[.ca] Bistros of Paris (ISBN 0060956887)

Don't go to Paris without it!:
Don't go to Paris without it! This book is a goldmine for anyone who likes to eat. I've spent many weeks in Paris on business and on holiday over the last twenty years. I used the previous edition of the Hamburger's book to select places to take my Parisian clients! They were impressed and surprised. The new book has some real finds; places favored by neighborhood residents or in-the-know foodies. One of my favorites is La Grille, a tiny place on an out of the way street where madam runs the front and monsieur is in the kitchen. I crave the turbot with beurre blanc sauce as I write this. The authors' knowledge of French cooking is extensive, covering the regional specialties. A nice thing about the way the book is written is that you don't have to be an expert on French food to understand it. Thanks to the clear and good descriptions of the food, I've tried many delicious dishes that I ordinarily would not have had the courage to order. The evaluations have always been on the mark. There are good descriptions of the décor and ambiance as well as of the food, so it is possible to select bistros to fit the occasion. The recommendations do not seem to be influenced by what's "in" at the moment, but only by what's good to eat. After reading this book it is inconceivable to me to wander about Paris blindly picking restaurants or asking the hotel desk clerk for a recommendation The layout of the book, listing places by arrondissement, makes it possible to choose a dinner spot near where I've spent the day. I also discovered that many bistro owners are aware of the book and are delighted when I tell them I learned about them from this book. Contrary to what some people say, it is possible to get a poor meal in Paris. But thanks to this book, it hasn't happened to me.

Best way to find a restaurant in Paris:
Having lived in Europe for several years, traveling to Paris hundreds of times, I've found this book to be the most reliable way to find an excellent restaurant while out and about. These people really know and appreciate French cuisine.

Don't buy this if you're vegetarian:
Bistros are great for meat eaters; book doesn't point out whether any of the listed bistros will accommodate non-meat eaters. Stay away if foie gras, pork knuckles, and tripe don't turn you on.