Product Description

Created by France's most respected food writer and critic, Gilles Pudlowski, the Pudlo Paris guide to restaurants, cafes, bars, and gourmet shops is now available in English for the first time in its 17-year history. The Pudlo is considered by discerning Parisians as the most informed, sophisticated, and up-to-date restaurant guide published today.

Organized by arrondissement, the guide describes almost 1,000 restaurants in every neighborhood of Paris, ranging from Grandes Tables–the paragons of the French culinary scene–to restaurants that give unusually good value for the price. The Pudlo also lists almost 300 bars, pubs, wine bars, tea salons, and cafes. And–a priceless bonus for the culinary traveler–descriptions of almost 300 specialty gourmet shops.

Gilles Pudlowski has singled out 21 of his personal favorites; 185 restaurants in settings of historical significance; 93 establishments he judges as giving especially good value for price; and 144 places where a meal costs less than 30 euros. You’ll also find a Listing of Establishments by Rating and an alphabetical index singling out establishments with terrace or garden, those open on Sunday, and those open past 11 PM.

Each review in the Pudlo is updated and rewritten annually by Mr. Pudlowski. The Little Bookroom will continue to be the English-language publisher worldwide for upcoming editions of Pudlo Paris as well as Pudlo France (to be published in March 2008).

In Pudlo Paris 2007-2008 you’ll find: reviews of 32 Grand Restaurants–the paragons of the city’s culinary scene; reviews of 965 Good Restaurants & Others–worthwhile venues in every neighborhood; and reviews of 41 of the top international restaurants.

Short profiles of 313 Shops selling:
Kitchenwares/Tabletop, Bread & Baked Goods, Wine, Cured Meat & Sausage, Chocolate, Candy/Sweets, Cutlery, Groceries, Cheese, Ice Cream, Fine Groceries, Books, Pastries, Fruit & Vegetables, Coffee, Regional Products, Prepared Food, Tea.

Descriptions of 281 casual venues throughout Paris (“Rendez-vous”):
Bars, Pubs, Wine Bars, Cafes, Creperies, Tea Salons, Brasseries.

And, prized for being the most up-to-date of the restaurant guides, 141 venues make their first appearance in Pudlo Paris 2007-2008.

Also noted: outdoor dining; open on Sunday; open after 11PM; children’s menus; air conditioning; and all prix fixe and a la carte prices.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #50995 in Books
• Published on: 2007-06-12
• Released on: 2007-06-12
• Original language: French
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 448 pages

Review
"For two recent glorious weeks ('I just got back from Paris and boy is my stomach tired!') I ate Paris well thanks to Pudlo. Pudlo is short for Gilles Pudlowski, a restaurant critic whose Pudlo Paris has long been a French treasure. The 2007-08 edition is the first to be translated into English, providing me with a handy guide to almost 1,000 restaurants." --Santa Barbara Independent

“If you are planning a trip to Paris, I would highly recommend Pudlo Paris, written by Frenchman Gilles Pudlowski. For the first time in its 17 year history it has been translated into English, which is a blessing for all of you who otherwise wouldn’t be able to partake in his wisdom. He offers reviews on restaurants, cafés and bars, covering the entire city and in addition, offers information on over 300 specialty gourmet shops... an indispensible reference for any foodie going on a personal Parisian food fest.” –The Paris Traveler

“Noted food writer and critic Giles Pudlowski is out with the first English edition of Pudlo Paris, an exhaustive guide to dining in the city.” –Frank Wagner, Copley News Service

"Created by historian and food critic Pudlowski, this guidebook has been the Parisian's restaurant bible since 1990, but this 17th edition is the first to be translated into English. It is exhaustive, with almost 1000 restaurant reviews, plus coverage of wine bars, pubs, cafes, and gourmet shops. Pudlowski himself, with the help of a very small staff, updates each review annually. Changes in ratings from the previous year are noted, as are eating places that are new to this edition. What sets Pudlo apart is its unique rating system. Rather than stars, Pudlo assigns "plates" based on how well an eatery executes its menu; establishments are labeled Simple, Comfortable, Very Comfortable, Luxurious, and Very Luxurious. Therefore, a modest neighborhood bistro (labeled "Simple") that Pudlowski deems estimable may get the same plate rating as an expensive white-linen ("Luxurious") establishment. Restaurants that Pudlowski feels are overrated, tourist traps, or offensive in other ways receive a special "broken plate" rating. Each chapter of the guide covers an arrondissement and begins with listings of eateries by rating, price (or value), and type of cuisine; the restaurants with their reviews follow in alphabetical order. Foodies and budget-minded travelers will love this guide. Highly recommended for public libraries where books like Patricia Wells's Food Lovers' Guide to Paris are popular." --Library Journal

"Now available for the first time in English, Pudlo Paris is the highly respected guide to Parisian restaurants, gourmet shops, cafes and bars...The sophisticated guide consists of detailed profiles of each establishment that list specific menu items, descriptions of signature dishes, the chef's background as well as the ambience, decor, typical clientele and history of the venue. In other words, everything you wanted to know--and more--about your favorite Parisian dining venue." --Chicago Tribune

"Locals have kept Pudlo Paris--food critic Gilles Pudlowski's guide to over 1,500 restaurants, bars, cafes, and gourmet shops around the city--to themselves; now the paperback tome is available in English." --Travel+Leisure

"Michelin has seen competitors come and go, but none have built the reputation of Gilles Pudlowski, whose Pudlo Paris guide has been published by Little Bookroom in English for the first time." —Florence Fabricant, The New York Times

"The book that a New York Times columnist once called the 'Parisian gourmet's best-kept secret' is no longer a secret...Pudlowski's voluminous reference features over 1,000 restaurants, 300 wine bars, cafes, tea salons, and gourmet shops...Although Pudlo rates all styles of restaurants, he is known among Parisian food lovers for discovering little-known treasures representing value for the money and for defending traditional cuisine." --Food Arts

"A top French gourmet has revealed his secrets to the public...Pudlo Paris, written by Gilles Pudlowski, a well-known restaurant critic and journalist at Le Point, is now out in English. The pocket-size book is organized by arrondissement, with a little description of the street ambiance as an introduction. Pudlowski analyzes almost 1,000 restaurants and covers nearly every neighborhood in Paris. Anywhere you are, there is an interesting place to eat right around the corner...The lively, detailed guide features a series of symbols (very good, disappointing, comfortable) to make sure you find the place of your dreams." --France Magazine

"Planning a trip to Paris? If so, don't even think of leaving home without the 2007-2008 English-language version of the travel guide Pudlo Paris by Gilles Pudlowski." --El Paso Times

"Arriving this year for the first time in English is Pudlo Paris, a restaurant guide by culinary historian and journalist Gilles Pudlowski. The book is based on a three-ring rating system and is neatly divided by arrondissement. This edition (new for 2007-2008) divulges the details of more than a thousand pubs, cafes, fourmet stores and restaurants. It also lists Pudlowski's twenty-one favorite eateries." --Town & Country

"French-speakers have long had an edge on the Paris dining scene by dint of an insider's guide known as the Pudlo. (The title echoes the last name of the author, the eminent food critic Gilles Pudlowski.) This fantastic resource has just-finalement!-been translated into English. Pudlo Paris 2007-2008 reviews nearly 1,000 restaurants, plus cafes, bars, and specialty food stores. Besides the tantalizing descriptions, there are handy tallies by category, such as restaurants with late hours or meals for under 30 euros. Pudlowski also reveals his personal favorites. Hungry for more? The U.S. publisher plans to release an English translation of Pudlo France in spring 2008." --Fodors

"For the first time, Gilles Pudlowski's smart, opinionated, and deliciously spot-on guide to the best of gourmet Paris is available in English." —Departures magazine

"Pudlo used to be a secret among non-Francophones; using it meant you were curious and open and wanted to be surrounded by Parisians, not tourists. Now in English, it just might change the way you experience, and perceive, this food-obsessed city." —Wine Spectator

"If you're going to eat in Paris, this is the guide you will want." —The Observer (UK)

"Pudlo Paris, an annual guide by French food critic Gilles Pudlowski, is probably the most comprehensive food guide to Paris." —Gourmet Magazine's Choptalk on Epicurious

"Restaurant critic and journalist Gilles Pudlowski has critiqued and categorized the restaurants of Paris for years. For the first time, his influential "Pudlo Paris" is available in English, courtesy of the Little Bookroom. The New York-based boutique publisher has issued the 2007-08 edition in paperback. Tourists will find the guide particularly valuable. Organized by arrondissement, or neighborhood, "Pudlo Paris" lists more than 1,000 restaurants, bars, wine bars, pubs, tea salons, cafes and specialty gourmet shops. A system of symbols divides the establishments into Best Value for the Money, and a scale of symbols rates the restaurants as good value for the money, simple, comfortable, very comfortable, luxurious and very luxurious.Pudlowski, a historian of French regional culinary traditions and the author of two cookbooks, also includes menu items, signature dishes, the chef's background and a description of the ambience, decor and clientele." --Philadelphia Inquirer

"For the past 17 years, Gilles Pudlowski (Pudlo), France's leading culinary critic, has published an annual guide, in French, to the best eateries in Paris. Categorized by arrondissement and highlighting specialty gourmet shops, the guide is now available in English." --National Post (Canada)

“For many Parisians, especially the younger, active types who nightly crowd into the city’s brasseries and bistros, Le Pudlo is the restaurant guide…The Pudlo books cater to readers who want to know the newest places as soon as possible. Moreover, neighborhood by neighorhood, Pudlo features the best butchers, bakers, cheese makers and tea rooms.” —The New York Times (Frank J. Prial, review of the French edition)

"For the first time, the secret weapon of Paris gastronomes will be available in English...Written by Gilles Pudlowski, the restaurant critic for Le Point...It's the combination of zeal and knowledge...that make the guide so indispensable." —TRIO

"The Little Bookroom seems to be on a roll, producing pocket-sized guides to things in London and — especially — Paris. For Parisians, Pudlo is regarded as a useful guide to local restaurants...I strongly recommend this new English-language Pudlo for the non-francophone Paris-bound. Many other guides...are in substance nothing more than publicity-flak handouts for tourist-traps. This book is truly sized for pocket or purse, and gives the traveler everything needed for a smart choice." --The Greenwich Time

"It's here: the first-ever English language edition of Gilles Pudlowski's voluminous-yet-handy guide to 1,000 Paris restaurants, 300 wine bars, tea shops, cafes and several hundred gourmet groceries... if you're off to Paris--or, given the exchange rate, of a mind to read and dream about Paris--this is the book to buy...Pudlo--don't leave home without him." --Headbutler

About the Author
Gilles Pudlowski is the restaurant critic and journalist for the French weekly magazine Le Point ; a contributor to Saveurs and Bon Voyage magazines; cultural commentator and critic; a historian of French regional culinary traditions; and the author of two cookbooks, France the Beautiful Cookbook and Great Women Chefs of Europe.

Simon Beaver grew up in the South of England, but moved to Paris nearly 30 years ago. He initially worked as an English teacher, but soon discovered a taste for translation. For two and a half decades now, he has been adapting books, TV and movie scripts, songs and biographies into English, writing subtitles and recording voice overs. Whenever he can, he spends time at his second home on the Normandy coast, in England or in Andalusia.

Phyllis Flick is an American living in Paris who has written about Paris and French life for various publications including the TimeOut Eating and Drinking Guide to Paris.  She is also co-host of the eGullet Society for Culinary Arts and Letters France forum.

Sophie Brissaud is a food writer, stylist, photographer, and occasionally a restaurant reviewer. She is also a journalist for "Saveurs" (French edition) and "Regal", as well as a translator from English to French. She has written many books: some of them in collaboration with famous chefs, some under her own identity. She lives in Paris.
 
Lucy Vanel is a food journalist, photographer, and writer. She has lived and worked in Lyon France since the year 2000.   She serves as a Manager of the eGullet Society for Culinary Arts and Letters, and is co-host of the France forum there. 

Customer Reviews

More useful than Zagat or Michelin --- the new gold standard
A year or so ago, a blogger with a special love for Paris bemoaned the way Americans read English-language restaurant guides and then make predictable choices:

"I've given up the occasionally useful Patricia Wells [The Food Lover's Guide to Paris, because every self-respecting American foodie would never find herself eating anywhere in Paris without first checking with the good Ms. Wells. This often results in the mass descending of American food tourists on places she favored. Walking through the door of La Regalade these days feels like one has just been magically transported to Manhattan."

The blogger took solace in one enduring reality: "My Pudlo is still only available in French. When a translated version is published, then I will really scream."

Well, scream your head off, darling. It's here: the first-ever English language edition of Gilles Pudlowski's voluminous-yet-handy guide to 1,000 Paris restaurants, 300 wine bars, tea shops, cafes and several hundred gourmet groceries. He gives awards: best chef of the year, international restaurant of the year, young chef of the year, bistro of the year --- even best hostess of the year. He lists new restaurants, with ratings (one to three "plates") and prices. He summarizes the "best" restaurants. He collects restaurants that are the "best value for the money." And he smartly organizes this mass of information and opinion by collecting restaurants in arrondisements, with informative short essays at the beginning of each one.

Gilles Pudlowski is not just a critic. In that French way, he's a public intellectual: a historian of regional French cooking, a novelist, cookbook author. As a foodie, he's a bit limited; he seems to be obsessed with "produce". And he ends almost every mini-review the same way, with praise for the restaurant's wine list. Still, if you're off to Paris --- or, given the exchange rate, of a mind to read and dream about Paris --- this is the book to buy.

Not Zagat?

Not Zagat, except as a handy --- because it's alphabetical --- backup.

And for a very simple reason: Zagat tells you what tens of thousands of unknown people liked, Pudlo is one man's opinion. Okay, with a little help --- he uses "twenty or so professional and amateur researchers." Still, I think my point holds: You do better dealing with one, reasonably consistent point-of-view than with a legion of unknowns.

Pudlo's point-of-view comes across as one of sensible optimism. He finds this a very good time: "Paris has never provided us with as many new opportunities to celebrate at reasonable prices." [Looking at those prices, you may conclude there was a problem in the translation here.] His chef of the year is female. And he has a knack for suggesting restaurants you've never heard of in a way that makes you want to go immediately.

The quickest way to test a critic is to compare his impressions of restaurants you know well with your take on those establishments. I was with him on Le Caveau du Palais, an old favorite on the Place Dauphine: "There is not a single false note..." Yes, Vaudeville is "the archetypal Parisian brasserie." I thought there was much more to say about Benoit than to recite the menu and note that it now takes Visa. I found Bofinger overrated; Pudlo wrote around the subject, avoiding a negative opinion. He raved about the view at Georges, on the roof of the Pompidou Center --- well, duh. He nailed L'Orangerie for its devotion to "chic little suppers." Amen. His enthusiasm for Rotisserie du Beaujolais could not equal mine; I forgive him. He overpraises the fading Vietnamese classic, Tan Dinh, and fails to include the outrageously great Cambodian restaurant, Au Coin des Gourmets --- for shame. And he has a weakness for killer expensive, big name restaurants that I don't share.

No matter. Reading Pudlo is to be in a conversation. I thrilled when he turned sour: Maxim's customers are "in search of a culinary museum." And it's great to hear a voice that's a monotone for most of the book break out in wild praise. The Mori Venice Bar "will convince you that the Grand Canal is to be found in the heart of Paris." Helene Darroze "looms over the Parisian culinary stage alongside all those she formerly admired." And he finds the food at the Jules Verne --- the Eiffel Tower restaurant I recall as an overpriced tourist trap --- so great that he could almost "step over the balustrade and take to the air." Nice touches, all.

Pudlo --- don't leave home without him.

If you love Paris...
We've spent a lot of time in Paris, especially for the last 15 years on business.

We're not big name restaurant people. It's not that we avoid them, we just don't always have time or the inclination to drop half the family fortune. We've never had a bad meal in Paris. Sometimes you just don't feel like making a meal an expedition. Other times, you have your mouth set on something. Pudlo sorts it out by districts in a way anyone who understands the system will find agreeable..

Pudlo is an old new reliable for the French. This is the first time it's been in English, but it's worthwhile. As a test we picked some our favorite restaurants. Most of them were there, including the dishes that we thought we most noteworthy (some exotic). A few were not - and many of the ordinary restaurants we choose would not be in anyone's guide. But it's more useful that most other guides. Just check the menus for price before you eat.

Not as helpful as expected
I was just in Paris for five weeks, and I must have spent many hours reading Pudlo over the course of the trip. I did not find it all that helpful, mainly because I found the paragraphs that accompany each restaurant listing insufficiently critical. Nearly every restaurant in the book gets a good review. A few are praised to the ceiling (mostly the grand restaurants, which obviously have fantastic food), and a few are condemned as disappointing, but the vast majority of the reviews are fairly bland: Pudlo describes a few signature dishes, relates some tidbit about the decor or location or the new chef, and says that they were left happy and satisfied. I wanted the guidebook to help me find the best restaurants in the city, of every size and price: the places that serve unusually good food. But Pudlo did not help with that, because it doesn't discriminate between the vast majority of restaurants it reviews.

I was disappointed in other ways as well. Trying to find a restaurant close to the Comedie Française, I chose one of Pudlo's "Special Favorites", a Corsican place called A Casa Luna. It turned out to be mediocre, ordinary, not a restaurant I would want to return to. My main dish was mush, literally mush, with a big slice of cheese on top. (My friend's fish was slightly better.) Not only was the Pudlo guide in general insufficiently discriminating, but the rankings provided did not inspire confidence. How could a serious food critic call this mediocre place "A Special Favorite"?

One would think that Pudlo and his team of assistants would know the city like the palm of their hand, and would reveal the small, inconspicuous places where one can find superb food and drink. Alas, the guide has a prejudice against small casual places--it will list a formal restaurant where the food is quite ordinary over a hole-in-the-wall where the food is divine--and it is often content to stick with places whose fame is already established. Understandable, perhaps (it's harder to find the less well-known gems), but boring. Pudlo lists one ice cream shop in the fourth arrondissement, Berthillon, which is a nice place but already extremely famous. It did not list my favorite ice cream shop in the fourth: Pozetto's, a small independent gelato place, which made truly extraordinary gelato. Pudlo doesn't bother to include these less well-known gems.

Pudlo is helpful as a restaurant phone-book of sorts--it's handy to have the phone numbers, addresses, hours, and prices for such a large number of restaurants. I appreciated that information. But as for guidance, it disappoints.