Joan

I like your style. I want to be like you when I grow up.

I go to Paris in September, but after reading your reports I wish I was going in June. Thank you for sharing.

Very nice lunch, Joan. Hope the chicken soup (or chardonnay) helped your cold! What's on the agenda in Sancerre?

And yes, Weekender, it DOES count.
In my home, anyway...

-Roberta

Roberta, My friends Jean-Paul and Martine will pick me up at Disney( I will take the RER there) and we will head for Sancerre. Jean-Paul knows many vineyard owners and buys his wine there...we will be doing that and will have lunch in Sancerre and probably dinner somewhere before the day or night ends!

a bientot..

Joan

Joan - Have a good time in Sancerre (as if you needed to be reminded). Please tell Jean-Paul and Martine I am sorry to have missed them in December. Maybe next time. Are they coming back to Paris with you? You certainly have enough room, I think!

About your cold, I hope you carried something to take care of it. I remember how miserable you were last time but at least you have a few days to get better before getting into that miserable plane. Take care of yourself!

Chez Les Anges meal looked delicious! (So are all your meals). Did you sit at that beautiful bar beforehand? You know, I think I might have gained several pounds just looking at all your photos.

Sunday is coming up - are you still on a date with our friend at The Crillon? I just looked at the picture I took of him so I will just imagine him sitting next to you....... Then GTG with Florent and Michael. Please convey my bisous all around.

I would have loved to cook in that kitchen at the Fleurie (drinking a glass of Fleurie, no doubt)!

bisous, bisous,

Lilia

Hi Lilia,

You would have enjoyed the holiday at the Ritz Bar Vendome. A good spot!

You were always going to cook at the Cote de Rhone, but we always went out. You wouldn't cook here, either!

I do like this apartment. It is so spacious, and all the PP amenities, of course. Comfortable in every way and the ET right outside, too. Could there be more?

You have my 6 weeks dates for fall and my month dates for next Spring now. All you have to do is tell me you will be here, too. I will have room for you!

a bientot...

Joan

Roberta:

Joan did ask me what the contraption was in the kitchen. I gently informed her that it is commonly known as a stove.

a bientot..

All right you two!! You will think this funny, though.

The PP young man moved me and the cleaners were finishing up here when we arrived. After all had left and I went in the kitchen there was a machine that had hot air blowing out of it. By a process of elimination, I decided that it was the oven! I called Carolyn and she said she would send someone right over..the office is 5 minutes away. The cute gal came and we decided that the cleaners had clicked on for the oven to clean. I had pushed some buttons..wasn't sure if I wanted to tell her that....she got it to go off, but it kept coming back on with heat coming out. Figured out that it had to do that off and on in its cooling off process.

I never use my oven, so never have to clean it....

a bientot...

Joan

Sure, Joan, blame it on the cleaners! I like that you described the stove as a "machine".

Have fun in Sancerre!

-Roberta

Had quite a day today. I took the #82 bus from here to Etoile in minutes, walked across street and down to RER. I bought my one way ticket to Marne-la-Vallee-Chessy. My timing was good as the train arrived in a few minutes. It took close to 45 min. to get to Disney..I was early. I called my friends and that had not left yet. I waited and watched all these people rushing to Disney! To each his own!

My friends arrived and we were off. Don't ask where all..in Sancerre country, with Sancerre itself being last. Jean-Paul has places that he goes for buying his wine and where he says is some of best goat cheese that you can buy.

We stopped at a cute place along the Lorre for lunch. Some pics to follow. They had their two dogs with them. We went to several vineyards and bought wine and then to the goat cheese place. Also visited the goats and took some pictures..have nver seen so many goats..they were friendly little critters!
We ended up in Sancerre and walked the village and bought more wine!

We left there and back to my apt. It was 7:30 by this time. They had to get back home to their guests. They came up to take a look at this apt. We visited a bit and planned for me to spend a week at one of their beautiful Alsace places in Nov. when I will be back. That will be nice. A nice day.


http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...00_00012-1.jpg
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...00_00022-3.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...000_0005-7.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...00_00062-1.jpg newborn with mama

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...000_0007-6.jpg just a few of them!!
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...000_0008-4.jpg a street in Sancerre village

a bientot...

Joan

Hi GraceJoan--I noticed u were from NC in a previous post--is that right? We are from Winston-Salem and head out on the 13th to Paris--your posts have been so much fun--we will be staying in Montparnasse this trip (unusual for us as we normally stay in the 7th)--but we got a very good arrangement in the 14th (I think I mentioned that it is the same hotel where I spent my first nite in Paris upon arriving to study in France)--anyway, we will be scooting around to lots of places. I was wondering if you had gone to any markets this time--and any art shows--I know there is an outdoor one on Sundays at the Montparnasse gare--will be bringing layers--note that the evenings are still quite cool. Have you discovered any particlularly good cafes for lunch time salads? We usually eat lightly at lunch and would love any particular finds in that regard. Thank you for all your interesting reports.

Joan, it sounds as though you had a very nice day; Sancerre is a charming village, isn't it? My stay there was very enjoyable, and I learned to like the crottin de Chavignol. I wonder if you visited the same goat farm that I did?

Sue

susan. I can't imagine not liking crottin... but I must admit by choice I only eat goat cheese which I believe is healthier for you. I love goat milk but must go out of my way to whole foods (not close to me as a non driver)I've stayed happily at two goat farms in France!

I think goat cheese tastes a lot better in France than here in US.
Must have been fun staying on goat farms, Mimi; have you ever written about those experiences here?

For RobynFrance: One of our favorite dining spots in Montparnasse is Montparnasse 1900, 59 Boulevard du Montparnasse (across the street from Tour Montparnasse), an Art Nouveau gem (especially the rest rooms). Wonderful composed salads. When we were there, they offered one with apples, roquefort, candied nuts...and a dressing I wish I could duplicate.

http://www.gerard-joulie.com/montparnasse.htm

The outdoor tables are also pleasant.

Good Morning,

I slept well!!

Yes, Robyn I live in Asheville, NC..lovely Asheville. You should let me know if you are coming my way sometime, and we could get together.I am leaving here on the 13th. I guess our planes will pass in opposite directions.

The weather has been very changeable. Layers definitely. I have decided to come for the month of May next year. The holidays are not really that much of a problem, as long as you are aware of them, and plan accordingly...don't get stuck way off some place without transportation, due to any manifestations!!

RE Salads: I find I can get good salads most any place..I go to Les Cocottes, Cafe Max, I just tell Valdo to fix me a good salad, and they are always great. The Petit Sud Ouest has great salads. You should be able to find them easily.

I went to the Prresident Wilson market for the first time. I had been told that it was a good one..it is, too. I don't cook, so I just look!

I did not take in any art shows this trip. Lots of things always on my list and so often get side tracked with other things.

The goat farm might have been in Bue. We were in and out of so many villages. Jean-Paul seems to know his way around all these villages..don't know how!

Don't know if any of you are interested in Alsace..it is so easy to get to now with the TGV from CDG..simple arrival etc. Here is the site from my friend's places. They are beautiful..the site also has their places north of PAris, too..
http://www.vrbo.com/global/siteFrame...urnurl=/181770

Grandmere has rented one for fall. I was there before all their construction and will be there in Nov, with them. They do everything in very nice ways. I can compare them with Paris Perfect, with the same quality and niceness.

Off to what may be a fun time at the Crillon today..will see what I do after my dining!!

a bientot...

Joan

I forgot to mention weather. You still need light coats. Yesterday we ran into light rain..more of a mist. It does get chilly. Glad to have my coat. In the morning it was definitely needed and chilly when I got to Disney.

I am taking my coat with me today, too. Better more than enough, than not enough!I look down on the streets and most have light coats. Some rain predicted for later and next few days...but the weather forecasts change very quickly, as does the weather.

a bientot....

Joan

Joan, thanks so much for the tips. We normally come up to the mountains a few times during the summer months, often stay with friends in Blowing Rock and sometime head to Asheville which we love. Let us know how to get in touch with you and we may see if it works for us some time. Same for u in Winston-if u head this way. We booked shuttle--inter--and I just sent them a note that u had recommended. I hope they give us the discount --wasn't sure what name to say so I said Grace Joan. You can send me an email at RobynFrance at-use sign-gmail.com

Amitiés,
Robyn France

DJBooks--that looks like a gorgeous restaurant and perhaps we can go--do you mind giving me an idea of prices--they don't post them on the website--but if it is in the range, we would love to try it--what gorgeous art nouveau details. Many thanks.

I must say that my l'Obe (formerly l'Obelisque)was as I have come to know..super!! I am known and so well treated. I again had complimentary Taittinger champagne..white or pink..23 an 28 respectively on their printed menu. I was also asked if I wanted some complimentary side dishes..a 2nd dessert, and they just automaticly re-filled my glass of wine. That's a lot of freebies!!

The old gentleman was there and we exchanged toasts to one another. He stopped by my table momentarily on his way out.

My server is Frederic or Frederico..he wears glasses and works Wed-Sun. Ask for him and mention my name. I did give him the name of some other good friends who I believe will be there this trip. He asked for it to be able to register it, which he did. Not sure what this does for them. I will pass it on.

This was the only time that I have seen a child in a nice restaurant with bad manners. I am usually impressed with them. This was not a young, young one..must have been about 8. Still only easts with her fingers/hands. But, I then also observed the manners of the parents, and understood why! These were not French. I would hesitate to say where they might have been from, as I would not want to insult anyone!

I will add some pictures....

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...00_00013-1.jpg This was a crayfish, coddled egg, spinach thin in the two bowls..delicious

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j.../000_00023.jpg thsi was John Dorry with lentils..you had another choice

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j.../000_00033.jpg this was a raspberry thing..I wa asked if I wanted a 2nd!!

I also had capuccino...

I bid my farewells for this trip and will be in touch with them prior to my Nov. stay.....

a bientot...

Joan

I have had the place in Alsace bookmarked for a few years, on your recommendation, but still haven't made it back to that area, the places still look beautiful and I want to go! They really did a nice job of remodeling, I'm glad to hear you compare it to PP!