Customer Reviews

Sandra Gustafson's Great Eats in Paris

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the third edition of Sandra Gustafson's book Cheat/Great Eats in Paris I bought. I still find it to be incredibly valuable. Look, if you have 50 Parisian friends and know Paris perfectly and/or what top caliber - high price restaruants this book is NOT for you. If, however, you are like me, you've noticed you can pay lots of money at a brasserie and get mediocre food, get great food but at prohibitively expensive prices, or go to places where attitude seems more important that the food itself. This book has never steered me wrong: You can get great meals at reasonable prices. The truth is, sometimes you WANT a good pizza parlor or sandwich joint if you are on a budget. But you also have the "big splurge" list and many restaurants where you can get really good food at much less than other places. I find her descriptions to be very accurate and honest - I've never gotten to a hamburger joint expecting fine dining.
Is this book for absolute conaisseurs of Parisian restaurants? No. Is it for people who want really good food and don't want to pay double if it is not necessary - YES!

One word of warning: Do call ahead before going to then restaurants. The only bad experiences we've had were when the place had changed owners/the menu/price after the latest edition had come out

We used this book in Paris in 2001 and found it immensely useful. I'm a vegetarian and we were traveling on a very tight budget. This book helped me find restaurants that had vegetarian-friendly menu items, that were nearby, and that were in our price range.

The entries are detailed, and are arranged by arrondissement. Each entry gives the name, address, phone number, price range, hours, and whether reservations are recommended. She also notes whether English is spoken and if so, how fluently. She describes the ambience, the service, and the type of food, often listing several menu items as examples. She also writes about her favorite menu items as well as those that weren't as good in her opinion.

The book covers breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee/tea/internet cafes, etc. and includes all types of food, from classic French cooking to Italian, Thai, American, etc.

I do think, though, that this book may appeal most to budget travelers... although the name has changed from Cheap Eats to Great Eats, the philosophy remains the same: good food at great prices. If you want restaurants with Michelin stars, you won't find them in this book.

I happened across a copy of Great Eats Paris by accident. I was in love the first time I opened it. I was going to Paris a week later and when I arrived, I never left without it! My previous trips to Paris have always been hit or miss when it came to eating out. However after 10 days I never ate at one bad restaurant, except of course for a recommendation from a friend. Of course, those that go for Italian instead of French food in PARIS should be disapointed.

I just returned from Paris, and this book was invaluable. We were able to find great restaurants in every neighborhood we visited. Only one was a dud (I believe ownership must have changed.) The rest were wonderful, and learning about Stoher's Pastry alone was worth the price of the book! This was my fourth trip to Paris and we've never eaten so well. I highly recommend this book.

For almost two decades I have been guided by this book and its earlier editions. In quantity and quality I have loved Sandra Gustafson's choices. I miss the "Cheap Eats" of her earlier years, but she still suggests many restaurants that have excellent food at reasonable prices. Her detail work is great: days open, hours open, Metro stop, menu suggestions, etc. To drop a name, I recall mentioning a favorite "Cheap Eat" to Claudette Colbert, with whom I was working at the time. "Oh, darling," she said, "that's one of my favorite restaurants, too." This book is not for diehard foodies. It's for real people looking for truly memorable meals in Paris.

We used this book to seek out recommended inexpensive (relatively speaking) eateries and have not been disappointed with a single one. The books is very well organized, the descriptions are thorough enough to give one an idea of the cuisine, athmosphere and price ranges, and coupled with "What Food I am" menu translation book, Gustafson's book made our dining experience in Paris the best yet. I would not travel to Paris without it again.

I just got back from Paris and used this book quite a bit. I found it almost as hit or miss as if I had randomly chosen restaurants. Unfortunately it seemed most were mediocre at best. Your best bet for restaurant finding - get way off the tourist track and find places that are very busy with French people in them. Then make your reservations for the next night. Saves you hauling one more tour book around too.

This is by far the greatest series of books for finding reasonably priced, great quality restaurants and hotels. I have used Sandra's restaurant and hotel books for Paris, London and Italy. I was extremely happy with each and everyone of the books. Sandra provides detailed descriptions of the restaurants and hotels including the best rooms to stay in and exactly what to order. I am going to Paris for the 5th time and I am purchasing the revised Great Eats book (formally titled cheap eats). I would not go without the book. The book has helped us find restaurants that very few toursits frequent. I highly recommended these books if you're not looking to spend a fortunture on meals and lodging.

I don't know just how much you need a book on Paris restaurants that only reviews certain ones. That's what this one does. We found we were rarely near one of the reviewed restaurants and had to decide on nearby or convenient places on our own. Much to our surprise, we were almost always happy with where we ate. Plus, eating was secondary to our other interests, such as museums, parks, etc. But, if eating is your focus, then this book is a must. She's objective and quite thorough. And, there is a lot of variety. Of course, as you will find out, there is no such thing as a good "Cheap" restaurant in Paris. Be prepared to spend some money.

Gustafson's book can be helpful to most travelers. Besides listing interesting spots to eat on a budget,she includes in-depth info about French cuisine,dining customs,and manners, as well as decent maps.With all of the new airline weight restrictions,it would be even better if it was a smaller size.