Word up on that. You can find great food in Paris, but it takes a bit of work, research, and planning. Unlike Italy, you cannot just walk into any corner place and expect a decent meal. The typical Parisian fare is pretty lame, IMO.
Yes, but you have to know where to go. I could be anywhere in Rome and walk into a dive deli and ask for a panino, and it would rock. I walk into any French bistro even in a decent neighborhood, say the 5th, and 9 times out of 10 the food will just be "meh".