If you are looking for a great lunching opportunity then head to the Marais, in particular rue Vieille du Temple in the 4th. The street is probably my most favorite to walk down as it has an abundance of small shops, bistrots and brasseries. In the middle of once was exclusively the Jewish quarter it is now a true area of contrast being it is both the jewish and gay/lesbian district of Paris now. As you head up this great street from Rivoli, hang a right onto rue des Rosiers and welcome to a little falafel heaven, Chez Marianne’s. While actually on rue Hospitalières St Gervais, there is no doubt the lineup on a sunny day will stretch out onto Rosiers. Head inside right away and buy your tickets at cash, then head back out to wait for the ultimate in take out dining (oh and save 1 euro in the process). If you are like Mrs CWG you will be sure to have 3 or 4 dill pickles that tempt you at the take out stand, I am more partial to the hot peppers.

If you do not want falafel then head over to the Latin Quarter, aka the fifth and head to the famous ‘Mouf for some good ‘ol galettes (similar to a crêpe but cooked only on one side). Rue Mouffetard has a great many places that do galette and crêpes but my favorite is run by a couple of greek men (name of the place is something Greek), one of which can only be described as large nosed. Go with Jambon Fromage and you will not be disapointed. Then again, you can pretty much get a crêpe anywhere in Paris at street vendors, so when in doubt indulge in the Breton delicacy!

If you are looking for a cheap eats in Paris, one which will force you to chat with your neighbours and drink wine from a baby bottle, then look no further then the infamous Refuges des Fondues in the 18th. Just in the shadow of Sacré-Coeur lies this little gem popular with locals and the hosteling youth of the world. A throw back to the dirty old frenchmen days, chairs are pulled out slightly and women and helped over the communal table to sit on the bench while the rest of the crowd onlooks. Here you get two choices, ‘fromage ou viande?’ and ‘rouge ou blanc?’, and then you sit back and enjoy what may be the most entertaining non dinner-show you will ever experience. Even on the coldest of nights outside you will end up sweating and laughing till you can not eat any more fondue. The wine is very passable and if you can get over your Oedipus complex issues the baby bottle experience is actually fun. While not fine dining by any stretch you may end up putting this on your must do list for return visits.

Lastly, if you are looking for a place to go spend a few hours in the evening, listen to some good stories and music make a trek to the 6th and the dive bar known as ‘Le Dix’. Named after it’s number on the rue de l’Odéon, this sangria bar’s not lost it’s flair despite the recent changes to smoking inside bars/restaurants. Still lively with the student literary crowd you are sure to have at least a good time watching the people and sipping the easy going-down red concoction. If your french is decent, be sure to talk to the friendly barkeep Jean-Luc about politics, music or his ‘jardin’. A great little throw back to an earlier Paris hang-out bar.

Mrs CWG and I have returned and I will photograph and glaze over our wine purchases from our anniversary adventure, till then sip well!

Always packed, this restaurant will test the average North Americans personal space limits with it’s cramped tables. Once you have wedged yourselves in, start with the house mojitos and your journey is well on it’s way. Mrs CWG, not having had every piece of duck in France yet, dove into the apple/cinnamon canard tangine. I went with a lamb and prunes tangine that rivaled the Mrs. for quality and enjoyment.

As for the wine, do not be shy and try some North African reds that are featured here. We went with the 2007 Les Trois Domaines (Maroc) recommended to us by our neighbouring table and were rewarded with an intense fruit forward wine with a good balance and hint of spice. We finished off with some house tea poured into our tiny cups from a meter above to finish off a wonderful evening with panache. A great dining experience we recommend to all.