Buy the Pudlo guide in English. Their recommendations are the best, hands down.

Part of the romantic meal is the romantic stroll home. I would never want to end a special meal by heading for the metro. Pick a place in your own arronndissement or at least close to home.

The very best deals in Paris, anywhere in France actually, are on prix fixe lunches at one of the palais de haute cuisine. You might consider lunch for a really special dining experience.

Though portions are small, I am often uncomfortable eating restaurant dinners in France. Even three courses is just trop. Another reason why we prefer to splurge at lunch time.

We've been to Paris many times - never ate at "desination" restaurants. Always winged it. Lunches are the best deals. Often dinner components were collected and then enjoyed outdoors or in our room - wine, cheese, olives, bread, roasted chicken or meats from small charcuteries...There are fabulous fresh markets and food stores selling stuff you can't get close to in the States. We always travel with "picnic" supplies (think cutlery, corkscrew, etc...)

Being in the city is the best experience. We just flop down when we're tired and hungry. Hope you have a great time there. Don't miss the Musee d'Orsay.

segrass

If you like souffle then try Le Souffle restaurant. The food is to die for and very good. All of the items are souffles and it was probably one of the best meals I ever had.

Here is a link that might be useful: Le Souffle

For a romantic setting (and pretty good food, too) try
Le Chalet des Iles. It's on the lake in the bois de Boulogne and you take a boat to get to the restaurant.

So you're getting ready for your fabulous Paris adventure! How's your jaw pain? Hope that is clearing up.

Even if you're not an adventurous diner, you can soak up some gorgeous atmosphere and nice food at a decent price. One beautiful place is Cafe de la Paix that is right next to the Opera. They also serve prixe fixe menus. Just stunning decor.

Are you staying at the Four Seasons? If so, and you get tired of French food, there's a great Northern Italian place that's across the street (or off a block or two) on George V. It's called Findi . We've eaten there when we stayed at the Marriott on the Champs. The most beautiful dessert I've ever eaten. It even had frittilaries on it.

I'm very envious. Have a great time!!

Thanks everyone for the recommendations. We do tend to "wing it" for the most part depending on where we happen to be at mealtimes. And I do expect that we'll be having bread, cheese, etc from a market for some meals.

Suero, Le Chalet des Iles looks so pretty. I think we will go there!

Parma, yes, starting to make my lists! April is going to be a busy month so I know May 1 will be here before we know it. We have been talking about this trip for 4 years, ever since our last trip (with kids, so a whole different trip). Jaw pain is gone, I am happy to say. It was the worse 5 weeks of my life, but with the help of a mouth guard and a brilliant massage therapist, the pain is gone. Still have clicking in my jaw but who cares as long as the awful muscle spasms are gone! Thanks for your concern.

Anyway, funny you should mention Cafe de la Paix, since just last night DH said "we have to go there" -- we walked by it a few times last time we were there, but it was too fancy for our kids.

Yes, fancy us, we are staying at the George V. I refuse to look at the bill when it arrives. ;) This is all DH's doing. I would have been fine at the Holiday Inn. Anyway, I will add Findi to our list.

Stuck at home this morning waiting for the gas meter replacement guy to show, so I'm working on our itinerary!

Oh, how I envy you!

I wish I could remember some names of brasseries and bistros for you, but while I can visualize them, the names escape me! As Parma said, Cafe de la Paix is wonderful.

To me, there is no such thing as a bad meal in Paris. Of course, one of my favorite things to do is sit at an outdoor cafe (Cafe Deux Magot on the Left Bank, for example, but any outdoor cafe will do) and enjoy a sandwich jambon and a cafe au lait as we watch the people.

You're staying at one of the most fabulous places in the world. I have fond memories of the George V. I haven't been there since it was remodeled. I can only imagine what it is like today!

Please have some tarte tatin for DH and me at the cafe at Giverny's Impressionist Museum.

Here is a link that might be useful: Terra Cafe

If you like antiques, or just window shopping for antiques, check out the Rue de Beaune and surrounding streets. These are not flea market antiques. The street is not far from the Musee d'Orsay, which to my mind is much better than the Louvre.

Suero, I agree about Musee d'Orsay. I have only been to the Louvre once and that was to see the Mona Lisa, which was a disappointment. Before the impressionist work was moved to d'Orsay, it was in a little Museum at the end of the Louvre, called the Jeu de Paume (or something like that). I loved the art and I loved that there were no crowds!

Sue, I know you've probably already been, but a beautiful place is Montmarte in the evening. The Sacre Coeur is illuminated (as is all of Paris, it seems) and is spectacular, as is the view from Montmartre. The stars seem so close it's as if you can reach out and touch them.

Oh, how I'm living vicariously though you. As many times as I was lucky enough to visit Paris, I never visited Giverney. I could smack myself and I hope you take KD's advice and go.

I know one of the GW posters of long ago has friends living in Paris. I will write to her and see if I can get some current dining suggestions for you.

Suero, I completely agree. The first time we went, we spent maybe an hour in the Louvre. I found it overwhelming and too humid or something. I couldn't wait to get out. On the other hand, I could have stayed for the day in the d'Orsay. Unfortunately it will be under construction while we're there, but it looks like just one floor will be closed.

sueb, If you are a cook, you MUST head to the best cookware shop I've ever found...E. DeHellerin. All the staff, except for the cashier, are men. That store has anything you could possibly want. Our knives, pots and many of our pans were purchased there...inexpensive compared to the US and extremely durable. The products shown on their website don't even start to show what they stock in the store. I'd go back there to shop in a flash, if I could!

Here is a link that might be useful: E. Dehellerin

Hi - not a recommendation from me but I just read this on a chat with Washington Post critic Tom Sietsema on Feb 24/2010 and remembered when you mentioned you'll be staying at the Georges V
Emma

""Rosslyn, Va.: I need to send a grand "merci" your way, Tom. Unknown to me, my now-fiance had contacted you a while back, asking for restaurant recommendations in Paris. One month ago, he told me we were going to Detroit/Canada for the weekend but instead surprised me with a trip to Paris (I found out at Reagan Airport, causing a petit scene where I jumped up and down in excitement at the news). Instead of two days in Michigan, we stayed in France for five and got engaged at the Eiffel Tower our second day there. Turns out he had been in touch with you and based on your wonderful advice made reservations at Cinq in the Georges V Four Seasons restaurant.

This was the most memorable meal of my life...everything from the elegant champagne cart rolled out to celebrate our engagement to the keepsake picture with "Congratulations!" written on the frame to the box of chocolates they sent us home with. I felt like a queen dining at Versailles and began to tear up halfway through dinner as I took everything in.

I know you had guided him to Cinq and later to Restaurant Drouant, and thanks to you we indulged in a foodie's dream come true that weekend. Thank you for helping make our engagement trip so special and unforgettable...you really went above and beyond. Merci beaucoup!!

Tom Sietsema: Your post just made my month. Thank YOU for writing. Le Cinq is where I sent my parents for their 50th anniversary and I remember them raving about the meal forever after. My meals there have been nothing short of glorious.""

Here is a link that might be useful: Tom Sietsema Postcard from Paris with Rec's from 2007

We love Le Reminet and always eat there when we are visiting Paris. I would suggest going to www.slowtrav.com and chowhound.com and you will find many wonderful Paris recommendations, I made a list from places recommended on those forums and we tried many of them and they were all fabulous. Love Paris! Wish we were going this year!

We just got back from Paris and had a wonderful time with our three teenage daughters. Have you considered lunch at Jules Verne? The fixed price menu was 80 euros each, you have an incredible view, and it feels so special to ride up in the private elevator! You can see the menu on line, my husband and I had the ox cheeks, which sounds so weird, but the meat was like butter. The experience was definitely worth it.

We're looking forward to going without the kids someday as well, lucky you!