Pastavino

If you feel like going slumming in jeans and keds and have an urge for authentic Italian food of quality, Pastavino is the place. Situated in the heart of the Latin Quarter with its black and gold decor, offering a profusion of coloured homemade pastas, salads and Italian delicatessens, with a menu of Frs. 80-120 served with regional Italian wines and two or three special pastas of the day. This is my haunt.

My preferences being �Spaghetti aglio, olio e peperoncino� (52 Frs.), �Spaghetti alle vongole� (70 Frs.). The choice of the veal dishes is difficult, as they are all excellent. The �Gamberoni fritti� (95 Frs.) is exceptional. Of the Italian desserts the �Tiramisu� proves just how genuine the cuisine is.

In the 6th district 55, rue Dauphine, (Latin quarter/Odeon), Tel. 01 46 33 93 83. � In the 16th district 30, rue de Passy, (near the Eiffel Tower), Tel. 01 45 27 92 96. � In the 17th district 18 bis, rue Pierre Demours, Tel. 01 45 72 28 51

La Guinguette Maxim's

LA GUINGUETTE MAXIM�SGuinguettes were in the 19th century open air restaurants on the banks of the River Marne, where factory workers lunched, dined and danced on Saturdays until dawn. Having disappeared with the 20th century, they suddenly became fashionable in the 90s.

The Guinguette Maxim�s a barge on the Seine at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and is a brainwave of Pierre Cardin. Originally a barge that transported sand, it was reconstructed and personally decorated by him in the 1900�s Belle Epoque Maxim�s style.

It offers the Parisians and tourists an unusual experience of snacking, lunching, dining and dancing on the banks of the Seine or in the very warm, cosy colourful interiors.

The menu offers a choice of foods for any time, all day or a la carte for lunch and dinner, with wine served by the glass, �pichet� (jug) or bottle.

Sitting on the banks of the Seine, watching the world go by, my favourite snack is �Croque Madame� (45 Frs.) with green salad or as a main course �Saint Pierre beech wood smoked filet with risotto with cream truffles� (150 Frs.) and a glass of Medoc (28 Frs.). �The glazed cinnamon lamb� (130 Frs.) and �Braised veal liver accompanied with endives in orange sauce� (120 Frs.) are also amongst my favourites. If you have a sweet tooth, the desserts offer a variety of cakes, ice-creams (42 Frs.) and �creme brulee with cinnamon� (48 Frs.).

Le Voltaire

INSTALLED in one of the houses of the famous 18th century writer Voltaire, on the banks of the Seine at St. Germain des Pres, since 1880, this chic bistro has not aged thanks to its delicious traditional French cuisine, its warm and very Parisian ambience and attentive service.

Practically a club for the leading haute couture designers, national and international writers, film stars and singers, one goes there also to see and be seen.

The menu is so vast that even those who are on a perpetual diet have a wide choice.

I usually have two entrees or one main course. My favourite entrees are �Salade de Crabe frais au basilic� (165 Frs.) or �Salade de haricots verts, fonds d�artichauts, foie gras frais maison� (150 Frs.).For a main course its either �Coquilles St. Jacques sautees a l�echalote� (190 Frs.) or �Quenelles de san (135 Frs)

Cafe Marly

In the Richelieu wing of the Louvre, overlooking the Pyramide of I.M. Pei, this very �in� restaurant offers one of the most enchanting views of Paris. The interiors decorated in the warm antique colours of ash blue and pompeien red, of the Napoleon III era, contrasts with the contemporary furniture of pure and simple lines. The terrace that that opens in summer gives onto the Napoleon courtyard, is a must for the Parisians and tourists who sit, sip a drink and watch the breathtaking sunsets in summer.

The international menu offers a potpourri of French, Italian, Oriental starters and main courses. Since one goes there to look at the view, the stars, the rich and famous; food is secondary. You could order anything from a �Special club sandwich (60 Frs.), �Cheeseburger� (90 Frs.) or �Petit nem de poulet� (chicken spring rolls) (60 Frs.) to different cuts of steak (110-130 Frs.), �Couscous et carre d�agneau roti� (150 Frs.) to �Steak de canard laque aux epices� (130 Frs.), accompanied by a glass, 1/2 or 1 bottle of wine or champagne the choice of which goes from the ordinary to the extraordinary.Cour Napoleon, 93, rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, Tel. 01 49 26 06 60

La Fontaine De Mars

Situated in front of the Fountain of Mars, this very old bistro has not changed its very charming decor since 1930.A very interesting menu based on the specialities of the South West of France with desserts that vary between traditional and creativity along with a very wide choice of wines.

Welcomed by the owners who speak English, my favourites in this very cosy bistro are the specialities like �Petit pate de cepes tiede (75 Frs.), �Oeufs en meurette� (45 Frs.) for a starter and as a main course in winter its always �Veritable cassoulet au canard confit et haricots tarbais� (125 Frs.) or �Margret de canard au miel de citronnier� (110 Frs.) or �Confit de canard gersois, pommes persillade� (95 Frs.). The creative desserts are �Chaud-froid d�ananas confit au miel� (50 Frs.) and �Gateau Grand-mere, chocolat a l�orange� (50 Frs.) 129, rue Saint-Dominique, 75007 Paris, Tel. 01 47 05 11 13

Alain Ducasse

Alain Ducasse, the only six star awarded Chef of France, with a capital C, is firstly a cook. He creates the menus. Most of the dishes appear for one season only and the menus (4 dishes and 2 desserts) change every day. According to him there is only one criterion; taste. Only one requirement; quality. Only one judge; the Chef. �Fashions should be created rather than followed� is another one of his sayings.

The culinary synthesis of all the regions of France is perfectly featured on the Brillat Savarin Menu (a menu inviting you to sample the cuisine without worrying about choice). The menus, as well as their name, vary according to the season: Black truffles during winter, crustaceans in autumn and spring, white truffles during summer.

Walking into the restaurant, which is a 1900 town house between Trocadero and Etoile, is like entering into the holy of holies of gastronomy. The elegant decor enhanced with collector�s pieces �Art Nouveau� evokes the felt covered English clubs. The bar on the ground floor welcomes the guests to its warmly comfortable spaces.

The dining area above consists of three historic rooms which, thanks to its decor, reconstructs the periods of the Renaissance, masterpieces of the famous oils of the Holland painters and Louis XV.

Above this, the kitchens occupy a whole floor and the third floor is the confectionery and bakery, without which the meal is incomplete.

Dining here is an unforgettable experience of the awakening of the tastebuds to what is called sublime and exquisite.The wines which are suggested are exceptional.59, avenue Raymond Poincare, 75116 ParisTel. 01 47 27 12 27.

Castle

Highlight of the Parisian nightlife, Castel is the glowing royal jewel of the rue Princesse. A private club for a selected crowd who are pampered and feel at home with VIPs and celebrities galore. It has two restaurants, a bar-smoking salon and the discotheque.

Le Foyer
Has a bistro menu with starters, main course, dessert, in a friendly atmosphere at Frs. 250 until 1 a.m.

Le Restaurant
On the first floor offers a gastronomic French menu, with seasonal products, in a �Art Deco� ambience at Rs. 3000 until midnight.

Le Club
The discotheque at basement level has all sorts of music, in a cosy sitting room atmosphere, thus catering to every generation. Price of a bottle of any alcohol Frs. 1,200 (Frs. 950 for members) open from 23.30 hours until dawn.15, rue Princesse, 75006 Paris, Tel. 01 40 51 52 80.