When we were in Paris, we just walked by the restaurants and read the menu. If it suited us we took a seat (or were given a seat). That's all!

One of our best (I don't know the district - arrondissement - at the moment) is next to the Centre Pompidou. Some years ago there were three restaurants next to each other. The middle one was the funniest cause (besides a wonderful meal) they invited their guests to paint on the table cloth (ordinary paper) while they wait. The best paintings were put on the wall behind the bar... :-)

Baerbel.