Good Value Eats around Montparnasse (14e/15e)

A selection of restaurants a little off the beaten track or at the unfashionable ends of streets that offer good inexpensive food in an interesting decor and ambience. Three course dinners in the evening for 15-20 euros. Less for lunch (always better value). "Bonne cuisine pour petits budgets!"

Le Bistrot des Pingouins, 79 rue Daguerre, 14e. map 01 4321 9229 (French traditional)
Le Plan B, 89 Rue Daguerre, 14e. map 01 4320 2009 (French traditional)
Coffee India, 27 rue Gassendi, 14e. map 01 4320 0764 (Indian)
Le Nouveau Café, 15 rue du Maine, 14e. map 01 4321 6529 (French traditional)
Cana'Bar, 22 rue Raymond Losserand, 14e. map 01 4322 9215 (French traditional)
Maison de L'Inde, 25 ave du Maine, 15e. map 01 4544 9441 (Indian)
C'est mon plaisir, 8 rue Falguière, 15e. map 01 4273 0702 (French Provence)

Also, if you venture into the 10e, there is an excellent middle Eastern restaurant that I cannot fail to mention:

Le Globe, 198 rue St Maur, 10e. map 01 4208 1696 (Couscous, Tajines, Mechoui)

Enjoy!

Free live jazz at Hotel d’Aubusson's Café Laurent

The luxury Hotel d’Aubusson keeps the jazz spirit of St-Germain-des-Prés alive with live concerts in their Café Laurent every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night from 18h30 to 20h00 and 21h30 until midnight. Free entrance. 33 rue Dauphine, 6e. 01 43 29 43 43. Metro: Mabillon. www.cafe-laurent.com

Poetry Discussion Group

This English-language poetry group reads and discusses poems every Friday from 18h30 to 20h15 with biscuits and tea at the home of Dr. Nagpal, ground floor left, 65 rue Pascal, 13e. Metro: Glacière or Les Gobelins. Reserve because space is limited. Call 01 47 07 55 28 or email: nagpal@nip.com.fr.

"This is the 15th year of our English poetry group. We read and discuss poems, the best we know or can find. Some of us write and these receive special attention. Anything goes, but ideally we want to read true, sweet, serious poems that take us forward, help us understand. We do not want boring, pretentious or incomprehensible stuff. Ten or so people, intelligent conversation, some fellowship, no showing off… it’s a good way to spend a Friday evening in this dry world. So do come and join us. You don’t have to talk or bring poems. All are welcome. There is no charge."

The First of the Big Rollers

Paris was the first place in Europe to host mass roller skating and the tradition continues today. Every Friday night throughout the year around 15,000 skaters take to the streets and cover between 25 and 30 km. If you can brake and control your skates reasonably well you are welcome to join. See the organizer's website for details. Starting at 21h30 rollers gather near the foot of the Montparnasse Tower (blvd du Montparnasse, 14e. Metro: Montparnasse) and 30 minutes later set off en-masse. Many keep going until 1h in the morning. www.pari-roller.com