Hello Joan, I am enjoying your reports every day. It puts me in the mood for our arrival on Tuesday.
I read that you went wine and champagne shopping and wondering where do you go for that as champagne is our drink of choice when in Paris.
thanks

Bonjour Joan,
Your reports are so lovely and inspiring. I was researching PP and came across your recommendations and we are booking with them for late May. I will return my hundred dollars worth of guidebooks and print out your reports instead-this is all one could need!
BTW: have you ever been in PP Syrah? Is Le train bleu worth eating in or is it all about the decor?
Merci Beaucoup for all the information and Paris charm.
-Marie

bleuzebu: I have eaten at Le Train Bleu. I thought the food was quite good and of course, as you are aware, the decor is gorgeous. If there weren't so many great restaurants in Paris for me to explore yet, I would consider eating there again.

Thanks for the fabulous food pictures Joan. I am getting so hungry for those beautiful plates of French food.

The train bleu has improved from previous years.

I just looked at their website. Gorgeous!!!

Is there a bar? Could we go in for just a glass of wine and maybe split an appetizer? Or would that be frowned upon?

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/319611

Yes. I think there is a bar where you can have a drink. However, splitting appetizers in such a fancy place might be frowned upon--even at the bar. I am not an expert though in these things so someone else should feel free to give their thoughts.

Thank you for tips on Le Train Bleu. I have it on my "must see" list as I go a bit mad for interior design in that period. Paris will be heaven for me no doubt.
Joans extensive food imagery already has us drooling on the keyboard, perhaps we should bring a size larger in pants to leave room for the weight we will gain! LOL! Speaking of...can anyone confirm that jeans are ok dans Paris?

Thank you, mimi & ILWParis. I think drinks will be the plan, and then we 'll see how we feel. And how much money we have left!

Back again Joan, thanks again for the photo of the millefeuille at Le Florimonde -my sister Pam sent the following email after I sent her the link to your photo:

Deb,
I had to laugh!!! You just brought back some fabulous memories for me, I LOVED that dessert and I LOVED that restaurant and I LOVED getting kissed on both cheeks by a Frenchman! I miss Paris and I miss spending time with you and again, a million times thank you!!!!
Pam
P.S. I knew I should have taken a photo of the food!!!!

We had a huge debate over whether it was ok for her to take photos of the food that evening - I said no - she had a camera in her hand almost constantly so I asked for a photo-free night!

Thanks again for taking the time to post. I also just saw your post about the restaurant on rue Amelie - that's where we stayed! Can't believe we walked right by that one. You need to write a guide to that neighborhood!

Debra

I had dinner at Le Train Bleu on Monday evening. I had white asparagus to begin and cod with lots of great vegetables for my main course, and one of my favorites for dessert, Oeufs a la Neige. It's a lovely place to go for a special meal.

A lot of overnight activity. I will see where to begin!

The crab salad was a "starter" per CC menu wording. You can always order only starters or whatever.

Mobileoneforfun: You have probably heard from PP by now. If they are filled for your time, I like www.parisvacationapartments.com Nice couple. Only thing is that tey don't have anything in the area that I prefer to stay in!

dlejhunt: No way could I eat all of that! I was almost embarrassed when they put it in front of me!

cornelius01: I just went down to r. Cler. A couple good shops there for wine.

bleuzebu: The Syrah is a cute apartment. The balcony is a real plus. Not that common. You can do some r. Cler people watching! Don't worry about noise for sleeping. The toilet location is good if the living room sleeping area is being used. Train Bleu has been responded to by many. It has been a few years since I was there. Others have said the food has improved.

Re jeans in Paris. I wear them most of the time. I buy the Ralph Lauren (when on sale)or Hilfiger etc. in the dark colors. Put a nice jacket or top with them, add a scarf and voila, you look fine. Obviously, I do not wear them to fine dining places.

Looks like another gorgeous day..blue sky and the sun is shining across the beautiful buildings of Paris!

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...00_0001-11.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...00_0002-11.jpg

elsiejune: you will have the same views from Pinot.

a bientot....

Joan

Hi Joan, Love the shots of apartments. They capture nicely a sense of Paris.
DH and I had lunch at Train Bleu in September. We had to wait in lounge for table and as we sat and drank and chatted, a cat walked by. Certainly gave us a giggle!
We gave the food a B+ and were glad we had lunch there rather than dinner as it was close to 100 euros. Beautiful surroundings, great service. And, maitre d' treated us as royals, not the jean-clad, luggage toting tourists we were.
Enjoying your running report!

No lunch today. Just stopped and bought an ice cream cone. Going out to dinner, l'Ami Jean. Will take pictures.

I did take this picture of these doors on Grenelle:

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...e/100_0181.jpg

The weather is perfect!!

a bientot...

Joan

There are hundreds of things I love about Paris. One of those is most certainly the fantastic doors! Thanks Joan. I really enjoyed seeing those doors.

I glad to hear you will try chez jean again before you said you and Jim were not impressed.

Thank you, Joan, for the link to the paris vacation apartments website. The apartments look absolutely stunning! But alas, they are completely booked as well. Have you (or anyone on this thread) ever dealt with Paris be a part of it all rentals? Apart from the cheesy name, they seem to be legitimate and still have some availability. I don't get the well cared for feeling from them as I do from PP, but I am down to the wire now and must find something!

Any thoughts would be gratefully appreciated!!

Kimberly

Mobile1: You may want to consider www.vacationinparis.com

You can find out availability for your dates for their properties with one inquiry/phone call.

The good places do fill early. As soon as people leave from current trip and arrive home they have post Paris depression. They quickly help this by making their reservations and plans for next trip.

I have my fall grip Nov 2nd to Dec 14 all set. I am now looing at Spring of 2010.

Pictures of tonight and report to follow in morning...

a bientot...

Josn

Joan, I loved those doors with the lizard on them, they were right at the end of our street (rue Amelie). Going to send that link along to my sister, as well.

It's like we're neighbors, sort of - we just live in "our" neighborhood at different times.

Debra