Le Marathon
14 rue Saint-Severin
75005 Paris
01 44 07 11 11

I ran across this little place last week and thought that it was worth mentioning.

It's a cute, albeit touristy place with greek music, audience participation dancing, and plate breaking.

I stopped in at 5:45 in the afternoon when no sensible European would ever think of eating dinner..starving because I'd missed lunch. I was the only one in the restaurant besides Bill the Filipino Bartender (who spoke 7 languages ..including greek). He brought me an complimentary apertif of Samos (similar to Italian Vin Santo) and took my order, but mentioned that the cook wouldnt be arriving for about 15 minutes. 30 minutes later the cook still hadn't arrived so he went into the back and fixed my appetizer plate of rice stuffed grape leaves on a bed of lettuce,greek olives, lemon dressing, and a nice wedge of feta.

Bill was feeling chatty, and since I was the only one in the place, I got to hear about how he joined the US Navy back in 1969 to get out of the Phillipines, has been all over the world, and now lives in and loves Paris. Real interesting guy! He let me break a few of the unfired clay plates they "decorate" the floor with.

Another 20 minutes pass and still no cook, but the Italian host/hawker/door guy (Luigi) showed up and HE was sent back to cook my entree... a very tasty skewer of pork brochettes on a bed of rice. They explained that since it was a small place, they expected everyone to know how to do everyone elses job.

I was quite full by then and passed on the baklava dessert. I chatted for a few more minutes, then paid my 8€ and was off to finish shopping and pack for the next days flight.

Before I left they had both invited me to come back later in the evening for drinks. Having finished packing I popped back in a little after 10 when dinner was in full swing.

Luigi had pulled a couple of women from their tables and was teaching them a dance in front of the bar, and every lady leaving the restaurant got to break a plate on the floor and "make a wish".

Even without the entertainment, it was a great meal for 8€, and definitely worth a trip back..especially for more Samos!

I picked up some of their referral cards, which will get you a free aperitif if you show it. I'd be happy to send one to anyone who's headed to Paris and might want a cheap greek meal during their stay.

Just be sure to say hi from "Missy in Seattle"