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I GREW UP AROUND 18TH AND ASHLAND

THERE USE TO BE AN ITALIAN RESTRAUNT ON THE NORTH/EAST CORNER OF ASHLAND AND 18TH NAMED
DV'S PIZZA ATTACHED TO FOREMOST LIQUORS
ON THAT CORNER.

THIS WAS DURING THE 50'S AND EARLY 60'.

DOES ANY ONE KNOW WHEN IT CLOSED DOWN OR IF IT RELOCATED.

A MUST PLACE TO EAT IS ON 1079 TAYLOR AL'S BEEF.

THE COMBO BEEF/ITALIAN SAUSAGE IS A MUST WITH GREEN PEPPERS/GIADANER AND DIPPED IN THE GRAVY. A MUST.PLACE TO EAT.

U MUST GO TO HALSTED AND 12TH STREET MAXWELL FOR THE OUTSIDE EATERIES ON A SUNDAY. ALL KINDS OF GOODIES AND GREAT BLUES MUSIC ON THE STREETS

I AM NOW IN SAN ANTONIO TEXAS, BUT STILL SEE MY CUBS ON CABLE TV WGN. BEST EATS CHICAGO

I'm a flight attendant and go to Paris weekly. My absolute favorite bistrot is called Baribal, is not charming, and has the most magnificent food with incredibly low prices. They have gargantuan portions; some favorites are veal with roquefort sauce, lamb kidneys with mustard sauce, duck magret,lardon salad. Pasteur metro stop. Good markets are Poncelet Market (Terne metro stop)and it's not open Mondays; Roosevelt Market, also not open Mondays. L'ami Jean in the 15th on Malar is fantastic; just down a few doors is L'affriole, fantastic menu that changes almost as often as L'ami Jean. If you go to L'ami Jean make sure someone gets their signature rice pudding; you won't be disappointed. Another good restaurant is called Le Relais de Venise close to Congress. It's just off the Champs Elysees and has no menu. Patrons start to queue around 6:45pm for the first seating, and the only thing they serve is entrecote of beef with a mysterious tarragon sauce, hand-cut fries, and a simple salad. Seconds are automatically doled out without question, and you will want seconds. All that's required it how rare you enjoy your steak and what you'd like to sip. Have fun...

Oh Blackbird, Avec and Schwa. I forgot to mention those earlier.

Thanks for all the great suggestions..I am taking notes!

Loco: I am staying in Place de republique..familiar with the area?

One of my favorites (very expensive) is Le Pré Catelan in the Bois de Boulogne. We've enjoyed some of our best meals in Paris there. Exceptional, both in terms of food quality and service (may start out a bit stuffy, but warms up quickly, and is ultimately friendly and flawless). It's a beautiful, old-fashioned room, and the ride through the Bois is lovely. Caveat: If you won't have a car, be prepared for a steep taxi fare, as one will have to be called for your return trip to the hotel (roundtrip charge).

A potentially important consideration: Many places still follow the tradition of closing down in August for the "national" vacation. It's certainly not as much of an issue as it used to be, but it's hardly uncommon. I strongly suggest you start calling/emailing now, if only to find out whether a place you're interested in will be open. And make reservations as far out as they're accepted for anyplace they're required -- now if possible. Those places that do remain open, and which are already difficult to get into, can be nearly impossible due to more limited options.

Where are you staying? If there's a concierge at your hotel, start working with him/her now. A good one can be invaluable. If you're using a travel agent, they can also be surprisingly helpful with restaurant bookings.

Have a great time! It's one of my favorite cities -- wish it were me going!

A great place in the St. Germain/Odeon area is the bistro Le Comptoir. They have incredible food that rivals some of the greatest restaurants in the city at extremely affordable prices (not just for Paris, but anywhere, considering what you get). It is a small charming bistro with outdoor seating (weather permitting) looking out onto the square. At lunch entrees hover in the 15-25 euro area and for dinner they have a changing prix fixe menu that, at least, last March would set you back around 50 euros a person. It's not cheap by any means, but considering the high quality of food offered, it is an awesome deal.

One note, Le Comptoir is not what one would call a secret and it is very very popular. At lunch either get their right at opening or go at off times (I went at 4 for a late lunch and got right in). Dinner is even harder because most of the reservations (which are necessary) are held for guests of the attached hotel. If you want to go for dinner, I would either stay at the hotel, or have the concierge of whatever hotel you are staying at call them around three months out. If that is too early to plan, you can call closer to the actual date and see if there are any cancellations that you might be able to snap up (particularly if it is raining that day) or if you are in the neighborhood (which has many good backup options) just stop by and check if there were any last minute cancellations. It is definitely worth it.