Customer Reviews

The Food Lover's Guide to Paris

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The book I received had many pages torn out. On top of that, most of the missing pages were from the section in which I had particular interest. A very disappointing product.

Ms Wells allows you to prepare for a gastronomic trip to Paris.
Her essential information regarding types of eateries, locations, speciality foods, terminolgy and ofcourse understanding tipping is highly descriptive and beneficial.
Choosing restaurants and food styles are of personal taste and may not reflect that of Ms Wells', but the guidelines established in this book provide many options. One can dine at a numerous amount of bistros listed in this guide and understand their specialities and price ranges effectively.

As a person who has travelled to Paris, many restaurant guides are available and recommendations are abundant. I regret not having this book on my last two trips but will definitely visit some of the eateries listed in this book on my next trip.

I brought this book to Paris along with 4 others, and although had high hopes, I found it frustrating. It didn't provide enough choice within a geographic area, and with respect to our one "big night" out, led us to a disastrous, expensive disappointment. Alcazar(p. 51) had miserable service (she had billed it "exquisite") and a meal that had to go back. We did much better following Rick Steves' recommendations, and our own noses. If it's the third or fourth book on your list for Paris, as it was for us, save your money and the aggravation of carting the hefty thing around. It's not worth it.

On our first visit to Paris I wanted everything to be perfect. Thank-You Patricia Wells for guiding my husband and I to the best spots (in our price range) for pastries, lunch, dinner and chocolates. Some of my favorites: Boulangerie - Kayser, Restaurant - L'Epi Dupin, Chocolates - Chocotruffe.

I agree with the reviewer who describes Ms. Wells as overly generous to certain bistrots, brasseries and cafes, and I would strongly suggest getting a second opinion before choosing one based on her recommendation alone. That said, with respect to high end restaurants (i.e. 1-star+), she's generally dead on.

Although I find her engaging, I have to admit my experience with Patricia Wells' guide books and recipes has been less than foolproof. Although this book contains a wealth of useful details, in my experience she is far too generous with many mediocre restaurants and I have had several meals I considered downright bad based on this book. Perhaps a part of the problem is that, unlike most restaurant reviewers, Ms. Wells is well-known and well-recognized among Parisian proprietors. She loves them, they love her. As a result, I suspect the service - and in some cases the food - are often a notch or so better for her than for the average patron.

3/3/03 I Purchased "The Second Edition" of The Food Lover's Guide to Paris in May,1990 from a [local] Book store.....It not only gives insight into Paris(customs and costs) ,by Paris's equivalent to our USA zip codes locations(e.g 8th and 9th Arrondissements:location of Arc de Triomphe),but also by food specialty shops with a French/English Food Glossary; and two index alphabetical and food recipe).Patricia Welles's 4th Edition can only enhance a 'true masterpiece",which I found her 2nd Edition to be. Whether you're traveling or not ,you'll pick up the book just to read or use some of the many recipes in its contents.3/3/02 abj

This is the only guide that I brought with me to Paris for my 2 months stay there. Here's what I like about this book:

1. The food dictionary on the back! Eventhough I can speak/write/read some French that I don't need to carry regular dictionary around, the food terms sometimes confusing and this book has an excellent section on it.

2. The recipes are worth trying. I tried her recipes for madeleine and financiers, both turned out excellent.

3. Ms. Wells not only give restaurant guides but also specialty shops, bakery, etc. Some of the recommendations are well secluded from mainstream tourists. A trully excellent find.

Here's what I don't like about this book:

1. Many of the restaurants featured are expensive, especially for 2 months stay in Paris. I think there's plenty of cheap and reasonably good food that I could find. I used Ms. Well's recommendation for weekends/special occasions.

2. I think this book is a bit too heavy/thick to carry around.

I just returned from Paris and found this book to be very helpful but a bit heavy to tote around. Perhaps the future edition could be divided into 2 volumes - one for the right bank and one for the left. I was extremely pleased with a restaurant called Maceo on rue des Petits-Champs - wonderful food but disappointed with Le Grizzli- horrible service.

My husband and I left for Paris with the usual Zagat's and Michelin's . . . a friend had given us Ms. Well's _Food Lover's Guide_ . . . I argued for taking it; my husband thought it too big and heavy. Since I was the person who had read it cover to cover twice, I won. After three days, we left Zags and Michs on the shelf in the closet, and consulted Ms. Wells constantly. It helped at every moment, from the first baguette in the morning, til the last cafe at night--and certianly in between, distinguishing between all of the wonderful food, kitchen, and food/gift shops. We will not go back to Paris without it.

In fact, we will likely read it all year, savoring our memories, and getting ready for next years' trip!