Originally Posted by natalyas
I'm also looking for a restaurant in Paris for NY Eve, but my problem is that we're seeing an opera and therefore need to have an early dinner. However, none of the restaurants seem to open until 7pm, which will be too late for us. Any suggestions? I don't think the opera will finish until about 11, so I wouldn't want to even try to get a table at that point.
If anyone has any particular recommendations, we're looking for something good and French, but not over-the-top expensive.
I wouldn't recommend any French dinner you could find at 6pm, so I suggest you either a) have a late multiple course lunch where you can linger well into the afternoon, or b) have a nice dinner after your opera; it shouldn't be too difficult to reserve a nice table in Paris for that time.
For example, out of curiosity, I just phoned one of my favorite resto's in the neighborhood around the Bastille opera (I assume that's where you'll be), who told me they will be open for new year's eve and will accept reservations for 11:15pm. They will have a special menu, but the cuisine will surely be southwest French (think canard, foie gras, truffles, etc.), and the prices are reasonable. The place is Baracane: 38 r Tournelles (4th): +33 1 42 71 43 33. Feel free to PM me if I can lend a hand.