I would love to have suggestions on truly good restaurants for a very reasonable price. If you've ever witnessed a chef at work in a kitchen, you will know the typical reaction at seeing a few carrot tops laying in the trash rather than flavoring a stock or stew. It isn't pretty. Traditionally, then, a chef looks for the most value in any dollar spent.

I have a couple of suggestions from my adopted neighborhood, reachable at Metro Parmentier or Oberkampf:

Restaurant Astier
44 rue JP Timbaud, 11e, 01 43 57 16 35
Completely unpretentious decor and superb food. Your only choice is the 4-course menu at EUR 25, but what a choice it is. The selection for your entrée, plat, and dessert change daily depending on the market. The cheese course is a giant platter with a good 20 cheeses that even the French have trouble distinguishing all by name. Reservations can usually be made the same day but are a must. On a sunny day, have an apéritif beforehand on the square at Aux Tables de la Fontaine, across the street.

Le Villaret, 13 rue Ternaux, 11e, 01 43 57 89 76
Hidden away on a quiet street off the market street section of rue Oberkampf (as opposed to the trendy bar section which starts further up towards Ménilmontant). A step up from Astier in atmosphere and refinement, as well as price (around EUR 40-50 before wine), this bistro is really top class. A wide variety of fish and meat dishes with an à la carte menu that changes daily. And truly amazing desserts. Same deal for reservations as Astier.

Au Trou Normand, 9 rue JP Timbaud, 11e, 01 48 05 80 23
Completely at the other end of the market from Le Villaret, this place is what I think of as France's equivalent of the American diner. Very simple homemade food served in a tiny dining room where you'll be forced to make friends with your neighbors. And ridiculously low prices, with a plat between EUR 5-10. No reservations taken.

And while you're in the neighborhood, try some of the best Maghrebin (North African) pastries around from La Bague de Kenza, 106 rue St. Maur, 11e, just off the corner with rue Oberkampf.

You can try this one, which provides an excellent meal with an all-inclusive menu (wine and coffe). Sorry not to be able to be more precise as concerns the price, but I think it will cost you an average $40 .
If you plan to visit them on fridays or saturdays, don't forget to make a reservation...
Bistrot de la Porte Dorée (Le)
5 bd Soult 75012 PARIS


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Thanks very much for the suggestions. Since finding good food at a value is my way of learning about and understanding Paris, your recommendations are invaluable and now in my travel logue.

I would strongly recommend Rotiserrie Beaujolais. Owned by same owner that owns Tour D'Argent, and just downstairs and across the street from it. Great food. Best three course $75 dinner for two I have ever had anywhere, which included a nice bottle of beaujolais. Hard to beat it, I think.

Djlawman

Le Petit Colombier, 42, rue des Acacias (01 43 80 28 54). I went here with friends in April 2001, during the week of the Paris Marathon. In December, I went again for my birthday with another group of friends (10). For several, this was their first trip to Paris and I almost got as much pleasure watching my friends experience this wonderful food as I enjoyed the food myself. This restaurant has an extensive wine list and specializes in game, but there are plenty of other choices, as well. We kept thinking that they must have comped several items because the final bill was much less than expected - about $65 per person.

Another favorite is Les Bookinistes (named after the bookstalls along the Seine), 53 Quai des Grand-Augustins (01 43 25 45 94). More contemporary food and decor and terrific and fun wait staff. They took pictures for us and posed with us too. This place was probably about $45 - 50 per person including wine and dessert. I would go here every trip to Paris.

[This message has been edited by ILuvParis (edited 10-24-2002).]