Chez Paul, Paris

This is truely a local dinner place in the old part of Paris and very small but the real deal. My son and I ordered ham shanks and it was great. The portion included the entire shank, bone and all and it was really different looking but quite delicious. Everyone tried something different and enjoyed it. We had a great dinner experience here and no complaints. Strongly recommend reservations to ensure a lovely evening off the tourest track.

In a fun, lively street, we loved the food - lamb and beef cooked to perfection, pureed potatoes to die for, good wine list etc etc. However, the service was truly abysmal. The tables next to us were left filthy throughout our meal, glasses were not cleared, meat juices were allowed to drip onto our laps while being served without a glance. They gave the impression they could not care less. A shame, because the food was prepared with such pride and care.

I spent a week or so in Paris a couple of years ago and this was easily one of my best dining experiences. The place is small. It's located off the beaten path in the Butte aux Cailles which is, from what the locals told me, about as close to 1950's Paris as you can find in the city. The place almost seems too cliche to be real. It's a classic French bistro. Very popular with the locals (always a good sign). I had the pot au feu which was excellent. The people I met there were some of the friendliest people that I've come across in my travels. I would highly recommend this place.