Paris

Le Grenier de Notre Dame • Vegetarian • 18, rue de la Bucherie -75005 • Map
Le Grenier is really close to Notre Dame (hence the name) in the 7th arrondissement. From the map, it looks easy to get to, but the address is a little difficult to find since the streets in Paris are so circular. Or maybe it was just the direction we were walking from. Anyway, we had a great dinner at the crowded little tables. It's a pretty informal place, the menu has a ton of choices, and the waiter spoke English to us.

Macéo Restaurant and Bar • Ominvorous • 15 Rue des Petits Champs -75001 • Map
As far as location goes, Maceo's was a bit further away from the neighborhoods that Drew and I usually visit. However, it was really awesome to be served a three-course vegetarian meal at a really nice, dressy, Parisian restaurant.

Even though the restaurant is not specifically vegetarian, they will serve you a three or four-course vegetarian meal. It is the place that I found to taste most like what I imagined to be traditional French food. Their web site talks of a "green menu" for vegetarians, but that menu includes fish. When we went, we told them that we don't eat fish, and it wasn't a problem. Our server spoke to us in both French and English. There were a lot of French customers, but also other nationalities.

Piccolo Teatro • Vegetarian • 9 Rue des Ecouffes - 78004 • Map
Piccolo is located in the Marais, a really cool little part of Paris that we only recently explored for the first time (I know, we are behind the times). Funny thing about this one is that we must have visited it about three times when they weren't open. I am thinking our biological clocks were off, but just make sure you know the hours before you go.

The food here is wonderful. Actually, of all the places listed on this page, I think we had our best meal at Piccolo. They serve organic wine and a wide range of "gratins." It's a small place, maybe six tables, and we went around 7 p.m. with no problem getting a table. Our server was a student who spoke at least three languages. The customers were mostly American.

Punjab • Omnivorous • 26 Avenue de Tourville - 75007 • Map
If you don't want to eat yet another tomato and frommage sandwich while visiting Napolean's tomb or the Rodín Museum, Punjab is very convenient. It is a romantic and warm Indian and Pakistani restaurant, near École Militaire. The menu has all the traditional vegetarian items you would find at any Indian restaurant in the U.S. The French twist is that you are given complimentary kir at the beginning of your meal. The wait staff speaks Indian, French and English.

Rue Cler • Market • 7th arrondissement on the left bank of the Seine
This market near the Eiffel Tower and Invalides is a great place to go for the best Parisian lunch of all - wine, bread, cheese and fresh fruit. This market is really close to where we like to stay. I wouldn't say that it is a "destination" market, but if you are in the neighborhood or if you are planning to go to the Eiffel Tower, you should definitely stop here first to pick up some food. There are bakeries with every kind of treat you could imagine, a chocolatier, a frommagerie and a couple of small grocers.