It's an excellent, friendly bistro and upmarket coffee shop - very much the place to be seen.

Located across the 11th-century Pont Vieux is this bright, friendly bistro where the food almost takes a back seat to the wines: the owner's a qualified sommelier, and he's passionately knowledgeable about local vintages.

Today Place Dauphine is one of Paris's most inviting, intimate spots, a tree-shaded haven with pigeons, benches and restaurants, including the friendly bistro Chez Paul.

After a falling-out with the owners, he has moved downtown, and downscale, to Papillon, a friendly bistro in the West Village whose owners obviously do not mind rolling the dice.

When this friendly French bistro lost its lease last summer, it packed up and moved a few blocks east.

In gustatory workouts, we would pool our pennies and eat at Gare St.-Lazare on West Armitage Street, a bouncy, friendly bistro, now defunct.

D Map Café 1 is a friendly and appealing little bistro with candlelit tables amid elegant blonde-wood and wrought-iron decor.

ATMOSPHERE: A lively, friendly American-style bistro with globally accented American cuisine.

Another newish favorite is Small Plates, 1521 Broadway, (313) 963-0497, an airy, friendly bistro across the street from the Detroit Opera House.

Very Good Atmosphere Warm, friendly American bistro.