You may also try www.reservethebest.com. It's organized in a logical fashion and allows you to make online reservations. We've had good luck with it. I've found calling ahead & speaking to the maitre d' is generally easy and gives me a better sense as to whether I'd like to dine in a given restaurant.

May means white asparagus season & frais du bois (wild strawberries). If at all possible, try both of them. They are delicious as they are at their peak this time of year.

Angelique's for a snack/light lunch and a cup of their Chocolat Afrique. Like warm chocolate pudding - mmmm - and great pastries to boot. On Rue Royale just around the corner from the Hotel Intercontinental.

Fauchon's for macaroons and coffee.

The Bertillon ice cream is out of this world delicious. I've been known to stop overnight in Paris just to get a Bertillon fix. There were three carts (the marais area, champs elysee and just behind Notre Dame Cathedral) last time I visited. The easiest to find, by far, is the one behind Notre Dame. Go behind the church and take the footbridge over to the Ile St. Louis. There are two stands - the one on the left had a red awning and the one on the right had the green awning. The Bertillon was at the green awning. This time of year they make the frais du bois (wild strawberry) sorbet that has an incredible perfume. Their chocolate is deep, rich and amazing. Lots of other great flavors, too, but those two are standouts.

We liked CARRé DES FEUILLANTS a lot. We also visited in May (2003) and had an outstanding seasonal menu with superb service. It's in the same general price category as Le Pre Catalan (read: SPLURGE AND WORTH IT IF YOU CAN SWING IT) and is across the street from the Hotel Intercontinental near the Place de Vendome. Both restaurants are great; IMHO, the food was slightly better than Le Pre Catalan (we visited last summer) and the service was definitely better.

Details follow:
14, rue de Castiglione
75001 Paris
Tél : 01 42 86 82 82 (from the US it's 011-33-14-286-8282)
Fax : 01 42 86 07 71 (from the US it's 011-33-14-286-0771)
Email : carre.des.feuillants@wanadoo.fr

Metro Tuileries
Carre de Feuillante

On another note, you'll be there for the early part of the French Open grand slam tennis tournament. If you're so inclined, you can take the metro out there. A bunch of ticket scalpers were waiting outside the metro and had good choices at or below face. It's a pretty park with the red clay courts if the weather cooperates. The Roland Garros tennis center is not far from the Bois du Bologne and so may be convenient if you're planning a lunch at Le Pre Catalan.

If I weren't already so looking forward to PIP, I'd show you around in person! :D

Bon appetit, Anne