dorie,

Cafe Constant was the Friday night group gathering and pictures. It is a very good place. We cloaed it Friday night and I was there for breakfast on Sat. morning. I go there often..actually I go to all the Constant places regularly on my visits.

Do remember, no reservations..unless 5 of more..closed on Sun/Mon.

The Ritz Hotel Bar Vendome is open pretty much all day and evening for whatever..the Hemingway I would say is a one time thing, but go early..6:30..The Ritz bar is a younger crowd bar.

We have never been to a Constant restaurant so would like to try one. We are only two this trip so we will eat early the night we go. How is their seafood restaurant? We eat mostly fish so that might be a good option for us. Do they take reservations?

Please keep your reports and pictures coming as I love to keep up with what's new and wonderful in Paris.

Hello Joan, thank you for the continuing reports. I was away on a French Immersion Weekend and just got back, it was a great gift to be able to pop back into Paris (at least mentally). A weekend spent speaking French made me long for my favorite city.

I have one question to ask - what exactly does one wear to the Ritz and the Crillon? I am always so intimidated by those places! Kerouac's wonderful "what to wear in Paris" postings are still fresh in my mind, and yes, I know that my money will be welcomed whether I am in Gap or Chanel...but I guess I am just not confident enough to go into those type of places without being properly dressed. Perhaps you might describe what you wear? Clearly you are welcomed and well approved of by all!

No plans to dine at the Ritz right now but I am hoping that I will be able to use your advice next year when I return to Paris to celebrate my cinquantieme anniversaire...

Can't wait to hear about your rendez-vous.

Debra

Dorie

Here is the website for the Constant restaurants:
http://www.leviolondingres.com/eng_ambiance.htm

A lot of information and pictures on the site. Fables has excellent seafood. Reservations for Fables and Violon a must do! Cocottes and Cafe Constant you need to arrive early as they fill up fast.

Debra

Dress for l'Obe and Bar Vendome are nice casual. You will see hotel guests drop in the Bar Vendome dressed quite casual, as it is a place that you can drop in for cafe, light lunch a drink all day..piano player later.

For me..I usually wear black pants, a dressier jacket with color, or a black jacket with colorful scarf..that can do for lunch or dinner. E-mail them for reservations, and then call upon arrival to re confirm.

For thos interested we split our lunch cost at l'Obe yesterday. It was 90 euros each. A far better bargain than the Table Joel Robuchon lunch that was 70 euros with wine. Better in every way, in my opinion!

a bientot....

Joan

<<For me..I usually wear black pants, a dressier jacket with color, or a black jacket with colorful scarf..that can do for lunch or dinner.>>

Same here - black dress or slacks or skirt, beautiful blouse, a bit of jewelry - you can ago anywhere.

This trip, I have a couple short semi fitted silk jackets..one is turquoise and the other rather bright orangey/red.I usually have a little black top under and add a neck scarf, black pants..can go any place. Easy packing, too.

I also bring/wear jeans...The Ralph Lauren or some such and the dark color. I have nice jackets to wear with them and neck scarf...fine for many, many places..when seated, your pants don't show.

My French friends who live in a town n. of Paris with some lovely rentals and absolutely beautiful places in Alsace,travel in jeans and have jackets on back seat that they put on when they stop to go in to eat. He even has a little silk scarf in jacket pocket!

Dress is not a problem to worry that much about...a few simple things. The only one who will get tired of wearing the same thing..is you!! You will not be going to the same place often!

a bientot....

Joan

Joan,

What a Monday morning! Nothing can be more exciting than reading your weekend adventures from Friday night GTG (waaaahh....I wanted to be there!) to meeting your old boyfriend again at l'Obe. I don't know if I like that new name but it is good to know that the quality of food and service has not changed (noticed you had your millefeuille for dessert - looks good with the coulis de framboise on the side). So meeting again leads to a date in two weeks - maybe you can wear that new outfit you wanted to buy - complete with the furry shoes. Don't forget the big lunettes. Careful, you might just give your date a crise cardiac (LOL!)

Foie gras and more foie gras - all that yummy creations make me want to go to Paris. Instead, I am going on a two-day meeting in Oakland, CA (is that depressing or what?)!

So, no activities over at Daniel's new location - I wonder if he is out getting married or something. I know that he and Marie Aude had started dating. I also read someplace that he is a consultant in that hot restaurant in Batignolles area that we did not go to in December - La Bigarrade. I also heard that it is so hot it take a while to get reservations for a table. They serve kind of the same style as Daniel.

bisous and more bisous,

Lilia

I'm totally loving this, thank you so much for posting so much and so often!

Oh, Joan... those meals are making me so hungry! I think the food at Cafe Constant looks magnificent and it seems by your report, it tastes just as wonderful! I am definitely going there on my next trip. L'obe looks great as well.

You are doing a fine job with your picture posting. However, I find myself looking aimlessly in the fridge when I'm done.

Now that you've added an interesting twist to your posts (mysterious French man), I will be paying even closer attention. Enjoy some more Taittinger...

-Roberta

Yesterday was rather a quiet day. I had breakfast at friend Florent's Firt The place. He said we would have another group gathering before I left. Sounds good to me.

I had an email for a lunch with a TA person at Cafe Constant on May 5th. That is set.

Two friends were leaving today, so I called Valdo at Cafe Max for us to have lunch there. Elle wanted to see my apt. and came by here first. I think she has now found a perfect place to stay. Kate wants a change, too and I think I know the one that she would be most happy with.

We walked over to Cafe Max and Kate was there. They both enjoyed the true bistro charm of the place..and Valdo..what can you say..he is Valdo! He always fixes me a wonderful salad and that is what I asked him for..never know what it might have, but excellent. Elle joined me and Kate ordered an Italian dish..Rigatoni(?). Sorry Roberta..forgot to take pictures!We had lots of talk about next trips, lousy air travel etc.

Said goodbyes to Kate..she was off to last day Rodin and I walked with Elle to St. Dominique to locate her #69 bus stop. Said our fond farewells and I returned to my apt. Fed "my" pigeons and caught up on some things. Ended up staying in, weather deteriorated and quite rainy.

Looks grey this morning, but if weather person is correct, it will turn sunny later.

Madelyn is coming on Eurostar today and we will get together for a light/early dinner. Looking forward to our visit

a bientot.....

Joan

Manifestations again today..this one has to do with medical in some way.

I went out for my usual breakfast and then took the bus over to the Bon Marche area. Did a lot of looking/shopping etc. in the area then decided to catch the bus for home! Had to walk! I stopped into Florent's place and had a light meal and came home.

Madelyn is in town. She has many errands. I told her about the manifestations. This one not usually too disruptive.

I will see her this evening..looking at some places and getting a bite to eat.

It is raining a bit now.

a bientot,

Joan

There were two different demonstrations today:

-- medical personnel protesting against plans to make hospitals money-making institutions rather than public services

-- university students and researchers protesting against modifications in the educational system

It appears that the main trade union march on Friday (Labor Day) will be one of the biggest events in a long time.

Kerouac or joan, will these manifestations be going on for long? Is this something that happens on a regular basis or is this new? We arrive on the 10th, should we be at all concerned?

Kerouac will know best. I had heard that the medical would not be much of a problem.

I doubt that you would have any kind of problem on the 10th...unless another is scheduled...

Kerouac knows all this for us.....

Joan

I did talke with some Parisian friends re Friday. You never know..sometimes they fizzle, too.

You just make sure that you don't get stuck a long way from home. I have so much that is walkable, that I won't let that happen. Friday is such a big holiday, anyway!

a bientot....

Joan

This is the first time since 1945 that all of the trade unions have called for a common march on May 1st. Usually, they march separately or not at all. This time, even the right-leaning unions are marching.

In reaction to today's medical demonstration, the government has backed down on its project. Medical workers enjoy tremendous support from the French public, and keeping the medical people annoyed was a risk best not to take.

In terms of other continuing or imminent disputes, everybody wants to see how many people will be on the street on Friday before making a new decisions.

Some of the news magazines have been wondering out loud "Could May 2009 be another May 1968?" but they are just trying to sell their product.

Wait and see.

Kerouac,

Thanks for your input!

Joan

Looked at a number of PP apartments last night with Madelyn and we dined together at Cafe Constant. Had a nice visit. I didn't take any pictures.

I had a call from PP that they were doing some upgrades with me. Wanted to move me yesterday, but I moved it til today. I moved to their very large and luxurious Richebourg this morning. I will be here til Sunday and then move to the charming Fleurie. They do the moving...no problem. Fun!!

I am dining tonight at a spot I have enjoyed in the past, Chez Pierrot and have made reservations for Le Florimond for tomorrow night.

The weather is having trouble clearing up. Showered earlier, partly cloudy now.

More later...

a bientot....

Joan

Hi Joan,
As always, I'm enjoying your insights. Any chance that you might be so kind as to make dinner reservations at Florimond and Fables for us, as you offered awhile back? Let me know if you're willing to do so and I'll email you the details.
Many thanks, EJ

elsiejune,

Be glad to. I will be at Florimond tomorrow night and Fables on Sat.

They usually like a Paris contact and also for you to re-confirm after arrival in Paris.

Good timing!!

a bientot...
Joan