Two Grand Cafes: For a traditional French restaurant meal there are a couple really good classic restaurants not far from The Louvre. Le Grand Colbert is a large, open expanse of French tradition. The service is friendly and the place bustles with energy. A warm welcome awaits as you enter from the street and pass the long bar on your left. You are guided to one of the tables that are arranged around the guilt mirrored central dining room. Menu suggestions run to the more expected selections such as appetizers of Escargot, Onion Soup Gratinee and Leeks Vinaigrette. Then move on to a selection of lamb or perhaps a roasted free range Capon with mushroom sauce. Desserts are good too with the expected Tarte Tatin, Cafe Leigeois and Isle Flotante. The wine list is adequate with some good priced selections such as the Sancerre Rouge from the Loire Valley for 36 Euros. Complete dinner for 2 will run about 120 Euros including wine and mineral water. Another "Grand Cafe" treat is Le Grand Cafe near the Opera. Downstairs is the bar and bistro seating while the red plush decor dining room is upstairs overlooking the busy Boulevard Des Capucines. Captains in black jackets bustle around the dining room taking orders, boning whole fish and opening wines. The menu has many selections such as fresh vegetable and arugula salads, large seafood platters of shellfish, Sole Muniere, lamb stew and steak frites. The winelist is also modest with average price items such as a white Quincy (Sauvignon Blanc) from the Loire for 32 Euros. Typical desserts are also available here. Dinner for two in this Grand Cafe will run about 125 Euros. Remember prices include tax and tip! Both restaurants accept all major credit cards. Reservations really a good idea at Le Grand Colbert. At Le Grand Cafe the dining room is larger so you can usually walk in without a reservation. Le Grand Colbert 4, rue Vivienne Paris 75002 Tel: 01 42 86 87 88 Le Grand Cafe 4, Boulevard Des Capucines 75009, Paris Tel: 01 43 12 19 00
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