FRANCE - Best of Europe 2014 - page 373

atmosphere. Arrive by 19:30 or call ahead (€43 menu, closed Sun-Mon, 27 Rue Malar, Mo:
La Tour-Maubourg, tel. [phone]).
$$ Le Petit Niçois celebrates fish from southern France. Come here for everything from
bouillabaisse to bass to paella to mussels, and enjoy the area's top seafood at decent prices
(a few meat dishes are available). Start with the delectable escargot à la provençale , dive
into the marmite du pêcheur —a delicious version of bouillabaisse, sample the sinful puréed
potatoes, and finish yourself off with the lemon twist finale (citron confit givré aux frais) or
café gourmand desserts. The atmosphere is contemporary—warm though formal—and the
welcome is genuine (€22 two-course menu , €32 three-course menu ; better yet, ask the own-
er, caring Carlos, to give you the royal treatment—matching three courses with wine and
apéritifs for €50; daily, 10 Rue Amélie, Mo: La Tour Maubourg, tel. [phone]).
Between Rue de Grenelle and the River, West of Avenue Bosquet
(See “Rue Cler Restaurants” map, here . )
Some of these places line peaceful Rue de l'Exposition (a few blocks west of Rue Cler), al-
lowing you to comparison shop sans stress.
$$$ 58 Tour Eiffel, on the tower's first level, is popular both for its incredible views
and the cuisine of its famed French chef, Alain Ducasse. Dinner here is pricey (you must
order a complete menu —€70-85) and requires a reservation (two seatings: 18:30 and 21:00;
reserve long in advance, especially if you want a view, either by calling or going online;
within France, dial toll tel. [phone]; from outside France, dial 01 76 64 14 64;
www.restaurants-toureiffel.com ). Lunch is easier (€20 menu , daily 11:30-16:00, no reserva-
tions possible, Mo: Bir-Hakeim or Trocadéro, RER: Champ de Mars-Tour Eiffel).
$$$ La Fontaine de Mars, a longtime favorite and neighborhood institution, draws
Parisians who want to be seen. It's charmingly situated on a tiny, jumbled square with tables
jammed together for the serious business of eating. Reserve in advance for a table on the
groundfloororonthesquare,andenjoythesamemealBarackObamadid.Street-levelseats
come with the best ambience (€20-30 plats dujour, superb foie gras, superb-er desserts, 129
Rue St. Dominique, tel. [phone]).
$$ Au Petit Sud Ouest has stone walls and wood beams, making it a cozy place to
samplefinecuisinefromsouthwesternFrance.Duck,goose,foiegras, cassoulet, andtruffles
are among its specialties. Tables come with toasters to heat your bread—it enhances the fla-
vors of the foie gras (closed Sun-Mon, 46 Avenue de la Bourdonnais, tel. [phone]).
$$ Le P'tit Troquet is a petite eatery taking you back to the Paris of the 1920s. Marie
welcomes you warmly, and chef José cooks a delicious three-course €33 menu with a range
of traditional choices prepared creatively. The homey charm and gourmet quality make this
restaurant a favorite of connoisseurs (opens at 18:30, closed Sun, reservations smart, 28 Rue
de l'Exposition, tel. [phone]).