We ate at Le Chateaubriand (& had a great meal) while visiting Paris in the years somewhere between your trip and PenelopeWitherspoon’s – well after it was new. During our last stay in Paris 3 years ago, we had it on our “maybe” list but didn’t wind up going. My current list for our upcoming trip late Sept. again has it on the “maybe” list. Most of that has to do with there being so many other places we want to try, but I realize that several on our “must return” list are places we have gone, so I know that’s not the sole consideration.
After many trips to Paris and elsewhere, I’m still trying to wrap my head around to what degree I agree with your statement. Although I certainly do not go “elsewhere” in order to eat with others who are doing the same & would, most times, rather be surrounded by the people & culture of the place I’m visiting, I’m not sure that a restaurant serving a lot of tourists is a “turn off”. So many variables exist when deciding to dine at a place & I don’t think you (or I, for that matter) can just discount the fact that both PenelopeW and I had great meals/experiences at a place like Le Chateaubriand long after it was known to, and populated by, a significant # of tourists.
Probably a general topic to be explored elsewhere on HO, but this seemed like a good place to put it out there.
as an aside: I almost resisted the urge to respond to naf’s comment that they “serve a lot of tourists” with a “but I don’t eat tourists” comment (anyone else an old Twilight Zone fan & remember the “To Serve Man” episode)?
edited to add: opened a new topic for this potential discussion
