Thanks, Ira ;;)

Thank you for the reports. All of your posts are a pleasure to read. These were particularly joyful.

Ira, you're a good boy.

Thanks for the great detailed trip report, Ira. Also I am taking notes on the restaurants you tried. I agree with your comments about Vagenende. I liked the authentic decor but did not think the food was good.

What a wonderful report. I just took advantage of the Air France promotion and will be in Paris for Thanksgiving week. Your report and those of others will keep me going until November 22.

Yes, ira, you are as iregeo says, A Good Boy! This is so enjoyable to read, you were in my old neighborhood and I long to be back there too!

I'd second iregio's "good boy," but Scarlett beat me to it! May I "third" it?

Did you have pastrami at Jo Goldenberg? If so , how was it? I want to report back to my husband, who opted for "Hollywood Bagel" instead.

I agree that the decor at Balzar is not very inspiring. I was expecting decor that was more along the lines of Chartier (with food that was much, much better than Chartier). I loved the waiters, though (at both Balzar and Chartier).

Thanks for the report on what sounds like a memorable trip. Happy Mother's Day to your mum and all the others!

LOL, elle, the more the merrier! As a matter of fact, Pup sends his regards to ira from one good boy to another :D

Sorry, ira, I could not resist~

I agree about Vagenende. I watched a friend's "French in Action"and one of the scenes for food is photographed there.

Very inspiring trip report, Ira! How lovely that your family enjoyed traveling together!

If only the Parisians would agree to pave over the Seine, lock up all the knives, and tightly shutter all windows higher than the first floor, I may one day dare to venture there in the company of my own extended, fiendishly combative family.

The big question would be how many of us would make it home again and how many would remain behind, imprisoned or interred.

croque Madame? what are you saying? And it doesn't sound like you??

Great report, Ira!

Musee Jacquemart-Andre was one of the museums that I wanted to visit but didn't get a chance to. Perhaps, next time.. Would you recommend the brunch there?

I am also taking my 77 y/o mother to Italy in June. This is her first trip ever to Europe. How did she fair w/ jet-lag issues? Recovered pretty quickly? thx.

Ah, it's not that bad, Cigalechanta! I've just spent a full day and half the night with both my 17 and 11 year old grandchildren.

The first, a girl, and the second, a boy, have grown up nearly as sister and brother. The orphaned 17 year old was left on our doorstep as an infant. Her cousin, the 11 year old, lives nearby.

After a day of their squabbling, surely you would understand the comments I made at midnight. That's why I take them to Paris separately.

At this moment, the 11 year old is grinding his teeth in his sleep because although he went with me last Christmas, October will be his cousin's turn to see Paris.

The 17 year old just handed me the first of my Mother's Day cards, a hand drawn illustration of the Eiffel Tower with words written inside the card that remind me why I put up with these two enfants terribles.

Well, You deserve a great HAPPY MOTHER'S DAy....and
I enjoy your posts so much.

Thanks Ira for the great succinct but info packed report. Always love to hear about the meals (drool-drool) and prices as well as impressions.

Brought back great memories. Second/third the food opinions...fond memories of a late night meal (last table sat) at Vagenende and having that gorgeous place basically all to ourselves. Very pleased that the staff had the courtesy to not rush us either. Amorino's gelato is the best, c'est vrai. And while I know some pooh-pooh Leon de Bruxelles, this one on Blvd St. Germain has become a regular of ours for that affordable-meal-at-any-hour need. Their creme brulee is one of the best I've ever had. Now that I know we share the same tastes, I'll have to try the other eateries you mention! Next time you're "dans le coin" try Le Be-Bop on Gregoire de Tours (just off r. Buci) for great food and piano playing - menu 26 euros.

I, too, am interested in hearing more on how your mother fared energy-wise and her thoughts and impressions since it was her first trip. Thanks again!

Great post for Mother's Day. Can't believe your mother went to the Turkish toilet out back. Glad your poison ivy didn't slow you down.

Thanks, Cigalechanta! It's just that the boy is jealous because the girl gets to live with the fabulous grandparents and the girl is jealous because the boy DOESN'T have to live with old fogey grandparents!

Ira, apologies for hijacking your own, very much more interesting thread. Please convey my admiring Mother's Day wishes to your intrepid Mom.

Back to you. We want to hear lots more!

Hi all,

Good of you to reply.

Happy Mother's Day, as appropriate.

My Mom says "Thanks" to you all.

petite: Sunday Brunch at the J-A is worth the price IF you like coddled egg. I'm not sure if they also do the lunch menu on Sunday.

We went for Saturday Lunch because I didn't want to subject my sister to seeing a soft-boiled egg.

Grandmere: The hitherto undiscovered restaurants are a result of my very carefully researched dining choices having bombed.

I learned that when bringing picky eaters to Paris one has to introduce them to things they are familiar with - Italian, Greek, Chinese - before they will consider exotic dishes like "poulet fermiere", "confit de canard", "choucroute", etc.

Elle: Jo Goldenberg's delicatessen is much milder in flavor than those of us who are from New York are used to. The pastrami was what I think they call "smoked meat" in Montreal. Rather lean, very thin slices and fairly bland.

Also, they don't make real bagels.

Klondike: Be-Bop was on my list, but was scrubbed, along with some other places that I would have preferred.

How did Mom deal with jet lag, walking, etc?

First day, we got to the hotel about 3:00, unpacked and walked about the neighborhood, washed up and went to dinner. In bed about 9:00.

Second day, up at 7:45 for breakfast. No jet lag. I think that she was rather tired out by the end of this day's walking tour.

Third day, we took a rest stop for about 10 min every hour or less. This was much easier on her, although she insisted it wasn't necessary.

Her major problem was climbing stairs at some of the metro stops.

Just plan for lots of rest breaks.

Mom's impressions of Paris: She found it overwhelmingly wonderful.

For all of you who are thinking about taking elderly parents to Europe: I suggest that you do it. Just slow down the pace.

I also suggest that, if they are not regular travelers, 7 - 10 days is about the right time frame.

Ira,
Thanks for all the suggestions. You <b>are</b> a good sport.

I've been contemplating taking my recently widowed mother to Europe, but I've been worried about some of those issues, and your report gives me hope that it just might work.

Now if I can just convince her to go! She has the mindset of &quot;Oh, I don't need (deserve) to go on any big trip like that.&quot;

I'll keep working on her!

Hi Marcy,

Of course, she should go.

How long were you planning for? If she has not done much traveling 3 weeks would seem like a verrrryyyyy long time.

Get her a few guidebooks.

Look forward to your trip report.