Hey, Bud! When does Saint-Emilion reopen? And some places for quiet lunch

Hey, Bud! Now that Paris 7th is open, will the old Saint-Emilion ever reopen?

—A west side man

Any day now, as a matter of fact. With Paris 7th inheriting the fine-dining French role, Saint-Emilion will reopen within days as a little wine bistro. The menu will be simpler than Paris 7th. Look for escargot, pate, salads, simple dinners and about 50 wines. It’s at 3617 W. Seventh St., three blocks east of Paris 7th.

Hey, Bud! I emailed you but never heard back. Where’s a quiet place for a group for lunch?

—A resident at the Stayton at the Museum Way

Never saw it — write anytime at bud@budkennedy.com. I’d say Cattlemen’s Steak House in the Stockyards at lunch, Waters downtown, Aventino’s Italian in Ridglea or either Michaels or Piola in the Cultural District. For a view, Branch & Bird in the Frost Tower downtown. (Del Frisco’s Double Eagle and Capital Grille also serve weekday lunch.)

Hey, Bud! Friday is Texas Chicken Fried Steak Day. I noticed your midweek “best” list didn’t mention [chain restaurant].

—Guy who likes chain chicken-fried

Yes. I noticed that too. It’s tough to praise a pre-fab chain chicken-fried steak, even when it’s served under fancy black-pepper chipotle gravy. Rather have a homemade, garlicky chicken-fried steak in a hole-in-the-wall like M&M Steak House, or the soft, tender CFS at Mac’s Bar and Grill in Arlington.