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Lunch today is at Les Saveurs de Flora, 36 avenue George V. The dining room is so whimsical decorated with pink butterflies, orchids, pink water glasses - even the big chandelier is studded with different sizes of pink butterflies. Sitting in that room makes you feel like you're in a roomfull of cotton candy!!!!!
For our amuse bouche, glasses of chipped "soupe aux legumes vertes" served with rillettes of pork with olive oil bread squares. A glass of Muscat went well with it. With the rest of the Muscat, Joan had a veloute de potiron served with a dollop of cream. Lilia's first course was a Tatin de boudin aux pommes vertes. Deliceux! A glass of Saint Nicolas de Borgeuil was served with a "Couscous de Rascasse aux legumes d'hiver aux Moules, sauce Corse". Joan enjoyed that one. Lilia had confit de Caille, petits legume a l'oriental saute en wok, accompanied aby a glass of petit Bordeaux. For dessert, Joan had the Poire Melba and I opted for the specialite de la maison - a waffle with marrons glacee, chantilly de Nutella, glace aux marrons and some warm chocolate sauce. WOW!!!! With our cafe creme (for Joan) and espresso for me, came the mignardise - tiny madeleines and meringue and a very thin "sucettes" (lollipop) made of fresh lemon juice resting on what we thought were chocolates but turned out to be made of metal. C'est domage!!!!! A bientot et bisous de Paris............ Lilia and Joan |
Here are some pics from lunch at Les Saveurs de Flora:
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You guys are KILLING me. Those pictures made my mouth water. I wasn't sure what half of them were, but who cares? What a lovely presentation, thanks for the great pictures.
(and this was lunch???) -Roberta |
Yes, that was lunch!!
Lilia does such a good job..we could have had some tags on pics, but takes a lot of time. Lilia does pretty well with her whimmy diddle..you never say how you are doing with yours?? We are getting with Valdo at 11 today about Friday. Seems to be about 12 or maybe a couple more. We are stocking wine for apartment party before Cafe Max for all to meet, greet, drink a bit...and see the ET from our windows and perhaps Caroline will also be having a party in the Royal apartments across the way! A Violon dining report later today.. Wish many of our posting friends could be here with us to enjoy all..we miss you all... a bientot.... Joan and Lilia |
Here are a few pictures from lunch at Violon d'Ingres today:
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...e/100_0142.jpg http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...e/100_0135.jpg http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...e/000_0002.jpg http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...e/000_0003.jpg http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...e/000_0004.jpg http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...e/000_0005.jpg |
Hi. Fun pix. What is the dish or dishes all covered in some kind of sauce, or salt blanket or somesuch at Les Saveurs? Looks very interesting and very plentiful. Was it for the whole table? A rabbit maybe? What?
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Cool and brisk Tuesday morning - lots of French Fathers walking their children to school all cutely bundled up, the children...not the fathers....
Lovely to be inside the cafe having our grands cafe cremes with our morning croissants.....la bonne vie de touristes a Paris.... Got to rush - we have to buy up those scarves on rue Augereau. Unfortunately, there's only one left. Joan needed more so we will go on another adventure somewhere else. On to Le Violon d'Ingres. We started with flutes of "Demoiselle Parisienne" (champagne made for Christian Constant). J started with "Salade de noix de Saint Jacques" - those scallops were fat and cooked just right ---so tender they might just melt in your mouth. That was accompanied by glass of Sancerre blanc. L had the "Tranche de Foie Gras d'Oie brioche aux Gelee de Pinot Noir". It's as good as if one is in Perigord. Half glass of the demoiselle accompanied that one. Didn't think we can handle a Sauternes at this time; besides Sauternes make L sleepy (it's too early in the day for a nap). J had a "Canard Croise" - half a wild duck caramelized and coated with crushed pistachios, served with pureed and sauteed quince, served with a bunch of lambs lettuce. This was accompanied by a glass of Rousillon. L had "Supreme de Bar Croustillant aux Amandes, Sauce Ravigote" accompanied by a glass of Sancerre Red. This is the crispiest croustillant we've ever had. At this point, Christian comes in the restaurant, stopped by to chat and of course, to give us "des gros bisous" to tell us that Catherine (his wife) will be coming in later to say hello. Dessert time: Gelee de Marrons for J (a layer of chestnut cream topped by a layer of mascarpone and topped again by a layer of red fruit jelly); and L had Souffle chaud aux sauce caramel de beurre salee - so light is the souffle paired with the richness of the the butter caramel sauce - just right as before the desserts were serve Catherine Constant came in abd bought us more Demoiselle Parisienne and presented J with one of the aprons from the restaurant. That would make a great souvenir to take back to North Carolina. And a great way to end the afternoon. On to our new gorgeous apartment - Cotes du Rhone of Paris Perfect. I think we'll stay in now for the rest of our trip. It is so beautiful!!!! More later......... a bientot et bisous de Paris...... Joan et Lilia |
We were up and off this morning with petite dejeuner at Cafe Constant..croissants and cafe creme and conversation with Nicolai. Did some laundry and were off to St. Sulpice and holiday marche opening. We shopped around the area and Grande Epicerie for some goodies. Lunch in the area...some pics added below...
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...e/000_0006.jpg Foie gras et figues, verre de Sauternes. Galantine de canarad pistachee, verre de Pinot Noir. Poilane toast. http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...000_0003-1.jpg Now those are what you can really call chunks of cheese!! Tonight we will be going to Fables de la Fontaine... a bientot.............. |
We just came back from the new Jacques Genin boutique at 133 rue de Turenne in the 3rd. Almost fainted when we didn't see the mangue/fruit dela passion flavor on the counter but we had to ask. Imagine coming all the way from San Francisco and going home without her favorite caramels which she first tasted at Le Comptoir (Yves Camdeborde - mango flavor only). Guess what? It was in the refrigerated section. As explained it is so light and delicate in flavor that those caramels need to be refrigerated.
With the new, beautiful shop with modern clean lines, his prices went way up. Caramels are 110 euros/kilo; nougats are 130 euros/kilo. The chocolates we tasted wwere divine but the caramels, we've never tasted anything like it. Monsieur Le Roux, move over. Believe me, these caramels have the lightest most delicate feel in one's mouth. BRAVO, MONSIEUR GENIN!!!! a bientot et bisous de Paris..... Joan and Lilia |
Here is a picture out our window of ET and the Monaco Royal Apartments with the Royal Crest on the balconies....
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...00_0001_00.jpg Roberta, Lilia does not write anything while dining. She remembers it all..the pictures do help her memory... a bientot............. |
You two certainly have the world by the tail over there!!! I've already gained 10 pounds just looking at the pictures!
Are you taking pictures of the new apartment? We ("I") would love to see it. It appears the lights are on in the "royal apartment." Is Caroline in residence? Maybe she will invite our "bon vivants" for a holiday champagne!!! Thanks to both of you so much for taking the time to post what you're doing, taking pictures, etc., so we can all travel with you vicariously! Enjoy! (although I don't think I need to tell either of you that!!!) What a lifetime friendship that is beginning between the two of you! |
Hi Joy,
Here is what Madelyn had sent to me before it was finished...it does not show the master B/R. It is large and very nice. Everything is lovely..we are living well!! Caroline seems to leave a light on all the time. Have not seen her around..she will be sorry to mis our whing ding on Friday.. We are having fun together..too bad you couldn't join us...when will you be in Paris? I will be back mid April..expect everything to just continue!! Will post Fables later, with pictures... a bientot et bisous de Paris.... Joan and Lilia PS - And I will be crying in San Francisco in April... but at least I will have a new granddaughter..... |
Joan & Lilia,
As I told you earlier, I am very impressed with Lilia's attention to detail!! Waiting for your next course by course presentation (I am pretty hungry right now so please hurry). You should tape a note to Princess Caroline's door, inviting her over. Hey, if her balcony door is ever open you can probably shout out your invite! By the way, those royal crests would certainly make a great souvenir. I know just the place for it in my home. I'm sure no one will mind if one is missing. Hmmm, how do we accomplish this... Enjoy!!! -Roberta |
Roberta - we were up very late last night..met a couple from Bern at Les Fables and we invited them to have coffee at the apartment. Actually, we wanted them to show us how to use the Nespresso machine (LOL!)
Bonjour de Paris! Dinner at Les Fables de la Fontaine. It will always have the Constant touch. Cold evening but no wind so walking La Bourdonnais and rue Constant part of rue Saint Dominique was great for window shopping. Spotted a magnum of La Grande Dame but just ignored the widow Clicquot and went to 131 rue Constant/rue Saint Dominique. Still thinking of La Grande Dame which does not match the pocketbook, we opted for 2 flutes of Demoiselle Parisienne. Hey, any sparkling wine would fill the longing at this point (LOL!). Mme. J had the huitres speciales Gillardeau numero 3 (we surmised that was plumper and bigger that numero 1...) and that was delicieux. Mme. L had a Bouillon leger d'Ossau Irraty, gambas rotie au lard, creme glacee au piquillo. That was one lovely dish - a round piece of the Basque cheese topped with a large roasted prawn, topped again by an oval scoop of frozen creme of piquillos (a Basque red pepper), all floating in a light bouillon with a slight foam. That could have been dinner but we have to conitnue, n'est-ce pas? There was something in their menu we have not seen before: "Maigre de chalut, croustillants de topinambours et chataignes, jus au chorizo". We both had to order that one! Maigre is a deep-water fish, a sort of cross between a bass and a sea bream; firm in texture with a deep-sea taste to it. Chalut is a small fast boat that fishermen take for deep-sea fishing. The maitre-d was very pleased to explain to us and he enjoyed coming by every once in a while and making sure les mesdames are alright. With all that, forgot to ask what a topinambour was but it had the taste of patate douce; together with the pieces of chestnuts inside the croustillant (they came like a couple of large nems) made the dish more delightful - salty, sweet, crunchy and slight bitter taste from the green herbs added to the plate. WOW, I'd like to have that one again. a big BRAVO to Sebastien et David(Fables two chefs). Riz au lait a la confiture de figues, creme legere de pain d'epices pour Mmme. J. It would be a shame to translate that to just plain Rice Pudding, don't you think? Gateau Basque was on offer that night pour Mme. L which, of course, does not need translating. We have invited the Swiss couple from Bern sitting next to us at dinner for coffee and some of the best caramels (my humble opinion). It is from the new shop of Jacques Genin at 133 ru de Turenne on the 3rd. IT IS WORTH THE SPLURGE! a bientot et bisous de Paris...... Joan and Lilia |
wonderful report! I love the food descriptions.
Glad you had a good experience at Violon d'Ingres. It was one of the greatest disappointments for us two years ago. Just a bad night - Nothing seemed to work. topinambour = Jerusalem artichoke |
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Pics from Galeries Lafayette:
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...000_0007-1.jpg http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...e/000_0008.jpg Fauchon http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...000_0009-1.jpg |
Hello Joan & Lilia,
It was great talking to you today!!As I told you earlier, it seems you never had a mediocre meal! Those oysters look divine. -Roberta |
We went out and strolled down the streets..difficult to take pics with people and cars...
One looking across street to Plaza Athenee Hotel http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...00_0005_00.jpg http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...00_0006_00.jpg |
Today, we were amidst the Embassy people; several business lunchers; shoppers and two visitors from the good U.S. of A. The setting is an old classic Burgundian Bistro on the rue Boisy d'Anglas.
The service was good, food was classic (just like your Aunt's which is what we expect from Tante Louise, oui?) and the people watching was excellent! Little bites of saumon fumee and creme fraiche accompanied our coupe de champagne which we continued to drink with our entrees, Mme. J having the "Marbre de rouget et pommes de terre larde". This is a terrine of fish and thin slices of potatoes larded so the appearance is marbelized. Mme. L had the "Ravioles de Royan au jus de poulette, creme de champignons. This are very tiny raviolis filled with cheese and mushrooms, finished off with creme if mushrooms and light chicken stock. With the plats principal, we had glasses of Santenay (1er Cru) which has been bottled for Bernard Loiseau. That went well with "Supreme de volaille poche, legumes au bouillon" for Mme. J and a "Blanquette de veau a l'ancienne, riz pilaw" pour Mme. L. These are classical french dishes sthat do not need translating. For dessert, we had "Clafoutis de noix de macadamia et poire" and "Panna cotta aux fruits exotiques". With our coffe, came a plate of mignardises - pates de fruits, mini financiers and caramels (unfortunately not in the class of Jacques Genin caramels...) The sun was shining and it is a good afternoon to walk and see some of the stalls at the Champs Elysees Marche de Noel. We were at the opening of the Saint Sulpice Market which is much better than the one in the Champs Elysees. a bientot et bisous de Paris..... Joan and Lilia |
luvparee,
You can pass on this thread to the OPF site if they want to see all the pictures from our adventures.Some have asked about pictures Takes time to post them to every site. Joan and Lilia |
We were off this morning for our petite dejeuner nearby and then on the the marche for our party items. Only Champagne and pistacios. We don't want to spoil our dinner later.
Lilia headed off to do her last minute shopping for her very special items to take back to CA. I did some things around the apartment and then went to Les Cocottes for lunch..had a cocotte. I then wandered around the area looking for ways to spend money!! Guess what..I found two more scarves..only 9.90 euros each!! I have one on for this evening..in the lavender shades of course..anything in a purple is definitely the "in" color!! More later..with pictures...we are having so much fun..can you tell?? a bientot........ Joan We will head over to Cafe Max a bit after 9..gather around the bar with wine and more chit chat before sitting down for fun and games. We do have some fun things planned. You will see some pictures later |
Here are some pictures from last night:
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...000_0003-4.jpg http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...000_0004-3.jpg http://s271.photobucket.com/albums/j...000_0006-1.jpg http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...000_0007-2.jpg http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...000_0008-1.jpg |
Cafe Max at 7, avenue de la Motte Picquet, an old fashioned bistrot that excudes a lot of charm. The place is so much fun with the owner having the most fantastic sense of humor. Joan was trying to present him with the whimmy diddle (this is a North Carolina specialty fun game) and a gift of an Indian headband with a big red feather on it but Valdo said, "Later, I'm busy now feeding you.........".
Rilletes of pork with some polane toasts showed up for our amuse bouche. Valdo then prepared some oeufs broullee truffee (with large shavings of black truffles), again served with poilane toasts. For several of us, this was followed by pappardelle (wide Italian pasta) trufee (again with lasrge shavings of blck truffles). This is to be La Nuit Truffee for us.... Others ordered quenelles de supreme de volailles (a Lyonaisse specialy of pached dumpling usually made of fish called brochet and served with a sauce with whole or large pieces of eccrevises). We drank several bottles of Bordeaux with this. I don't know how many bottles we drank but it seemed a lot..... Several had mini baba au rhum for dessert. The bottle of Bacardi arrived at the table which made everybody laughed........ A couple of us ordered the fins tarte aux pommes servi avec glace a la vanille (finely sliced apple tarte with vanilla ice cream). The tarte was garnished with a criss-cross of caramel sauce - delicieous! When the meal was served, Valdo came back for his whimmy diddle - Joan being a good teacher (she is the only one from N.C. in this group). This group of Fodorites are Joan, Weekender and Framboise. All-ready-to-go and her friend did not make it as they were catching a cold and are supposed to fly out early in the morning. The rest of the group are a French-German couple friends of Framboise and a French couple friens of Joan; one of whom is the owner of Flirt The (the e is supposed to have an accent which means tea in french). Another couple friends of Framboise from Australia had drinks with us earlier. All in all, a very fun evening followed by a very cold walk back to the apartment. A bientot et bisous de Paris....... |
It seems you ladies are continuing to have a blast. I've met Valdo and he is alot of fun! Wish I could be there. Enjoy your last days in Paris, vacation is almost over. BOO!!!
-Roberta |
Voila le dernier repas (The Last Supper!)!!!! Does this call for a big cry????
We had such a great time last week at l'Obelisque that we cancelled our lunch at Drouant to have our last in the Crillon. Joan has sent an e-mail to the hotel telling them what great service we had the last time so we were welcomed with open arms upon arrival. We were seated at the same table. Quelle surprise! We ordered champagne for our aperitif and when it came, we were told that they are compliments of the Crillon!! Taittinger, they were!!!!!! Mme. J started with Huitres de chez Gillsrdeau - the fattest oysters and most delicious ones you'd find. It is even fatter than the ones served at Les Fables de la Fontaine. Mme. L had her last Foie Gras de canard de Landes (she just have to have them) sprinkled with some poivre noir et sel de Guerande. For the plat principal, Mme. J has a Homard en salade, mangue, coeur de iceberg, vinaigrette curry (her favorite thing to order in this place). A glass of 2007 Alsace Riesling Cuvee Albert accompanied the lobster. Mme. L had a Gigot d'agneau en tranche (bien rose), haricot coco piments. A glass of 2000 Pessac Leognan, Chateau Olivier was a good dmatch with the lamb. Charlotte Poire/Caramel for Mme. J and Millefeuille a la Vanille <Bourbon> for Mme. L and coffee after finished off the meal, accompanied by a plate of mignardise - mini macarons au caramel de beuerre salee et des quelques chocolats. An old man across the room and directly facing Lilia, thought that the two ladies across the room was watching him. He told our waiter that he thought we had our eye on him (the waiter said "he wished!!!"). It turned out that he's been lunching there for over 20 years, he is 94 years old and has been a widower for 15-----. When he stood up, waved to us goodbye,he really looked 94........ Joan will have a date with him when she gioes back in the Spring. That would be a lot of fun to see what he can do when they converse with Joan's less that passable french!!!! That's all for now............. Pictures are coming later from Joan -- I will post mine when I get home. a bientot et au revoir!!! JOAN ET LILIA |
Wishing you both a safe trip home. I'm sure the Paris restaurants will miss you & Lilia!
-Roberta |
Roberta,
Slightly jetlagged but I'm sure Joan and I are missing our cafe creme and croissants in the morning and of course - all our restaurant meals - now, it is time for work! Lilia |
I am off to Dr. this morning..need more antibiotics and whatever else!
I arrived home, finally, at 7:30 Monday night..walked in took an antibiotic and went to bed! Picked up mail and cats Tues. morning, did some catch up work with mail and all and went to bed. Suitcases have not been touched! I stopped at Greenberry's and picked up some croissants..not like Parisian... a bientot.... |
l'Ami Jean pictures:
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...e/100_0182.jpg http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...e/100_0183.jpg http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...e/100_0184.jpg http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...e/100_0185.jpg http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...e/100_0186.jpg A nice evening. Barb and Jim arrived at 6. We opened a bottle of champagne, toasted to being in Paris. I showed them this lovvely apt. Jim took some pictures of his own. We talked about all the things they have seen in a shot time in Paris and of their forthcoming trips on to the Loire, Dordogne, Provence and Italy! L'ami Jean was crowded by the time we left. They seem to have quie a bit of confusion, getting orders mixed up etc. We did not have dessert. We had a pleasant walk back to my apartment, said our goodbyes and called it a night. Another pleasant day by my outside views. A busy day ahead with nice friends and what I know will be a great meal, as always, at Fables. a bientot..... Joan |
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