twist. Raquel draws on her native Argentina, with tuna carpaccio with cherries, roast Basque lamb with new spinach and potatoes, and hazelnut pudding. If still not impressed with the cheap eats here, the mostly organic wines are still worth it.
Everyone always seems so happy with the food and the jolly atmosphere in A la Biche au Bois. Generous portions are offered with the €25.90 prix fixe menu. Main dish might include tasty portions of wild duck in blackcurrant sauce, wild venison stew or partridge with cabbage. If you want dessert, try the home-made tarts laden with seasonal fruits. Also, their wine list has a reputation as one of the best-value selections in town.
The Jewish Ashkenazi specialties at Sacha Finkelsztajn is located on Rue des Rosiers, at the heart of Le Marais, Paris' historic Jewish neighborhood, Sacha Finkelsztajn's "yellow store" offers a selection of delicious Polish and Eastern European pastries and breads. Sacha Finkelsztajn's pastries and bread is sure to be among the top 5 in cheap eats in Paris.
