A Table in Paris: The Cafés, Bistros, and Brasseries of the World's Most Romantic City

by John Donohue

A visual exploration of the Paris dining scene, with stories, guides, and recommendations from everyday patrons and famous aficionados alikeParis is a city like no other, beloved by travelers the world over for its incomparable architecture, atmosphere, arts, and, of course, food. The restaurants of Paris are rich with history, culture, and flavor. Whether you're a frequent visitor to the City of Light with memories of your favorite meals or an armchair traveler dreaming of the cuisine you could discover there, A Table in Paris will take you on a delicious visual journey through the arrondissements that you'll never forget. In his signature loose and evocative style, artist John Donohue has rendered an incredible sampling of the iconic institutions, hidden gems, and everything in between that make the Paris dining scene one of a kind.Guided by recommendations from a breadth of locals, visitors, and experts, you’ll discover the places one must visit and the dishes one must sample in pursuit of the perfect Parisian meal. The book also offers space for your Paris dining bucket list, food memories or dreams from each arrondissement, and notes on the establishments featured. Restaurants hold a powerful place in our hearts, and A Table in Paris is a must-have for anyone with epicurean visions of Paris in theirs. 

Genres: Travel, France, Nonfiction, Food

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 23, 2021

About the author

John Donohue is a novelist and martial artist whose novels in the Burke Yamashita series, Sensei, Deshi, Tengu and the forthcoming (July 2011) Kage all explore the world of elite martial arts training and the implications of a life of action

Reviews

[Arta Buneta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nicely illustrated, handsomely printed and bound.

Sadly, Mr. Donohue and his partners have limited their reviews to the most obvious establishments that pander to a particularly American notion of Paris. As such, the book is the ideal companion to NETFLIX' Emily in Paris.

The section devoted to St. Germain features Brassiere Lipp, Café de Flore, Lapérouse & les Deux Magots, elsewhere you find Maxim's, Bofinger, la Coupole, Café de la Paix and all the others that constitute tourist attractions. One wouldn't be surprised to hear that they're secretly owned by Disneyland Paris.

The descriptions seem to be copy/pasted from a myriad other books on the very same locations or are brief and nondescript: The one on Au Passage: 'Small plates and late nights."

The overall impression is that this book is as insightful as a day ticket to the Paris metro. Pity.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

While not as useful for finding actual dining options as I had hoped, I was still utterly charmed by this little book. Donahue isn’t breaking any new ground here, and most of the places will be familiar to any regular Paris visitor…Cafe de Flore, Bofinger, le train Bleu, etc. His fun descriptions of the places are what really makes the book enjoyable, not so much reviews as little vignettes or just a piece of trivia illuminate these well-worn haunts in a jolly light. I do think the publisher did the book a big disservice with the high price tag and small format. It’s very cumbersome, not easy to read and the size doesn’t work as a coffee table book, nor something you want to travel with. That said, I am very pleased to add this to my collection of France books.

[Mister Moose · Rating 2 out of 5]

Aside from Mr. Donahue's pleasant sketches, I found this book pretty much useless. It's not even remotely viable as a restaurant guide, since so many of the tables he includes are as obvious as the nose on my face, and instead of having any editorial point of view of his own, he tapped famous local food writers like Patricia Wells, Alex Lobrano and others on the shoulder and asked for their recommendations. Overall, this felt like a hurried and insincere project.

[Jessica Haider · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!

[Kara Kvasnicka · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful and beautifully-illustrated guidebook to dining options in every arrondissement of Paris that is a fun read even if you can only dream of partaking of a meal in "world's most romantic city."

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely ADORED this book!
It is a great book to just pick up when you just have a few moments, and want to be transported to the City Of Light and in particularly, its amazing FOOD!
The book contains hundreds of tiny restaurant reviews (quite recent - 2021), of both the very well known & the tiny-hole-in-the wall... if the food is superb, it gets a spot. Donohue does not write these, but has chosen many helpers to do so. Most seem to be American ex-pats with some close association with Paris, but not all.
Each little review (the longest is perhaps a page in this pocket sized book) is accompanied by a small line drawing of the actual establishment. They are organized by Arrondissement.
If you are a fan of all things yummy and Parisian (as I absolutely am), this is a super fun book to peruse. I highly recommend sipping a preferred beverage & snacking while doing so.

Special shout out to the Waterloo Public Library, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, for doing a purchase request for me, so I might read this item & share it.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's important to note that this is not just a book of restaurant recommendations and spaces for notes though, there's also some good information packed in here when it comes time to head out for your first bite to eat in the City of Love. This is a fabulous little book. Reading through it has me itching for a trip to Paris.
Full review: https://www.avocadodiaries.com/2021/0...

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about the multitudes of restaurants in Paris written by various contributors from around the world. It's a wonderful book with beautiful sketches by John Donohue. Five stars for the entire book, including my great contribution on page 202 about the restaurant/bakery Mokonuts.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely DEVOURED this book in one evening. Delicious and like a vacation in a volume.

[Susan Leahy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this - I aim to visit some of these tables next time I’m in Paris.