Paris Restaurants

Expense It

Bistro Le Diane at super-elegant Hotel Fouquets-Barriere (46 Avenue George V, 8e, +33-1-40-69-60-60; Fouquets-Barriere.com; fixed price menu ac;165) is one of several dining options at the chic hotel. It's exquisite and more formal than other eateries on premises. The French cuisine is modern and light. Bring those clients you want to impress and request seating on the patio.

Unique Opportunities

The coolest culinary incarnation in Paris has to be Le Kong (1 Rue du Pont Neuf, 1e; +33-1-40-39-09-00; Kong.fr; ac;10-34), the bar-restaurant gracing the top two stories of the Kenzo flagship store. The curious and sophisticated gather amidst pink and Plexiglas in the Philippe Starck-designed palace, with very distinctive furniture to accompany. Stunning city views and legendary attitude from staff also feature.

Your Dime

If you're more in the mood for a rendezvous instead of a meeting, Starcooker (32 Rue des Archives, 4e; +33-1-42-77-12-17; Starcooker.net; ac;11-16) is a comfy and hip place to meet for a meal or cocktail before painting the town. Low couches and numerous cushions in shades of violet and magenta make for a chilled-out atmosphere in the center of the Marais.

Breaking with convention, the "first hetero-friendly coffee shop in Paris," Stuart Friendly (16 Rue Marie Stuart, 2e; +33-1-42-33-24-00; StuartFriendly.com; ac;8-16) is a super-gay cafe in the hip Montorgueil quarter, near the Marais. This is more of a resting place for a snack than a destination for a full meal (except for brunch when the people-watching alone is worth waking up for). They have great fresh soups, salads, tarts, and meat and cheese platters, and you can bring your straight colleagues along.

Gay Plates

Le 3 (3 Rue Ste-Croix de la Bretonnerie, 4e; +33-1-42-74-71-52; LeTrois.com; ac;19-21) is a stylish (and extremely gay-popular) bistro deep in the heart of the Marais. Expect inventive creations alongside traditional French cuisine. Le 3's charming and cute waiters can help you navigate the menu and moderately extensive wine list.

Le Petit Picard (42 Rue Ste-Croix de la Bretonnerie, 4e; +33-1-42-78-54-03; ac;14-27) is a budget-pleasing bistro with a great cast of characters and the gayest decor you could ever expect. Target a seat near the naked Greek statue protruding through the wall. The usual clientele are gay men over 30 fueling up for a long night ahead at the popular gay bars in the area.