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Author: gracejoan3
Date: 10/31/2008, 06:35 am


I was up early, early this morning so I could call Daniel Rose in Paris. Daniel always answers the phone. We chatted about my e-mail that I had sent re the new place being open by April 24th for a little group to partake of his wonderful presentations! He said it might be close for that date. We will keep in touch about it. I then told him about this quick Dec. trip and what did he have for me. I have 4 seats for lunch on Friday Dec. 5th. I have an e-mail in to Catherine Constant to see if they wanted to join now, as April was when they had thought of joining in. Who knows, they may want the seats, in Dec!! They will definitely not be hard to fill!! Perhaps the best meal anyone could have for a Paris visit!!

Received my airport transportation confirmation overnight. They are only charging me 40 euros for this trip..each way, of course. What a bargain!!

a bientot...

Joan




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Author: elsiejune
Date: 10/31/2008, 08:38 am
Joan,
We're thinking of Spring for our May '09 trip....Do you know where the new restaurant will be located? Also, how far in advance to phone for lunch and/or dinner?
Merci, EJ



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Author: gracejoan3
Date: 10/31/2008, 09:59 am
elsiejune,

I went by the new location in Sept...a dingy little street called Bailleul..about 1 1/2 blocks long off rue du Louvre..near the Louvre-Rivoli Metro. Daniel will wake up the street.

I had sent him an e-mail asking if he thought it would be open for the 24th of April as I have some friends in town that weekend. He said it would be close, but we will keep in touch about that date. I will be there for another month, so will be OK for me.

Send Daniel an e-mail and tell him when you will be there and would like a reservation for dinner or lunch during that period of time at his new location. Ask him to send you an e-mail when he knows what his timetable will be.He will have 6 more covers. I would imagine that it will be very simple, as it now is.

I will pass on to him what I have told you when there on 12/5. I will be in Paris from 4/14 til 5/13. Might think about going to Spring at the same time....

a bientot...

Joan




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Author: luvparee
Date: 10/31/2008, 10:07 am
Joan -- where is the running commentary on your last trip? I would love to read it (although I read ALL your posts on "Our Paris" forum!). Is Lilia our own Framboise? If so, lucky her -- you two will have a great time together -- kindred spirits I think.

joy/luvparee



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Author: gracejoan3
Date: 10/31/2008, 10:29 am
luv/paree,

You are correct Lilia/Framboise!!

Here is the thread:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2&tid=35154778

You will find it fun reading, fun doing and many new friends were found. All were helpful and appreciative of one another and no criticisms...to me, just the way it should always be.

Guess I will start another for the Dec. dates and we will do it again.

I may have 2 seats for dining at Spring for lunch on Dec. 5th..will see..

a bientot...

Joan




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Author: Weekender
Date: 10/31/2008, 12:46 pm
Joan:

Sign me up for a GTG at Cafe Max!

Weekender



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Author: gracejoan3
Date: 10/31/2008, 01:33 pm
weekender,

Is that what you would like to do in December? What date? Closed on Sat/Sun. I guess you would need it to be Friday the 12th? How many in your party?

We can work on it and probably get a nice little group together.

The food is good, the place is bistrot funky and mainly French yuppies at night who do not begin to arrive til 9:00. Valdo can be charming and funny!

a bientot..

Joan



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Author: Weekender
Date: 10/31/2008, 02:13 pm
Joan:

Looks like it must be Friday the 12th. Don't have a final count on my group as yet. We can give those yuppies a run for their money!

Weekender



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Author: framboise_et_rose
Date: 10/31/2008, 02:19 pm
Joan,

Thanks for alerting me to this thread. It would be nice to have a GTG at Cafe Max on the 12th. I will try to get Megan to join us.

Weekender, are you going to be with a group of friends or will be by yourself?

Joy/Luvparee - yes, Joan and I will really have a grand time. It will be especially nice for me as it used to be my old 'hood for almost 5 years during "les annees quatre-vingt". It has changed some through the years. I missed meeting you in September - I was back home when you arrived!

Will keep in touch!

Lilia

Lilia:

I am going to be in Paris with several friends. Our travels tend to be rather chaotic and without any semblance of a plan but I would love to meet you all at Cafe Max. I will attempt to rein in the others as well!

Weekender

Weekender,

Know what you mena about being chaotic. When dealing with several people within a short period of time, it can be quite daunting and frustrating. As you well know, most of the fun restos one might want to try are closed on weekends.

My trips go anywhere from 10 days to a couple of weeks. Wish it can be longer but maybe someday. I'm just happy to be able to enjoy myself and get to visit my old friends and new ones.

Looking forward to meeting you!

Lilia

Getting our dining lined up..
12/4 Cafe Max upon arrival..late lunch or early dinner
12/5 Lunch-Spring
12/6 Light lunch Les Cocottes
12/6 Dinner Cafe Constant
12/7 l'Obelisque (Crillon) lunch
12/8 Les Sauvers lunch
12/9 Fables de la Fontaine dinner
12/10 Violon d'Ingres lunch
12/11 Undecided
12/12 Cafe Max GTG
12/13 Undecided
12/14 Drouant lunch
Depart for home....

That is a pretty good list, I think.

a bientot..

Joan

Such a wonderful list!
I wouldn't be able to look at food when we come back to good old USA. Then, there's Christmas.

Between meals, we can enjoy the Christmas lights and lots of window shopping (for me anyway) and the few roving markets that we wanted to visit.

Thank you for organizing all these. Our GTG at Valdo's promises to be a fun evening for all.

bisous,
Lilia

Lilia,

We can probably get a taxi to drive us around a bit to see some displays at night. I had one a few years back who did that when he was driving me to a restaurant where I had dinner reservations..was very nice.

We will have plenty of time for places that we want to go for shopping and/or whatever.

a bientot...

Joan

Let's add Tante Louise for the 11th.

Lilia is going to cook in house on the 13th when we will have her local dear friends over for a nice time.

a bientot...

Joan

Tante Louise for Dec. 11 will be perfect. I had been wanting to go for sometime. Let's do it!!!

It looks like the two extra seats I have for "Spring" will be used by Catherine Constant. She wants to invite her good friend,( and mine), Carolyn, from Paris Perfect. They seldom have time to get together.. it would be a good way for them to do so, along with a super fine dining experience.

Sounds fun to me!!

a bientot...

Joan

I am looking forward to meeting Catherine and Carolyn. Now, our Spring reservation is filled!

I have all our dining reservations made for our December trip, that can be made.

Have been watching the weather a bit. It seems to be improving with the extended 10 days. I will be watching more closely as time gets nearer! I usually get lucky and the weather improves when I arrive...hope the luck continues!

a bientot...

Joan

I have received a request to make a reservation for someone when I go to "Spring" in December. I will take care of it. I will also get an update on the move to the new place.

I called Valdo at Cafe Max this morning to tell him of my arrival, and to make the Dec. 12th reservations for our GTG..final head count after arrival.

I am watching the Paris weather..there is room for improvement! It usually changes to quite nice weather when I show up. I hope that continues...

a bientot...

Joan

Hi Joan...I've been reading your Paris adventures with great pleasure...I just found out that a friend and I will be in Paris Dec.6-13 and will definitely try some of your favorite places. We will also be staying in the 7th...seems to draw me back every visit. Stayed in a Paris Perfect Apt. in May but this time just a hotel. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that your luck holds out and the weather improves. It would be wonderful to have a few mild days to enjoy walking and exploring...always something new to find. Thanks for all your great information...

AlReady2Go,

Hi,
I don't know if you have any interest, but we have a nice group getting together at our PP apartment to meet and greet one another, have a bit of Champagne and then walk over to Cafe Max for fun/dinner and whatever. e-mail me at abbynoelle3@yahoo.com if you want more info.

a bientot...

Joan

Looks like some local friends just couldn't pass the opportunity to join with us on this fun spur of the moment trip to Paris!!

Putting together their Paris Perfect apartment rental and then their air tickets. May be able to get same flights that I have. I will check on that for them.

Now I have to make some changes in some dining reservations for places that they should join us..of course the GTG at Cafe Max is a definite thing!

They will be doing some daytime first timer things. Will get them lined up for that.

I think this is going to be another fun, fun trip to Paris!!

a bientot...

Joan

I now know which apartments we will be staying in for this trip..all www.parisperfect.com apartments.

We will be in the Pomerol from the 4 thru the 7th. Then the Medoc the 8th thru the 11th. Then we move to the rand new Core du Rhone.
It is not on the website yet. This is the description just received::
Hi Joan,

We are just finishing cote du rhone and unfortunately I haven’t got any pictures. We had a problem with the granite in the kitchen and some furniture deliveries, but it should be done in a week or so!

Cote du rhone is a beautiful 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment with a view of the Eiffel Tower almost directly in front from the living room. And a view of the balcony of Princess Caroline of Monaco’s apartment directly ahead too. You can see the royal crest on all of their balconies; who knows, maybe she’ll be there when you are!

Kind regards,

Madelyn

Another 2 gals are joining us for our GTG and will also be visiting each apt. that we will be in.

Shaping up well for a fun trip.

a bientot..

Joan

Oh, I'm so jealous! I will be awaiting your trip reports with baited breath. But what I want to know is why you don't weigh 500 pounds, with all those great restaurant meals?! I know; I know. I did the same thing when I was there and didn't gain a pound. Why is that???? It is very strange!

Abbeau,

Some will even lose weight while in Paris!

You do walk a lot. You eat leisurely, if French style. I do eat healthy while in Paris. Actually we all eat very healthy..fresh foods, none of the additives that we have here.

All set to go a week from today...Lilia will be able to translate the menus and will post all that info, that many of you enjoy!

a bientot,

Joan

Joan,
Wishing you a wonderful trip, as you prepare to leave later this week. I'm sure you will have a wonderful time, once again, and I'll look forward to reading your upcoming posts. Bon voyage, EJ

Thanks elsiejune!

Yes, all packed, except for laptop and last minute items.

I will take cats to their "vacation" spot on Wed. morning and I will be off in the afternoon.

Weather not too peachy in Paris, but who cares, it is Paris!!

I keep checking seats on my ATL/CDG flight..so far I have all 3 seats to myself. It has been that way my last two flights over..hope it continues. Amazing how many people do not get their seats til they get to the gate, though!

a bientot...

Joan

Today is departure day for Paris!!

I will be picked up at noon for the airport and I shuttle to ATL and catch the 7:05 flight to Paris, arriving at 9:45. Lilia arrives about 11:30.

We both have a driver meeting us for transportation into town.

For those who enjoy seeing the additions to the PAris Perfect apts..I have just received some first pics of the Cote du Rhone where we will be staying last. Begin by clicking on the 2nd pic..the royal apartments..these are just pics now available..the rest of kitchen, master bedroom, more of bath and floor plan are yet to come.

It will be lovely..that I know...
http://www.parisperfect.com/0-cotes-du-rhone/text/apartment.html

Next, probably from Paris....

a bientot...

Joan

Have lots of fun! And who cares if it's bad weather! I actually have a couple photographs of my husband and myself climbing the Eiffel Tower and there isn't another person in the picture!!! I'd trade no tourists for a little rain any time. We are anxiously awaiting your trip report.

Well I did arrive..early. The flight is miserable, but that is just the way it is.

I looked at the Board for Lilia's flight due in a coule hours later..The direct AF flight from SF. It said Cancelled! My driver went with me to the AF desk and after some time searching he name etc. we found ghat she spent the day in SF and then out of Lufthansa last night to Munich and will fly from Munich to Paris tonight!! I have a drive arranged to meet her!!

Grey and wet..did not really rain this afternoon. I settled in somewhat and also found that my cell only worked for incoming calls and not outgoing..I have the free phone call service, so just got off phone with thme..should be taken care of within 24 hrs.

I went to Cafe Max to see Valdo...he was sooo busy. I said I would be back and went to Flirt'The to see Florent. Had tea and orange cake with him. I then went back to Cafe Max. These politicians are not finished lunch til 3:30..go back to work til maybe 9:00.

Anyway it is the season for wonderful Perigord Truffles. Knowing I wanted something light, Valdo fixed me what I would call scrambled eggs with shaved truffles...really hit the spot!!

We visited a bit and I reeturned to do my cell phone calling that I had to wait for the time change.

The Pomerol is cute. It is small, but very light and cheerful. Tiny elevator..aren't they all!! I am on the 5th floor. It is located on the corner of Grenelle and r. Cler.

I will get things better taken care of and check on Lilia's Lufthansa flight and wait for her to show up...

Tomorrow we will be going to Spring for lunch and Catherine Constant and Carolyn Byrne joining us...

Glad to be here....

a bientot.....

Joan

Bon jour Joan,

Welcome home, ummm, I mean welcome back! Too bad your friend is delayed. At least she'll be there tonight.

Looking forward to reading your upcoming posts. Regards to Valdo & Florent, wish I was there...

-Roberta

Hi Joan...glad you arrived in Paris safe and sound...so sorry to hear the flight wasn't the best and about Lilia's delay...hope that doesn't happen to us on Sat. Judith leaves from SF also and we meet up in DFW. We've had lots of fog this last week up and down the coast so anything is a possibility. Hope the weather improves a little before we arrive and that your cellphone is up and working...I was assured by AT&T that mine should be fine. Take care and enjoy lunch tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing you soon...

Joan, I'm glad you got there, and I imagine Lilia is there by now, too. Was she delayed by a whole day?

It must be very nice to be in Paris!

Keep having fun! Let us know what's going on.

Sue

BONJOUR FROM PARIS!!!!

This is Lilia posting in Joan's name: After a harrowing time in SFO waiting for my flight (the fuel line was leaking and attempts to fix it failed after about 4 hours), theyfinally cvancelled our flight. Then the scramble began - picked up our luggage and stood in line to rebook..... It seemed like forever.

Lucky me, this young man from Tunisia gave me a good karma and promised me that I will be leaving that night. Right on............ got the last seat out of the last flight to Europe that day but I've got to run as they are almost boarding and I am going to Munich.

Poor Joan having to wait up for me. Made it before 11:00 pm which is not bad under the circumstances. I really just wanted a Munich beer before arriving in Paris. Quite an adventure. Waited for the ET to twinkle and I slept like a baby!

bisous bisous,

Lilia

From framboise_et_rose - Please forgive me for posting as gracejoan.

We just came back from lunch at Sping joined by Catherine Constant of the Constant restaurants and Marilyn from Paris Perfect. It was a slightly rainy day - not too bad - but Joan and I did not want to get too wet and we were a little bit early. Daniel Rose was nice to accomodate us, got us seated but told him we don't need to be entertained. He offered us a drink but we'd rather wait.

We started with a potato soup with some thin crisp slices of potatoes topped by a poached oyster and a spoonful of chopped sauteed greens on top of that. Deliceux! It was followed by boneless breast of canette (bien rose) over a nicely cooked half parsnip, garnished with slices of betterave and young bettrave leaves (beets)with a touch of pureed artichaut and a dollop of creme fraiche. Need I say deliciex? Dessert was quartered apples crisp in the oven by a sprinkling of sugar; apple sauce and a dollop of cream on the side; followed by a demi-tasse de chocolat chaud topped by a mini financier. We had a bottle of Chablis Premier Cru and a bottle of Bourgogne Faverelles and our meal was served by Daniel Rose himself.
Lovely meal - lovely afternoon.

Tomorrow at the Constants - Les Cocottes for lunch adn Cafe Constant in ethe evening.

Good day to everyone!

Bisous,
Lilia

Lilia posted the above dining report for all.

Some updates for those interested in Spring reservations for later than February. Daniel has no idea at this time when the new place will be ready.He will keep me advised and I can then inform everyone. I will maintain contact with him.

Having a great time..weather is damp...

a bientot...

Joan

After lunch at Spring we returned to our apartment for a short time and then went out and wandered the streets and finally ended up at Cafe Constant where we enjoyed some wine and we each ordered two starters....mousse of scrambled eggs with truffle oil and I had crab salad and Lilia had veloute de potiron (pumpkin soup for you who do not know) and cafe creme. We wandered home and slept well..ver well!

Sat morning we got a slow start and then took a bus over to Grande Epicerie (Bon Marche) and had petite dejeuner. We shopped the area a bit and Lilia found some baby things and we then ended upm taking the metro to Ecole Militaire. We began the Navigo Decouverte for me....we did get a picture (you don't want to see it..neither do I...we had to take it with us to cut it for proper size and then return for help from the less than charming metro person. We did return and believe it or not I now have my very own navigo decouverte that is charged for next week!!

In betweeen finalizing the Navigo we did go to Less Cocottes for lunch. Lilia had her very first cocotte...confit de pomme de terre with pigs feet and salad and wine.
I had a cesar salad..French style and wine. Christian came in and we visited about our lunch at Spring the day before with Catherine. He said that Catherine spoke highly of it. We chatted about the possibility of going to the new location in the Spring and just fun chatting.The Constants do feed us well..it pleases him!!

Now we could do some shopping!! We went to a favorite little shop of mine where I always buy a chat. We found the greatest buy on some absolutely lovely scarves..for 10 euros!!! We bouught 3 and went back and bought 3 more. We now plan to return on Tuesday to buy her complete inventory of scarves!! We left therre and went to some other places that I knew and Lilia really lucked out at this outlet store that was loaded with childrens items
that were like 8 euros each..I had a hard time getting her out of there!! We tried to spend more but ended up returning to the apt. to check our mail etc. and get ready to meet our guests at Cafe Constant.
We did meet with them and had a good table. We all ordered and enjoyed our choices along with some nice desserts, cafe creme and we then all walked back to our apartment and had a fun time chatting about our fun time with our trips.

They left, we did our bookkeeping and checked our mail from friends and we are about to call it a night!!

a bientot from Paris..

PS The weather is fine..cool,but not windy and not raining we are enjoying!!

A PS

We are skipping the previously planned 2nd apartment, theMedoc, and will be going to the lovely new Cotes du Rhone on Tuesday. We will leave here with our bags all packed and while we are having lunch at Violon dIngres they will be moving us. After lunch we will just walk down Bourdonnais to our lovely new spot with the 2 bedrooms, the ET outside and the Monaco Royal Apartments across the way. Does not seem that it could get much better!!

So glad you're enjoying yourself! The time goes by so quickly, but you seem to be making the most of it. Love reading about your dining details, makes me miss Paris even more!

Continue the fun!

-Roberta

Sunday afternoon - Just got back from our lunch from l'Obelisque (Crillon). We had the best reception - great service. Started with flutes of champagne (what else but Taittinger!) I started with a risotto aux girolles et roquette (the risotto was served over a puree of rocquette (arugula) topped with the sauteed girolles with the right touch of garlic. I mentioned how I was so looking forward to having girolles as we get chanterelles in SF but not girolles. A few minutes later, a mini-cocottes came and our server announced that a little birdie told them that we don't get the genuine girolles in San Francisco so an extra serving has arrived for me. Joan had a creamy soupe de volaille avec crevettes, coriande et gingembre.

In honor of the season of chasse, we both had the Lapin de Garenne en civet a la Frrancaise, puree de celeri. It was rich! What a wonderful game dish. Service was superbe - wine is poured when needed - even our water glasses seemed to be always full - those house made rolls looked so good but I did not touch any because I did not want to fill up on carbs.

Lovely millefeuille a la vanille "Bourbon" was a thousand layers of flaky pastry that is one of Crillon's specialty - served with just a touch of coulis de framboise. Les petits pots de creme en vanille, cafe et chocolat servi avec langue-de-chat. A little plate of mignardise (petits macarons de chocolat et de chocolats framboise) rounded up the coffee service. When we ate the little mignardise, another plate showed up. It's not as if we look like we're starving, au contraire.

We were asked when we're leaving for the States and when we told him the 15th, he ssaid he hoped for us to be back and dine with them before our return home. What a fine Sunday it turned out to be. We visited a little Marche de Noel de Crillon before we went out to the cold air at the Place de la Concorde.

Will be off to another dining adventure in the morrow. Stay tuned!!!!!

a bientot et bisous de Paris!

Joan and Lilia

PS - sorry that when you read Joan's, you are also reading my reports . Silly me couldn't remember my password but Joan and I are connect at the hips for now - pauvre Joan!!!! (LOL)

Here are a couple pictures taken at Hotel Crillon today

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj124/abbynoelle/100_0127.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj124/abbynoelle/100_0128.jpg

We think this will do it...

a bientot

Thanks for posting the pictures. Is that you in the hat? I have been reading and enjoying this thread and the one from your earlier trip.

The pictures are of Lilia, not Joan

a bientot

Joan, Pomerol Paris Perfect apartment

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj124/abbynoelle/100_0131.jpg

Ladies:

Please do not drink up the entire wine supply. Save some for me.

Well, we might be able to save a little, just for you!!

a bientot....

Joan and Lilia

Lunch today is at Les Saveurs de Flora, 36 avenue George V. The dining room is so whimsical decorated with pink butterflies, orchids, pink water glasses - even the big chandelier is studded with different sizes of pink butterflies. Sitting in that room makes you feel like you're in a roomfull of cotton candy!!!!!

For our amuse bouche, glasses of chipped "soupe aux legumes vertes" served with rillettes of pork with olive oil bread squares. A glass of Muscat went well with it.

With the rest of the Muscat, Joan had a veloute de potiron served with a dollop of cream. Lilia's first course was a Tatin de boudin aux pommes vertes. Deliceux!

A glass of Saint Nicolas de Borgeuil was served with a "Couscous de Rascasse aux legumes d'hiver aux Moules, sauce Corse". Joan enjoyed that one. Lilia had confit de Caille, petits legume a l'oriental saute en wok, accompanied aby a glass of petit Bordeaux.

For dessert, Joan had the Poire Melba and I opted for the specialite de la maison - a waffle with marrons glacee, chantilly de Nutella, glace aux marrons and some warm chocolate sauce. WOW!!!!

With our cafe creme (for Joan) and espresso for me, came the mignardise - tiny madeleines and meringue and a very thin "sucettes" (lollipop) made of fresh lemon juice resting on what we thought were chocolates but turned out to be made of metal. C'est domage!!!!!

A bientot et bisous de Paris............

Lilia and Joan

Here are some pics from lunch at Les Saveurs de Flora:

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj124/abbynoelle/100_0133-1.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj124/abbynoelle/100_0135.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj124/abbynoelle/100_0136.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj124/abbynoelle/100_0137.jpg
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj124/abbynoelle/100_0138.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj124/abbynoelle/100_0134.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj124/abbynoelle/100_0133.jpg

You guys are KILLING me. Those pictures made my mouth water. I wasn't sure what half of them were, but who cares? What a lovely presentation, thanks for the great pictures.

(and this was lunch???)

-Roberta

Yes, that was lunch!!

Lilia does such a good job..we could have had some tags on pics, but takes a lot of time.

Lilia does pretty well with her whimmy diddle..you never say how you are doing with yours??

We are getting with Valdo at 11 today about Friday. Seems to be about 12 or maybe a couple more.

We are stocking wine for apartment party before Cafe Max for all to meet, greet, drink a bit...and see the ET from our windows and perhaps Caroline will also be having a party in the Royal apartments across the way!

A Violon dining report later today..

Wish many of our posting friends could be here with us to enjoy all..we miss you all...

a bientot....

Joan and Lilia

Here are a few pictures from lunch at Violon d'Ingres today:

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj124/abbynoelle/100_0142.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj124/abbynoelle/100_0135.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj124/abbynoelle/000_0002.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj124/abbynoelle/000_0003.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj124/abbynoelle/000_0004.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj124/abbynoelle/000_0005.jpg

Hi. Fun pix. What is the dish or dishes all covered in some kind of sauce, or salt blanket or somesuch at Les Saveurs? Looks very interesting and very plentiful. Was it for the whole table? A rabbit maybe? What?

Cool and brisk Tuesday morning - lots of French Fathers walking their children to school all cutely bundled up, the children...not the fathers....

Lovely to be inside the cafe having our grands cafe cremes with our morning croissants.....la bonne vie de touristes a Paris....

Got to rush - we have to buy up those scarves on rue Augereau. Unfortunately, there's only one left. Joan needed more so we will go on another adventure somewhere else.

On to Le Violon d'Ingres. We started with flutes of "Demoiselle Parisienne" (champagne made for Christian Constant). J started with "Salade de noix de Saint Jacques" - those scallops were fat and cooked just right ---so tender they might just melt in your mouth. That was accompanied by glass of Sancerre blanc. L had the "Tranche de Foie Gras d'Oie brioche aux Gelee de Pinot Noir". It's as good as if one is in Perigord. Half glass of the demoiselle accompanied that one. Didn't think we can handle a Sauternes at this time; besides Sauternes make L sleepy (it's too early in the day for a nap).

J had a "Canard Croise" - half a wild duck caramelized and coated with crushed pistachios, served with pureed and sauteed quince, served with a bunch of lambs lettuce. This was accompanied by a glass of Rousillon. L had "Supreme de Bar Croustillant aux Amandes, Sauce Ravigote" accompanied by a glass of Sancerre Red. This is the crispiest croustillant we've ever had.

At this point, Christian comes in the restaurant, stopped by to chat and of course, to give us "des gros bisous" to tell us that Catherine (his wife) will be coming in later to say hello.

Dessert time: Gelee de Marrons for J (a layer of chestnut cream topped by a layer of mascarpone and topped again by a layer of red fruit jelly); and L had Souffle chaud aux sauce caramel de beurre salee - so light is the souffle paired with the richness of the the butter caramel sauce - just right as before the desserts were serve Catherine Constant came in abd bought us more Demoiselle Parisienne and presented J with one of the aprons from the restaurant. That would make a great souvenir to take back to North Carolina. And a great way to end the afternoon.

On to our new gorgeous apartment - Cotes du Rhone of Paris Perfect. I think we'll stay in now for the rest of our trip. It is so beautiful!!!!

More later.........

a bientot et bisous de Paris......

Joan et Lilia

We were up and off this morning with petite dejeuner at Cafe Constant..croissants and cafe creme and conversation with Nicolai. Did some laundry and were off to St. Sulpice and holiday marche opening. We shopped around the area and Grande Epicerie for some goodies. Lunch in the area...some pics added below...

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Foie gras et figues, verre de Sauternes. Galantine de canarad pistachee, verre de Pinot Noir. Poilane toast.

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Now those are what you can really call chunks of cheese!!

Tonight we will be going to Fables de la Fontaine...

a bientot..............

We just came back from the new Jacques Genin boutique at 133 rue de Turenne in the 3rd. Almost fainted when we didn't see the mangue/fruit dela passion flavor on the counter but we had to ask. Imagine coming all the way from San Francisco and going home without her favorite caramels which she first tasted at Le Comptoir (Yves Camdeborde - mango flavor only). Guess what? It was in the refrigerated section. As explained it is so light and delicate in flavor that those caramels need to be refrigerated.

With the new, beautiful shop with modern clean lines, his prices went way up. Caramels are 110 euros/kilo; nougats are 130 euros/kilo. The chocolates we tasted wwere divine but the caramels, we've never tasted anything like it. Monsieur Le Roux, move over. Believe me, these caramels have the lightest most delicate feel in one's mouth. BRAVO, MONSIEUR GENIN!!!!

a bientot et bisous de Paris.....

Joan and Lilia

Here is a picture out our window of ET and the Monaco Royal Apartments with the Royal Crest on the balconies....

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Roberta,

Lilia does not write anything while dining. She remembers it all..the pictures do help her memory...

a bientot.............

You two certainly have the world by the tail over there!!! I've already gained 10 pounds just looking at the pictures!

Are you taking pictures of the new apartment? We ("I") would love to see it.

It appears the lights are on in the "royal apartment." Is Caroline in residence? Maybe she will invite our "bon vivants" for a holiday champagne!!!

Thanks to both of you so much for taking the time to post what you're doing, taking pictures, etc., so we can all travel with you vicariously!

Enjoy! (although I don't think I need to tell either of you that!!!) What a lifetime friendship that is beginning between the two of you!

Hi Joy,

Here is what Madelyn had sent to me before it was finished...it does not show the master B/R. It is large and very nice. Everything is lovely..we are living well!!

Caroline seems to leave a light on all the time. Have not seen her around..she will be sorry to mis our whing ding on Friday..

We are having fun together..too bad you couldn't join us...when will you be in Paris? I will be back mid April..expect everything to just continue!!

Will post Fables later, with pictures...

a bientot et bisous de Paris....

Joan and Lilia

PS - And I will be crying in San Francisco in April... but at least I will have a new granddaughter.....

Joan & Lilia,
As I told you earlier, I am very impressed with Lilia's attention to detail!! Waiting for your next course by course presentation (I am pretty hungry right now so please hurry).

You should tape a note to Princess Caroline's door, inviting her over. Hey, if her balcony door is ever open you can probably shout out your invite!

By the way, those royal crests would certainly make a great souvenir. I know just the place for it in my home. I'm sure no one will mind if one is missing. Hmmm, how do we accomplish this...

Enjoy!!!

-Roberta

Roberta - we were up very late last night..met a couple from Bern at Les Fables and we invited them to have coffee at the apartment. Actually, we wanted them to show us how to use the Nespresso machine (LOL!)

Bonjour de Paris!

Dinner at Les Fables de la Fontaine. It will always have the Constant touch. Cold evening but no wind so walking La Bourdonnais and rue Constant part of rue Saint Dominique was great for window shopping. Spotted a magnum of La Grande Dame but just ignored the widow Clicquot and went to 131 rue Constant/rue Saint Dominique.

Still thinking of La Grande Dame which does not match the pocketbook, we opted for 2 flutes of Demoiselle Parisienne. Hey, any sparkling wine would fill the longing at this point (LOL!).

Mme. J had the huitres speciales Gillardeau numero 3 (we surmised that was plumper and bigger that numero 1...) and that was delicieux. Mme. L had a Bouillon leger d'Ossau Irraty, gambas rotie au lard, creme glacee au piquillo. That was one lovely dish - a round piece of the Basque cheese topped with a large roasted prawn, topped again by an oval scoop of frozen creme of piquillos (a Basque red pepper), all floating in a light bouillon with a slight foam. That could have been dinner but we have to conitnue, n'est-ce pas?

There was something in their menu we have not seen before: "Maigre de chalut, croustillants de topinambours et chataignes, jus au chorizo". We both had to order that one! Maigre is a deep-water fish, a sort of cross between a bass and a sea bream; firm in texture with a deep-sea taste to it. Chalut is a small fast boat that fishermen take for deep-sea fishing. The maitre-d was very pleased to explain to us and he enjoyed coming by every once in a while and making sure les mesdames are alright. With all that, forgot to ask what a topinambour was but it had the taste of patate douce; together with the pieces of chestnuts inside the croustillant (they came like a couple of large nems) made the dish more delightful - salty, sweet, crunchy and slight bitter taste from the green herbs added to the plate. WOW, I'd like to have that one again. a big BRAVO to Sebastien et David(Fables two chefs).

Riz au lait a la confiture de figues, creme legere de pain d'epices pour Mmme. J. It would be a shame to translate that to just plain Rice Pudding, don't you think? Gateau Basque was on offer that night pour Mme. L which, of course, does not need translating.

We have invited the Swiss couple from Bern sitting next to us at dinner for coffee and some of the best caramels (my humble opinion). It is from the new shop of Jacques Genin at 133 ru de Turenne on the 3rd. IT IS WORTH THE SPLURGE!

a bientot et bisous de Paris......

Joan and Lilia

wonderful report! I love the food descriptions.

Glad you had a good experience at Violon d'Ingres. It was one of the greatest disappointments for us two years ago. Just a bad night - Nothing seemed to work.

topinambour = Jerusalem artichoke

Pictures from Fables:

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Pics from Galeries Lafayette:

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Fauchon

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Hello Joan & Lilia,
It was great talking to you today!!As I told you earlier, it seems you never had a mediocre meal! Those oysters look divine.

-Roberta

We went out and strolled down the streets..difficult to take pics with people and cars...

One looking across street to Plaza Athenee Hotel

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Today, we were amidst the Embassy people; several business lunchers; shoppers and two visitors from the good U.S. of A. The setting is an old classic Burgundian Bistro on the rue Boisy d'Anglas.

The service was good, food was classic (just like your Aunt's which is what we expect from Tante Louise, oui?) and the people watching was excellent!

Little bites of saumon fumee and creme fraiche accompanied our coupe de champagne which we continued to drink with our entrees, Mme. J having the "Marbre de rouget et pommes de terre larde". This is a terrine of fish and thin slices of potatoes larded so the appearance is marbelized. Mme. L had the "Ravioles de Royan au jus de poulette, creme de champignons. This are very tiny raviolis filled with cheese and mushrooms, finished off with creme if mushrooms and light chicken stock.

With the plats principal, we had glasses of Santenay (1er Cru) which has been bottled for Bernard Loiseau. That went well with "Supreme de volaille poche, legumes au bouillon" for Mme. J and a "Blanquette de veau a l'ancienne, riz pilaw" pour Mme. L. These are classical french dishes sthat do not need translating.

For dessert, we had "Clafoutis de noix de macadamia et poire" and "Panna cotta aux fruits exotiques". With our coffe, came a plate of mignardises - pates de fruits, mini financiers and caramels (unfortunately not in the class of Jacques Genin caramels...)

The sun was shining and it is a good afternoon to walk and see some of the stalls at the Champs Elysees Marche de Noel. We were at the opening of the Saint Sulpice Market which is much better than the one in the Champs Elysees.

a bientot et bisous de Paris.....

Joan and Lilia

luvparee,

You can pass on this thread to the OPF site if they want to see all the pictures from our adventures.Some have asked about pictures Takes time to post them to every site.

Joan and Lilia

We were off this morning for our petite dejeuner nearby and then on the the marche for our party items. Only Champagne and pistacios. We don't want to spoil our dinner later.

Lilia headed off to do her last minute shopping for her very special items to take back to CA. I did some things around the apartment and then went to Les Cocottes for lunch..had a cocotte. I then wandered around the area looking for ways to spend money!! Guess what..I found two more scarves..only 9.90 euros each!! I have one on for this evening..in the lavender shades of course..anything in a purple is definitely the "in" color!!

More later..with pictures...we are having so much fun..can you tell??

a bientot........

Joan

We will head over to Cafe Max a bit after 9..gather around the bar with wine and more chit chat before sitting down for fun and games. We do have some fun things planned. You will see some pictures later

Here are some pictures from last night:

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Cafe Max at 7, avenue de la Motte Picquet, an old fashioned bistrot that excudes a lot of charm. The place is so much fun with the owner having the most fantastic sense of humor. Joan was trying to present him with the whimmy diddle (this is a North Carolina specialty fun game) and a gift of an Indian headband with a big red feather on it but Valdo said, "Later, I'm busy now feeding you.........".

Rilletes of pork with some polane toasts showed up for our amuse bouche. Valdo then prepared some oeufs broullee truffee (with large shavings of black truffles), again served with poilane toasts. For several of us, this was followed by pappardelle (wide Italian pasta) trufee (again with lasrge shavings of blck truffles). This is to be La Nuit Truffee for us.... Others ordered quenelles de supreme de volailles (a Lyonaisse specialy of pached dumpling usually made of fish called brochet and served with a sauce with whole or large pieces of eccrevises). We drank several bottles of Bordeaux with this. I don't know how many bottles we drank but it seemed a lot..... Several had mini baba au rhum for dessert. The bottle of Bacardi arrived at the table which made everybody laughed........ A couple of us ordered the fins tarte aux pommes servi avec glace a la vanille (finely sliced apple tarte with vanilla ice cream). The tarte was garnished with a criss-cross of caramel sauce - delicieous!

When the meal was served, Valdo came back for his whimmy diddle - Joan being a good teacher (she is the only one from N.C. in this group).

This group of Fodorites are Joan, Weekender and Framboise. All-ready-to-go and her friend did not make it as they were catching a cold and are supposed to fly out early in the morning. The rest of the group are a French-German couple friends of Framboise and a French couple friens of Joan; one of whom is the owner of Flirt The (the e is supposed to have an accent which means tea in french). Another couple friends of Framboise from Australia had drinks with us earlier.

All in all, a very fun evening followed by a very cold walk back to the apartment.

A bientot et bisous de Paris.......

It seems you ladies are continuing to have a blast. I've met Valdo and he is alot of fun! Wish I could be there. Enjoy your last days in Paris, vacation is almost over. BOO!!!

-Roberta

Voila le dernier repas (The Last Supper!)!!!! Does this call for a big cry????

We had such a great time last week at l'Obelisque that we cancelled our lunch at Drouant to have our last in the Crillon. Joan has sent an e-mail to the hotel telling them what great service we had the last time so we were welcomed with open arms upon arrival. We were seated at the same table.

Quelle surprise! We ordered champagne for our aperitif and when it came, we were told that they are compliments of the Crillon!! Taittinger, they were!!!!!!

Mme. J started with Huitres de chez Gillsrdeau - the fattest oysters and most delicious ones you'd find. It is even fatter than the ones served at Les Fables de la Fontaine. Mme. L had her last Foie Gras de canard de Landes (she just have to have them) sprinkled with some poivre noir et sel de Guerande.

For the plat principal, Mme. J has a Homard en salade, mangue, coeur de iceberg, vinaigrette curry (her favorite thing to order in this place). A glass of 2007 Alsace Riesling Cuvee Albert accompanied the lobster. Mme. L had a Gigot d'agneau en tranche (bien rose), haricot coco piments. A glass of 2000 Pessac Leognan, Chateau Olivier was a good dmatch with the lamb.

Charlotte Poire/Caramel for Mme. J and Millefeuille a la Vanille <Bourbon> for Mme. L and coffee after finished off the meal, accompanied by a plate of mignardise - mini macarons au caramel de beuerre salee et des quelques chocolats.

An old man across the room and directly facing Lilia, thought that the two ladies across the room was watching him. He told our waiter that he thought we had our eye on him (the waiter said "he wished!!!"). It turned out that he's been lunching there for over 20 years, he is 94 years old and has been a widower for 15-----. When he stood up, waved to us goodbye,he really looked 94........ Joan will have a date with him when she gioes back in the Spring. That would be a lot of fun to see what he can do when they converse with Joan's less that passable french!!!!

That's all for now.............

Pictures are coming later from Joan -- I will post mine when I get home.

a bientot et au revoir!!!

JOAN ET LILIA

Pictures

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Wishing you both a safe trip home. I'm sure the Paris restaurants will miss you & Lilia!

-Roberta

Roberta,
Slightly jetlagged but I'm sure Joan and I are missing our cafe creme and croissants in the morning and of course - all our restaurant meals - now, it is time for work!
Lilia

I am off to Dr. this morning..need more antibiotics and whatever else!

I arrived home, finally, at 7:30 Monday night..walked in took an antibiotic and went to bed! Picked up mail and cats Tues. morning, did some catch up work with mail and all and went to bed. Suitcases have not been touched!

I stopped at Greenberry's and picked up some croissants..not like Parisian...

a bientot....