Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

Oh, and definitely visit Rue Cler, a pedestrian only market street. It's close by to where you are staying (near the Eiffel Tower) and really cute. And there are a lot of good places to eat around there, some pricier than others. But again, if you just buy food for a picnic on the Rue Cler, then you can walk over to the lawn (Esplanade des Invalides) that is really pretty and quiet.
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=paris%2C%20map&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl

Auberge Nicolas Flamel - Located in the home of Nicolas Flamel (from Harry Potter fame - creator of the Sorcerer's Stone) the oldest home in Paris in the 4th, near Les Halles.
L'Escure very inexpensive bistro fare near the Jardin de Tuileries in the 1st.
Angelina - a Salon de The (tea salon, which means continuous service and no expectation that you order 3 courses), across from the Tuileries in the 1st. Best thick hot chocolate, wonderful pastries, light meals and lovely breakfast.

Berthillon - considered the best ice cream in the world, on the Ile St. Louis in the 4th.
Cafe Verlet - some of the best coffee in paris, in the 1st near The Louvre.

I'm in Paris right now, and I never want to leave.....
For steak-frites you MUST go to Le Relais de l'Entrecote in St Germain des Pres (20 rue St Benoit, 75006, just behind the famous Café des Flores). Steak-frites is ALL they do - there is no menu. You are seated, you order some wine & water, you are served a delicious green salad with a mustardy vinaigrette and walnuts, you are asked how you like your steak, and that's it! The steak comes sliced with their "famous" sauce (the recipe is a closely guarded secret) and crispy hot frites. Just when you think you've had enough, the rest of your meal comes so that you can enjoy piping hot fresh frites, more of the delicious sauce and more steak. Lovely! Some Parisian friends took me, and they are regulars here because it is soooooo good.
Bon appetit!

P.S.S. I forgot to mention that Laduree has three outposts, one in the 8th on the Champs Elysees, which is the location I blogged about.

@Madelyn The real question is, how have I managed to write so little about Paris?

@vegemite -damn I want to go to Paris right now for steak frites! YUM.

@lambowner - I went to Paris in the spring of 2002 and I found most waiters to know a little bit of English and most places had English menus. However it never hurts to make the effort even if it's just je voudrais then point to the menu item. And don't order water with ice, it's just not done in France.

@lambowner - Great question! Here are some basic tips on dining, communicating and dealing with waiters in Paris:

1) Most waiters in Paris speak at least enough English to get by. The key with the French is manners, and your fervent attempt at speaking French before resorting to English (I talk about this some on the Paris Page of my blog).

2) Always address the waiter (or anyone else) as soon as you see them by saying "bonjour Monsieur/Madame/Mademoiselle" first, before saying or asking anything else. If you don't, it's rude, and they will be rude in return. Most Americans don't realize this.

3) If the waiter gives you an English Menu, ask for one in French. The menus often differ, and you will want the true menu, not the watered down one.

4) Buy a french food menu decoder. I used Eating and Drinking in Paris (this was the best investment I made). Hold it discreetly in your lap to help translate the menu. As I said, most waiters speak English, but you will want the decoder.

5) When it comes to steak in Paris, supposedly they always cook it on the rare side - considerably so, but I believe many waiters modify this for Americans. (Every tip you need for ordering steak is in the book I referenced above, btw.) Keep in mind that the beef in France is very lean, and on the tough side. Although, the steak I had at Chez Julien was surprisingly tender, so there are exceptions. But honestly, unless you are dead set on steak, I would order just about anything else while you are in Paris. Steak tartare on the other hand, is wonderful in Paris, though it resembles ground meat more than the small cubed style you see here in the U.S.

6) In Paris, pommes frites are traditionally fried in duck fat, though not all restaurants make it that way. Your best bet is to visit the spots recommended for great frites, since not all frites are created equal. Of course, you can always ask the waiter how they are prepared.

7) This may go without saying, but dress well - no sneakers, sweats, etc. (you may already know this, but many Americans don't). If you wear a scarf - no matter the weather - you will fit in. It's weird, but it's true. Wear very nice shoes- always. (I have a few tips about attractive walking shoes on my blog, if you need help with that. Keep in mind you will put in many miles a day on your feet, so leave the strappy shoes behind.)

8) Don't let them smell intimidation, Act like you are just - slightly - more important than the waiter, and that you are slightly bothered by them. Try not to smile - it's a dead give-away that you are American.

9) If you follow the steps above, and say your merci's and s'il vous plais', waiters will almost always be charming and accommodating.

I'm happy to answer any other questions you have to help your trip be a smashing success, whether here, or on my blog.

Cheers,

~ Paula

I forgot to mention Le Coupole on Blvd. Montparnasse in the 15th, near Tour Montparnasse. Great frites, steak tartare, fois gras, oysters, etc.

It is a lovely Belle Epoque brasserie that was frequented by Picasso, Hemingway, Henry Miller, and Dali, as well as Josephine Baker, Kiki of Montparnasse and others back in the day. It is a gorgeous brasserie, frequented by both Parisians and savvy travelers.

You could combine it with a trip to Tour Montparnasse to enjoy some of the best views in Paris.

Cheers,

~ Paula

Just in case anyone checks back to this talk, I am here to say, we had a fabulous time in Paris, from June 1-June 11. As to the food you were all right on, thank you for the tips! My college french and your tips helped us eat well in Paris. We ate at Le Dome for my 50th BD on June 9, awesome food, and awesome prices. We tried to go to Briezh Cafe, since it was recommended by two of you, and a guide book, but at 8:00 p.m. in the rain, it was closed, and someone rushed into our taxi! Sob. So hard to get that taxi at that time.

Then we tried Le Relais de l'Entrecote in St Germain des Pres (20 rue St Benoit, 75006, just behind the famous Café des Flores) on our last day in Paris, at 2:30 p.m., and were turned away. Too late for lunch. My husband was soooo annoyed, but we went to Cafe Fores and returned to Le Relais de l'Entrecote that night (June 10) and called for reservations, but they would not accept them. We were seated within 5 minutes at 9 p.m., but by 10 p.m. there was a wait. Really great recommendation. For two of us, with a 14euro bottle of wine the total was only 65euro (about $100) which was cheap compared to our many other meals. But the meal was fantastic, and just as you described, Prices are so steep in Paris. Stopped in at the Ritz for a cocktail and one martini is $60! Opted for the $20 beer.

We also ate at (in order) Le Royal Tour (near Eiffel), Le Louchebem Cafe in Les Halle (good for me, bad for husband who thought andouille is the same in France as in Louisiana, (it's not sausage, it's cow stomach, and he ate it all to preserve his dignity), Pizza Vesivio (twice, a good chain for pizza), Publicis Drugstore on the Champs-Elysees, Le Deux Palais (cheese only) near Sainte Chappelle, Cafe Central on Rue Cler (yes and picnicking foods for later, good call, we had a tiny fridge!), Cafe Madeleine, while shopping, La Lorainne for oysters, just up the street from our hotel, (the rest of the meal is not at all edible), Brasserie Lipp (very historic, good and pricey food, a greatly diverse group of fellow diners sitting seemingly in my lap), Saint Joseph's Italian in the Marais district, because we were lost after not getting into Briezh, and finally Le Dome. Lots of sandwiches in between. jambon et emmental. you know the drill!

Merci, mon amis!