Cheap Eats in Paris

Author Sandra Gustafson shares with us her secrets for eating well on a budget: order the set menu (formule) or the plat du jour à la carte, house wine (vin de la maison), and tap water (l'eau ordinaire). Or, cut expensive corners by seeking out fast food à la Française (le snack). Included is a list of unacceptable activities that will indubitably offend Parisian wait staff, such as ordering only drinks from a table with a cloth or place mat (they are reserved for patrons ordering food), drinking coffee with a meal, and asking waiters for a doggie bag or to split a dish. A substantial glossary of food terms and menu items is a thoughtful addition.

Listings are arranged by arrondissement and provide information on hours, reservations, credit card usage, special menus, availability of English, and nearest metro stops. Gustafson's ample depictions evoke lush images of décor, ambiance, and, of course, cuisine that is nothing short of magnifique, ensuring that your next meal in Paris will be exactly what you were hoping for. --Jhana Bach