5 comments about Pudlo Paris 2007-2008: A Restaurant Guide (Pudlo Paris).

1. We just returned from Paris and I have to say that I wish EVERY major city had a Pudlo guide. I'm sure they're out there in some guise, but this one is simply perfect.
   
   I've used Zagat before and in the States have had pretty good results. However, in Europe, I've found that many Zagat reviewers don't quite get the European dining experience. You find scores of complaints about rude waiters, cramped tables and service taking too long. They don't do these fabulous restaurants justice because they base their experiences on wide-open American restaurants with waiters that speak their language who want to turn their tables as fast as possible. Many of the reviews in Zagat get downright annoying.
   
   The Pudlo Paris guide was fantastic. It didn't matter which arrondissement you were in, you were never more than a block from a perfect dining experince, whether it was in a noisy bistro or a white tablecloth temple of gastronomy.
   
   I'll never go back without it!



2. On our first try with Pudlo's for a week in Paris, we give it two thumbs up. Not every description was accurate - the "rugby restaurant" had nary a green shirt present during the World Championship games - but the cuisine/pricing info was reliable.



3. This book was full of good information on TONS of restaurants, but was hard to use because of its organization - by district. Obviously, this is probably the best way to organize this kind of book, but when traveling I would rather say I'm on Rue Cler, where can I find a good restaurant? Not I'm in the 7th arr. and I have 20 different places in 20 different parts of the arr. which to hunt down? We ended up 'donating' the book to the apartment we rented because we found it rather useless. Also, all of the restaurants in the book were expensive, so the book wasn't good for a couple on a budget.



4. In previous visits to Paris we'd relied on recommendations from friends reviews found on travel websites, and luck. Then you're in Paris and find that the recommended restaurants are far from where you are... or that our friends' taste is rather pedestrian. This time we took the Pudlo guide with us. As a result we ate heavenly - yet as inexpensively as it's possible while the $ is low and the Euro high. The guide is conveniently divided by city areas (arrondissments) so wherever you find yourself at lunch or dinner time, you can just pick a nearby restaurant that's recommended. Restaurants are also marked by price range and decor, and there are a handful of "Pudlo's favorites" -- every one of those was fantastic food. We'll never go to Paris again without the most recent Pudlo in hand.



5. Have to say that this book was one of the most used books on our last trip. We liked how it was written and the reviews seemed to be right on. Fine dining is paramount to us in our travels and this really helped find the spots to try. Highly recommend it.

5 comments about Markets of Paris.

1. "Marketing" is one of the most enjoyable pastimes for a visitor in France. This book unlocks the secrets of Paris's many an varied markets in a well organized and helpful manner. The format is discreet; (You don't look like a dork walking around with a big guide book). The descriptions are candid and intelligent and the images evocative of the treasures that await. I particularly enjoyed having restaurant recommendations for each of the neighborhoods covered.
   We used the Longs' previous book on the markets of Provence during our trips there and were delighted to find a similar guide for Paris.



2. Markets of Paris is an insiders view of the great variety of treasures available to parisians and also to knowledgeable travelers of the French capatol! Here you will find information on where to shop for food, pets, antiques, furniture, military collectables, designer fashons all sorts of things that will become your ultimate souvienor of the city of light! And you will have shoped, just as the citizens of the City have done for hundreds of years, in the markets of Paris.



3. A fascinating book; the market and related stories are wonderful, charming reading. I can almost feel the City unfolding before me.



4. The information provided is very descriptive, accurate and has pretty pictures. However, the yellow typeset is amazingly annoying and furthers the difficulty in finding facts easily when you are walking or finding your way via the transits.
   
   This small bulky book reads like an accumutlation of short stories about the varied food and flea markets, boutiques, restaurnats as well as book and antique finds of the authors.



5. I used this book during a July trip to Paris and I'll take it with me again when I go next month. I always try and visit flea markets when I travel, and the Longs' descriptions of the Paris markets that I went to were spot on. I also love the way it's written--through the clear prose and various anecdotes, you can really sense their love for the city, and for its culture and people. And the photos are great, too.

3 comments about The Patisseries of Paris: Chocolatiers, Tea Salons, Ice Cream Parlors, and more.

1. This is a lovely little fairy tale of a book, and whether you are a foodie, an armchair traveler, a world traveler, or someone who needs romance, this book will supply it in spades. When you see the book, you will notice that it is small, designed to look like a box from a patisserie or chocolatier, and the colors are muted and soft, like a 21rst century impressionist painting seen through a layer of clouds. I loved the writing. It is intimate, honest, amusing, and charming, almost like having your best friend talking to you, and filling your head with incredible pictures. You will almost be able to smell, taste, and hear the sounds of the places you are reading about. I will probably never go to Paris, but I fell in love with France in high school when I studied the language, so I love reading about all things French. If you are lucky enough to go to Paris, a quick perusal of this book will tell you the best places to eat, see, and experience. I do not recommend a quick perusal, however, because this book at it's best, is like a fairy tale in food. It is charming, concise, anecdotal, and romantic, because hey! It is Paris. When your head is filled to bursting with wonderful imagery from the writing, take a moment or ten or twenty to enjoy the beautiful photographs. The really lovely thing about this book is that the writing and the photos go together so well. One does not detract from the other, but it enhances and completes the other. I must say again how much I loved the writing. I really enjoyed the behind the scenes aspect of some of the shops, and especially "A Day In The Life of a Patissier". I can not recommend this book highly enough. It is absolutely wonderful, and I feel as though I have just had a blissful experience and not gained an ounce! The word evocative comes to mind; I can almost see myself sitting at one of those darling little tables, looking chic, tragically beautiful, and sharing sweets with a devastating French actor. That may not be your dream, but it is mine, and I won't say what happens after he pays the bill, and looks soulfully into my eyes, and warns me not to touch the last croissant.



2. A fun guide I finally got to see at the British bookstore, W.H.Smith on rue de Rivoli. The luscious pictures and detailed descriptions make you want to run all over Paris and not miss a single patisserie. Sadly a few places have since closed like Carette. Why any pastry shop should ever close in Paris is beyond me!



3. This cocoa-dusted treasure hits that mythical sweet spot between practical, trusted travel guide and gorgeous, dreamy (if petite) coffee table book. Full of the kind of beautiful photos and evocative lyrical prose that you'll never find in any guide and jam-packed with all of the actionable, expert advice that's missing from all those exquisitely photographed gift books, this one has it all. Organized by arrondissements, you're meant to flip to the neighborhood you're visiting to find the author's recos for the best macarons, tartes or baguettes nearby. If I were visiting France soon, that's just what I'd be doing. Cramming bookmarks between the pages, grabbing a map and taking off before the sun came up. But for now, curled up on my couch in New Jersey, I'm literally reading this like a romantic novel. Cover to cover. Dreaming of Paris...

2 comments about Frommer's Paris 2008 (Frommer's Complete).

1. This was my first trip to Paris and I don't know what I would have done without this guide glued to my side. I used the suggested itineraries as my starting off point, then subtracted and added "top attractions" as needed. My husband and I stayed in Montparnasse, so the sections on each arrondissement were invaluable. I even found the brief summaries on the architecture and history of Paris helpful. I've become a true francophile because of this guide and hope my trip is the beginning of a beautiful relationship with the city of lights!



2. This book is full of great information about the City of Lights! It includes everything from the top sites to see, hints about how to save on your trip,great places to eat, stay and watch Parisian life! It also includes three self guided walking tours, a quick history of Paris, and a Glossary of useful French words, including food, menu and cooking terms. The back flap has a handy Paris metro map, the front flap has a metric conversion chart.Of course, many datailed maps so that you know exactly where to go, includes a large pull out map of the entire city of Paris! Complete, accurate, easy to read and a must have companion for your trip to Paris!

5 comments about Paris (EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE).

1. I loved this book! The maps are excellent as they are different from regular maps, it is like looking down on the town and you can see where each building is. Offers unusual sights to visit and a lot of needed information. I am excited about our upcoming trip



2. The maps, pictures and layouts in this book were all extremely helpful to our visit, as was the descriptions of major attractions.
   
   I found, however, that the recommendations and listing for hotels and restaurants (the key to any good vacation) were extremely limited (probably less than 1% of the places in the city were listed) and somewhat dated.



3. Upon receiving my Eyewitness Travel Guide I was so drawn into the detail and ease of use in finding many interesting facts and hints. My wife and I have both taken turns looking through the guide and have been able to create an itinerary, map our routes, and find places of interest and things we want to see. Everything is in an easy to understand format. There were things we found in the book that we had no idea were an option on our upcoming honeymoon. Traveling to a place you have never been to can be very intimidating but I can honestly say that after receiving this little gem of a reference tool my wife and I are even more excited about our trip.
   
   Jason S.
   St Cloud, FL



4. I must say that this guide was exactly what I needed, but also I must confess that another thing came up since I have been traveling to Europe for some time now. I didn't realize or wasn't even thinking about travel insurance?? I mean we all have insurance, that covers us while we are in the US, but not for traveling abroad. I recently planned a second trip to Germany, but wasn't sure if my insurance company policy would take care of minor details in my policy for things I am not sure I have thought about. I am not saying I might or might not be covered, but I need peace of mind when it comes to my family. I then called my HR to find out general things about traveling abroad and "What would happen if" scenario's. I wasn't going to read my lengthy policy, even if I did I wouldn't understand the legal double-talk anyway not being a lawyer and all.
   
   My HR told me everything would be ok, and I shouldn't worry. But some thing in the back of my mind said call again and asked the same questions to see if the results would be the same from another Representative, to my surprise, it was. Ok then, not feeling a warm feeling of confidence in my HR responses. I didn't have much time to keep doing the research, so I looked up travel insurance and started to focus my attention on getting some basic package to cover me and family while we were abroad. There are a lot to choose from, but again this became confusing. So I came across www.securemytravelonline.com which had an aggregate of different well known insurance companies. I choose AIG with a basic plan and the rest was history. Also I didn't know you can insure your travel and luggage also in case of theft, flight cancellation etc. I thought I would share something from one avid traveler to the next. Overall a GREAT Guide and I have bought another copy for my friend. Paris is in my opinion the most beautiful city in the WORLD...period.
   
   Take care.
   Carl>



5. We have just returned from Spring Break in Paris and the "Paris: Eyewitness Travel Guide" was our guidebook for our trip. Of course, the photo illustrations in any DK book are always impressive, and since I always like to see where I am going and what is to see there without having to Google everything, that was an obvious plus with this book. I must admit that II do not really think about this particular book as a guidebook for getting in-depth information about places; when I want that sort of information I get a guidebook at the place (only thing I bought on the trip were guidebooks and postcards). In practical terms this guidebook functioned as our menu for the trip, allowing us to see what was available and when you could visit, which was crucial because visiting hours change based on the month and the day (my biggest piece of advice based on this trip is that if you can go see the Louvre and the Musee d'Orsay at night--Wednesday and Thursday respectively--you will enjoy them a lot more without the massive crowds during the day).
   
   For me the best part of this guide book ended up being the maps. Paris is gridded out in 18 maps in the back of the book and for each region of the city there is a general map of the entire area with "Sights at a Glance" marked along with metro and train stations. Add to the mix the Paris Metro and Regional Express Railway (RER) map inside the back cover, and we found it incredibly easy to find things. We got a 5-day Metro pass and had the fortune of our hotel being right down the street from the Montparnasse Bienvenile station, which was the intersection of several metro lines (plus linked to a train station which allowed us to go to Chartres and be back by 1 in the afternoon). Except for a bus tour/river cruise the first night and a side trip to Versailles, we did not have our trip planned out. We had a list of things we wanted to see and each day would pick a starting point and work out our other options as we went along. These maps were great for making that relatively easy. Nor did we feel that we were restricted to the restaurants in our area because we were able to use our maps to head off into the night and find them.
   
   The only exception would be the maps of the Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise and Cimetiere du Montparnassem because they were not extremely helpful in trying to find several of the graves I was trying to track down. Those of Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison are easy to find because there are also several people standing around them, but finding those of Moliere, Sarah Bernhardt, and Samuel Becket were much harder. The guide does provide tiny icons representing what the graves actually look like, but the locations can be troublesome, especially when the graves are not right on a walkway. But there are detailed maps for Pere Lachaise and signs at the entrances that you can photograph with your digital camera and reference as you walk about (courtesy of your magic zoom button).
   
   I bought the book a year before our trip, when my impromptu suggestion that we go to Paris for Spring Break was derailed by the lack of a current passport. So there is a minor concern that information is not totally current. On the one hand the Musee de l'Orange with Monet's water lily series was open, but the one place my wife wanted to go, the restaurant atop La Samaritaine, was derailed because the department store was closed. As long as you suspect that these sort of things are always going to happen (I felt sorry for the law students visiting the Louvre to discover that the Code of Hammurabi was not on display), you should be able to roll with these punches. Final word of advice regarding this particular guidebook: Make sure that you have a purse or a coat with pockets large enough to accommodate the peculiar not quite "pocket" size of this guide.

5 comments about Quiet Corners of Paris.

1. I will keep my review uncomplicated, like this book. There is a lot of information packed into this little book. Instead of focusing on the usual tourist sights, the author points out some of the beautiful, quaint parks, gardens and museums. The book also shows other out of the way places that the usual travel books don't. With the exception of 1 site (Musee Eugene Delacroix), all the sights shown are free to the public. If you are going to visit Paris, this is a great little guide book when searching for different places to see. If you want to go to Paris some day, this is a great book to dream by. It's packed with beautiful pictures. I just loved it!



2. A very interesting small book that details some of the hidden places in Paris. A joy for those who have "Paris on the Brain".



3. I've been to Paris countless times and never knew about many of the hidden corners and little parks that are featured in this book. I can't wait to return to explore them. I loved this little book.



4. This is a sweet little book. I wish I'd had it when I lived in Paris. It reveals many wonderful quiet spots, places for picnics and contemplation, and peace in that busy city. As a tourist to Paris, you probably won't value it as much--you'll want to be out in the busy, soaking it all up. But for anyone who lives in Paris, or is going to spend a long time there, I'd recommend it. And for those of us who just like to read about Paris, in between visits, it's a great book, well written and warm.



5. I bought this book based on previous reviews. It is a wonderful little book with lovely photographs. I plan to use it to plan my next trip to Paris. The fact that all of the places mentioned are free to the public , is an added plus for travelers.

5 comments about Hungry for Paris: The Ultimate Guide to the City's 102 Best Restaurants.

1. Paris is an easy mark for all the hacks in the world. I know, I lived in Paris for 20 years, and read countless
   "guide books" that were nothing more then re-cycled press releases and re-hashed blurbs stolen from other
   guide books. But this author, Alec Lobrano, is the rare combination of a great food and restaurant expert and a great writer. Though it has lots of up to date practical information, this book's real pleasure is as a bed-side literary journey into the heart and soul of Paris' foodie culture. It's the real deal, and I'll bet even Alec's anglophone French readers would agree. Even if you're not planning a trip to Paris, well worth the read for any
   Francophile day-dreamer. It leaves me hungry for more, and I'll be looking for Lobrano's next book, no matter what the subject.



2. I loved this book, and recommend it to any food lover who is either planning or dreaming about dining out in Paris.
   
   Alec Lobrano is a superb writer and a well-seasoned gourmand, who shares his love and knowledge of delicious French cuisine and great chefs in his own inimitable style. He takes you on a first-class tour inside the best restaurants in Paris as if you were his dinner companion, and lets you taste and experience, albeit vicariously, its finest French and international cuisines and the perfect wines to enjoy with each sampling. .
   
   This book reads like a autobiographical novel, filled with charming, and often amusing, short stories chronicling this world famous gourmet's earliest memories of "eating anything specifically described as French, - the éclairs my mother bought at the A&P supermarket in Westport, CT,... long soggy pastries shaped like hot dog rolls" and "heat-and-serve" frozen croissants, to the canned Vichyssoise , French toast, and beef burgundy stews she made at home, to his savory descriptions of his first experience at age 11, in a real French restaurant, Le Charles V, on the east side of Manhattan, which made him "rabidly anxious to get at some more French food."
   
   Lobrano chronicles his first trips to France with his family and his adolescent awakening to the gastronomic joys of French cuisine, - and the development of his palate as he "ascended the pyramid of French gastronomy and discovered some spectacular food at its higher altitudes," and finding in the end - or at the top of his list - that "it is bistro food, or rustic cooking with deep roots in the various regional kitchens of France, that remains the blessedly eternal bedrock of the French kitchen."
   
   Like a chef, Lobrano describes the ingredients, the preparations, the cooking and serving of the most favored, and simplest, meals of the French people, and also takes us out to dine at the most expensive, moderate, and least expensive restaurants where good French food is always served. His stories about chefs and French celebrities are written with an elegant style of one who has been invited to all the best parties in Paris.
   
   Hungry for Paris is not just a guide book for dining out in Paris, but a veritable masterpiece on the history and culture of French cuisine,
   
   This is a classic!



3. I bought this book for a trip to Paris based on a very positive Washington Post review. I bought it to use as a Parisian restaurant guide; I did not find it very useful at all. It is more like a travel essay than a restaurant guide. If you want to experience Parisian restaurants without actually going there, this book may be for you. But if you are planning a trip to Paris and want a restaurant guide, don't buy this book. The author spends a lot of time describing diners who were at the restaurant while he was there. Also, he includes restaurants whose food he found "good" or merely "better-than-average." I had expected to find reviews of 100 restaurants with excellent food -- after all, there are probably thousands of such restaurants in Paris -- but a lot of the reviews in this guide did not seem to be of restaurants the author recommended. I guess to be fair some of the essays are interesting, but I would have preferred more focus on the restaurants and their food, rather than on the author's experiences in eating at these restaurants.



4. Although I hadn't had a plan to revisit Paris so soon..this book made me want to jump on the next plane and visit quite a number of the restaurants Mr. Lobrano talks about. I delighted in reading his descriptive ancedotes before getting down to the "in a word" and "don't miss". Anyone can write a basic review of a restaurant. Mr. Lobrano's style and voice made me feel like he was speaking directly to me as an old friend, as if he were handing me his personal notes and steering me to the places the average tourist would most certainly miss. If I couldn't be so lucky to have Mr. Lobrano accompany me to dinner, I would most definitely savor his suggestions as if he were my guardian food angel over my shoulder! His creation in "Hungry For Paris" is a masterpiece.



5. I just returned home from Paris and went to three recommended restaurants. They were all great and reasonable despite the sinking dollar. I liked trying the house wines which were a great cross-section of wines I didn't know and now I do! I also stopped ordering bottled water. Loved Astier, Bistro Paul Bert, Le Petit Pontoise. Alexander has a website where he reviews Parisian restaurants www.hungryforparis.com. Check it out, because it's also a great resource.

5 comments about Rick Steves' Paris 2008 (Rick Steves).

1. I've lived in Paris and visited the city on countless occaisions - and I contantly see Americans in their new white tennis shoes traipsing round the city with a copy of Rick Steve. It's obviously a popular guide and does a great job of showing you how to be a tourist in the city.
   
   Buy a different guide book like the Rough Guide to Paris or Lonely Planet and then you won't be in a restaurant with a whole load of other Americans!



2. I bought this book on a recommendation from a friend, and it was the primary book we used once we landed in Paris. We had several other books, too, but they simply didn't have the level of detail and were not organized as intelligently for how you would actually want to spend your day. We left them in our apartment as we set out on our daily adventures.
   
   We have two children, ages 8 and 12, and we wanted to see major sights. But we are experienced travelers who also enjoy getting off the track when possible. Rick Steves gave us insights on both -- how to see things like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame with the least hassle, but also less-known street markets and pet shops.
   
   My only criticism is that the book, like all other travel books I've seen, greatly underestimates the time that one would spend at a place if one really wants to see it. We spent 2x to 3x as long at things as Steves suggested, such as the Rodin Museum and Cluny Museum.



3. Having just returned from a visit to France, we found this guide to be invaluable. Rick Steves may come across as a bit dweeby on television, but his books are remarkable. This one is packed with terrific information that is well organized and easy to find. For instance, he gives you a useful chart of many of Paris's major museums with information about what days they're closed, the hours, etc. There is information about the subway system and transportation as well as hotel and restaurant listings by arrondisement, walking tours of various neighborhoods and museums, and practical information about holidays, language, etc. When we were headed out the (hotel) door and travelling light, this is the book I'd carry. Well worth the price and highly recommended.



4. A great book on visiting Paris. Highly recommended. Rick Steves helps to de-mystify are very large and complex city. I have been to Paris a couple of times before - both times without much preparation. This book will save you a full day lost to confusion. Buy it and read it.



5. We ran into so many people with this book. It made our trip so much easier. We used this as a guide and wouldn't think of going anywhere without one of these!

1 comments about Clotilde's Edible Adventures in Paris.

1. This guide is just perfect for a foodie. Clotilde not only provides suggestions for all types of restaurants, she goes even further to give information on every food-related aspect of a vacation in Paris. With this book we will now be able to shop the best farmers' markets we otherwise might have missed. We're looking forward to experiencing the different neighborhood streets and markets, each with their distinct characteristics. We also now know the very best bakeries and shops for chocolate, pastries, candy, ice cream, spices, cheese, specialty food items, cured meats, prepared foods, fish, gourmet products, tea, coffee, wine, books, cookware, tableware, and even food shows. There are also great tips on French phrases and customs that will allow us to enjoy our trip to the fullest. This is the only guide of its kind.
   
   Although comprehensive, I only wish there was more. However, that would probably just require additional and lesser suggestions. If we asked a friend for recommendations, this is just the guide we would want. Unlike most guides, there is not a long list of lackluster destinations taking up space with descriptions of why they are not recommended. Only recommended spots are listed, which is all we really need and allows the book to be a good size and easily referenced.
   
   Clotilde boils down the city to its essence, providing only the best information in a well-organized format. The book is a good size to carry around. There is also more content on Clotilde's blog. We can't wait to put all of this information to good use in a few months when we're in Paris!

5 comments about Streetwise Paris Map - Laminated City Street Map of Paris, France - with integrated metro map including lines and stations.

1. If you are a tourist this map may be adequate but for finding your way around Paris it is a disaster. Entire neighborhoods are completely left out.



2. This map came with us every day as we walked around Paris. It was very easy to orient ourselves when opening the map because of the colored pictures of landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower. The laminated format is a must with Paris's frequent sprinkles as well as it makes it much easier to handle in the wind than a paper map. While Streetwise does have the Metro stations marked on the street map and does have a separate Metro map showing all the routes, I found the Metro map in Frommer's Frommer's Paris 2008 (Frommer's Complete) easier to read.



3. People stopped us and asked if they could use our map because it looked so much better then theirs, and it was!!!!!!!!!! Won't go anywhere without one of these!!!!!!!!!



4. This map was by my side the whole 10 days in Paris and I pulled it out constantly! I love the lamination and heavy duty construction. The only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars is because the most northern, southern & eastern sections of Paris seem to be missing from the map. I would prefer the map to have the whole complete city, including a tiny piece of the outskirts because there were times when I traveled to the outer edges of Paris and the map couldn't help me. But, I will say that the detail on this map is excellent! It was the only map we saw that had every little tiny street name on it which is very important in a crowded place like Paris. I highly recommend it!



5. We use Streetwise maps whenever possible when we travel and find them to be the best we've run across. I love the fact that they are sturdy and laminated and don't fall apart. They are clear and accurate. The Paris map has the Metro/RER insert which is handy when you want to travel light and don't need all the information of the full route maps.
   
   You can't go wrong.