Dolce Far Niente....the sweetness of doing nothing (well almost) in Paris
Jan 4th, 2015, 09:14 AM
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TPAYT---you will love bar de cuisine. It is owned by and next door to Poilane. They also serve breakfast. Worth a visit. Ok, good to know I shoulda got the chicken at L'Atelier Maitre Albert.... I rarely over chicken at a restaurant. The weather was warmer than expected for winter and quite a few showers. Only the last day or two were flat out cold.
2010, we had no issues at the airport last year to do the paperwork for the VAT refund. It was our first experience with it. Curious to see how it turns out this year as our flight was so early and it appears that is it all automated now??? Two of our receipt bar codes didn't scan and thee was no one to ask....we always choose to have the refund go back to the credit card we use. With this two, I am afraid we won't see a refund. The first item scanned fine but the other two never did and we tried several kiosks and even another traveller tried it. It isn't hard to find the stations at the airport, though and may be at a later hour there might be some one to assist. It may be worth it depending on what you buy. As far as dining, even the worst meals in Paris aren't that bad and there is always something good around the corner, for sure.
2010, we had no issues at the airport last year to do the paperwork for the VAT refund. It was our first experience with it. Curious to see how it turns out this year as our flight was so early and it appears that is it all automated now??? Two of our receipt bar codes didn't scan and thee was no one to ask....we always choose to have the refund go back to the credit card we use. With this two, I am afraid we won't see a refund. The first item scanned fine but the other two never did and we tried several kiosks and even another traveller tried it. It isn't hard to find the stations at the airport, though and may be at a later hour there might be some one to assist. It may be worth it depending on what you buy. As far as dining, even the worst meals in Paris aren't that bad and there is always something good around the corner, for sure.
Jan 4th, 2015, 09:23 AM
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Denise,
Last February we were able to get the VAT paperwork done at the airport. We went to the booth that was manned. When you make those purchases at Chanel the refund is worth the trouble to get it. I hope you get all of yours back.
Lisa
Last February we were able to get the VAT paperwork done at the airport. We went to the booth that was manned. When you make those purchases at Chanel the refund is worth the trouble to get it. I hope you get all of yours back.
Lisa
Jan 4th, 2015, 04:46 PM
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Enjoying your report Denisea. That is too bad about the disappointing meal at l'Atelier Maitre Albert. I've never been there. But I've had some really wonderful meals and service at Les Bouquinistes (another Guy Savoy).
Food reports are the best! Looking forward to more.
Food reports are the best! Looking forward to more.
Jan 5th, 2015, 02:33 AM
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Denise
I am just now reading your report - I got to the shower dx - wow. That is not a cheap apartment, either.
Bathrooms are paramount for me. I will take a spacious, well-lit, well-appointed bathroom over a large kitchen any day of the week.
Back to reading...
I am just now reading your report - I got to the shower dx - wow. That is not a cheap apartment, either.
Bathrooms are paramount for me. I will take a spacious, well-lit, well-appointed bathroom over a large kitchen any day of the week.
Back to reading...
Jan 5th, 2015, 05:47 AM
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ps. I am famously bad about remembering the VAT stuff at the airport, even though I am both always early, and, have frequently spent enough money to make a difference when the times comes for a refund. Which makes it hurt when I am finally in line to board and remember DARN IT I didn't take care of the VAT when I got in!
Jan 5th, 2015, 01:56 PM
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Thanks ya'lll...always fun to engage and recognize our similar styles. I hope to get the food tour stuff up soon. My pesky new job left me no time to do that today! 
I will admit buying a new suitcase last year to bring home the loot...but I use it every week and it was a great purchase for someone who travels constantly.
The bathroom was great otherwise, fly girl. Last year's apt (Seyssel) was better and this would have been perfect if we were not of somewhat normal heights!! Passable for me but poor Chaz! I felt awful since I always book the apartment. We both looked at it and agreed but who knew?? As Gilda Radnor always said, "it's always something"
I will admit buying a new suitcase last year to bring home the loot...but I use it every week and it was a great purchase for someone who travels constantly.
The bathroom was great otherwise, fly girl. Last year's apt (Seyssel) was better and this would have been perfect if we were not of somewhat normal heights!! Passable for me but poor Chaz! I felt awful since I always book the apartment. We both looked at it and agreed but who knew?? As Gilda Radnor always said, "it's always something"
Jan 5th, 2015, 05:19 PM
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Monday, December 22 2014 Part One
We always sleep much later in Paris than we ever do at home and I can’t say I mind, at all. We headed down to le Bonaparte for our breakfast and it’s fun to window shop on the way. Chaz has spotted some nice stuff in a jewelry store window and actually is encouraging me to buy more jewelry. I am good and today’s shopping is really about him today.
Today will be our last day with Pierre for a few days, as he will be off the next 2 days. Nice for him and well deserved! Today is a pain au chocolat day for us and I think Chaz may have had 3 double espressos to get going. I do love the fresh orange juice in Paris and I am getting that about everyday (and never touch it in the US). I would like to add that I had not gotten a diet coke in Paris to this point. I did have a sip or two in our apartment but have not even finished one (that would change later), but I didn’t horrify any of our AM waiters with a coke light request.
We headed to Chaz’ fantasy store in Paris, Edward Green. He has been coveting these specific shoes from Edward Green for years. And, we decided that if they had them in his size, we would take them home. They did have them and he just had to decide which size was best. The sales man measured Chaz at a size that seemed small for Chaz and so there was a lot of discussion on how the fit should be. Chaz has researched these shoes thoroughly but he couldn’t make a decision. This is a place where we are complete opposites. I quickly make decisions and would rather be wrong than take forever to decide. Chaz? Not so much (and I am the Libra). I decided to go get some much needed cash. Saw a homeless guy pee in the street (on BSG, no less)! Went back to the shop, and the jury was still out. Painful. Eventually, he did decide and went against the sizing the sales man recommended. He was a little bummed that Chaz went against his advice. I didn’t care==we were finally at a decision and I saw public urination. Yippee. Thankfully, they needed taps to be put on and would be ready after Christmas (so no package to lug around).
I wanted to take a look at the area where our food tour was starting that afternoon, Androuet. We found that easily and the went on to find the RER station near D’Orsay
Next up, Creed. Now, if I had been paying attention, there is a Creed in the 6th. I didn’t realize that until after we visited our usual Boutique in the 8th. Another weird RER ride where the train stopped and didn’t go on to the next stop, so we had to walk farther than we planned. Oh well.
I chose Jardin d’Amalfi at Creed this time. They are very good about giving us samples at Creed and they have so many great fragrances. I always enjoy a visit there. But, come on…this stuff is not inexpensive and the have a fragrance for kids now. Really?
Across the street we noticed hediard is gone. I heard they were filing for bankruptcy and I didn't really NEED those brown butter biscuits (but I did want them). We visited Georges V to see their Christmas decorations and they are always interesting. I wish we had stayed for lunch or a drink. I bet Chaz could stand up in the showers at Georges V!!!
We wanted to get back to the 6th for our tour and that didn’t go well. God, sometimes you just can’t find the Metro station you need. We ended up at about the most crowded station around that day. Then we got behind people in line to buy some more Metro tickets who had to have been the most clueless people in Paris. Ya know when you just want to say, give me your money and let me do it for you??? It took forever. Arrggghh. It’s getting late and now we are hungry---train car is crammed full---awesome. We finally made it back but no point in getting lunch this late. We settled in a café across the street from Androuet for a pick me up. My only coke light of the entire trip. It was good but coke light isn’t diet coke. We saw the food tour group gathering across the street, so we headed over and were hoping the tasting would start quickly.
Part two coming—The Paris by Mouth St Germain food tour and Marco Polo.
We always sleep much later in Paris than we ever do at home and I can’t say I mind, at all. We headed down to le Bonaparte for our breakfast and it’s fun to window shop on the way. Chaz has spotted some nice stuff in a jewelry store window and actually is encouraging me to buy more jewelry. I am good and today’s shopping is really about him today.
Today will be our last day with Pierre for a few days, as he will be off the next 2 days. Nice for him and well deserved! Today is a pain au chocolat day for us and I think Chaz may have had 3 double espressos to get going. I do love the fresh orange juice in Paris and I am getting that about everyday (and never touch it in the US). I would like to add that I had not gotten a diet coke in Paris to this point. I did have a sip or two in our apartment but have not even finished one (that would change later), but I didn’t horrify any of our AM waiters with a coke light request.
We headed to Chaz’ fantasy store in Paris, Edward Green. He has been coveting these specific shoes from Edward Green for years. And, we decided that if they had them in his size, we would take them home. They did have them and he just had to decide which size was best. The sales man measured Chaz at a size that seemed small for Chaz and so there was a lot of discussion on how the fit should be. Chaz has researched these shoes thoroughly but he couldn’t make a decision. This is a place where we are complete opposites. I quickly make decisions and would rather be wrong than take forever to decide. Chaz? Not so much (and I am the Libra). I decided to go get some much needed cash. Saw a homeless guy pee in the street (on BSG, no less)! Went back to the shop, and the jury was still out. Painful. Eventually, he did decide and went against the sizing the sales man recommended. He was a little bummed that Chaz went against his advice. I didn’t care==we were finally at a decision and I saw public urination. Yippee. Thankfully, they needed taps to be put on and would be ready after Christmas (so no package to lug around).
I wanted to take a look at the area where our food tour was starting that afternoon, Androuet. We found that easily and the went on to find the RER station near D’Orsay
Next up, Creed. Now, if I had been paying attention, there is a Creed in the 6th. I didn’t realize that until after we visited our usual Boutique in the 8th. Another weird RER ride where the train stopped and didn’t go on to the next stop, so we had to walk farther than we planned. Oh well.
I chose Jardin d’Amalfi at Creed this time. They are very good about giving us samples at Creed and they have so many great fragrances. I always enjoy a visit there. But, come on…this stuff is not inexpensive and the have a fragrance for kids now. Really?
Across the street we noticed hediard is gone. I heard they were filing for bankruptcy and I didn't really NEED those brown butter biscuits (but I did want them). We visited Georges V to see their Christmas decorations and they are always interesting. I wish we had stayed for lunch or a drink. I bet Chaz could stand up in the showers at Georges V!!!
We wanted to get back to the 6th for our tour and that didn’t go well. God, sometimes you just can’t find the Metro station you need. We ended up at about the most crowded station around that day. Then we got behind people in line to buy some more Metro tickets who had to have been the most clueless people in Paris. Ya know when you just want to say, give me your money and let me do it for you??? It took forever. Arrggghh. It’s getting late and now we are hungry---train car is crammed full---awesome. We finally made it back but no point in getting lunch this late. We settled in a café across the street from Androuet for a pick me up. My only coke light of the entire trip. It was good but coke light isn’t diet coke. We saw the food tour group gathering across the street, so we headed over and were hoping the tasting would start quickly.
Part two coming—The Paris by Mouth St Germain food tour and Marco Polo.
Jan 6th, 2015, 04:20 AM
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Thanks Kerouac, I thought that might be the case. We were at Place de la Madeleine but not looking for Hediard, so I didn't notice. They do have some nice goodies but I can live without them, at least for one trip.
Jan 6th, 2015, 10:24 AM
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Really enjoying this, denisea! We lived on Rue du Cherche Midi many moons ago and loved that street. The daughter of a friend was at the Sorbonne so we met her for lunch. We ate at Petit Verdon at #75 on our street--exquisite meals then. Anyone been there lately?
More soon, please!
More soon, please!
