Paris dining

On a trip to Paris in June ’03 we stayed, as usual, at Hôtel du Danube (58 rue Jacob, 75006 Paris, France; phone +33 01 42 60 34 70, e-mail info@hoteldanube.fr) — in the Saint Germain des Pres area on the Left Bank. Rooms run €110-€160 (near $130-$190), with a junior suite or apartment €220.

We paid return visits to two favorite places to eat:

• La Soummam (25 rue des Grands Augustins, Paris; phone 01 43 54 12 43) — a small neighborhood restaurant frequented by locals. This a little piece of North Africa. Native crafts and posters provide the décor, while ethnic music, with the owner singing along, sets the mood.

Try the couscous tangine combo with spicy merguez sausage, plus Algerian wine and mint tea poured with ceremony. Two can dine comfortably and copiously for €30 (near $37), all inclusive.

• Seraphin (5 rue Mabillon) — across from the covered March St. Germain. A happening place all of three years old. The energy of the young staff is palpable.

The easy-to-use menu is divided into three categories: appetizers at €7-€8 ($8.50-$9.75), main courses at €12-€18 ($14.60-$22) and desserts at €7-€8. Offerings are seasonal and inventive (not to mention delicious), the wines are attractively priced and the enthusiasm is irresistible!

MARY RACK & DAVID FULK
Overland Park, KS