Hello Joan,
I agree with RobertaL - that was a great looking lunch! How about the name of the brasserie & what it was you ordered?
It looked divine!

Hi Tod,

Le Champ de Mars Brasserie..on corner of St. Dominique and Bourdonnais..not the Dome. Have been told that it is not good. It seems to be called Salade Jour 3. I think it was the only one that said ouef(egg).

I am going tonight to La Taverna. It is on Champ de Mars between Bosquet and Bourdonnais. Closer to the corner of Bosquet. Almost across from that Brasserie that you asked me about on the corner of Bosquet, I think.

Re-loaded my Navigo this morning. Had breakfast at Flirt The and chatted with Florent. Something going on at Ecole Militaire this evening..a concert of some sort beginning about 6:30.

I changed to my leather coat today. It was comfortable along with a good scarf. I could have worn my gloves, too!

I ran into Christian Constant this morning, so know they are back from their holiday. I did send Catherine an email asking what plans the Constant Restaurants had for Christmas and Christmas Eve. I doubt that any will be open Christmas. As soon as I hear, I will post, so that will be known.

a bientot....

Joan

Grateful thanks Joan - Yes, I do remember asking you about a corner Brasserie as it looked so interesting on PagesJaunes.

You have convinced me that an apartment is the way to go for a stay of a week or longer. Unfortunately we just aren't able to meet the rates for a lovely apartment like KIR @ E1365 odd for a week in August - translates into mega fugures when converted to South African Rands. We looked at Cotes de Provence for a bit less but the eating arrangement (off a little coffee table) didn't appeal.
So, I have bitten the bullet and gone with this cutie in Bastille: http://www.vrbo.com/103254

It was reccommended by someone else on this board and I think it will suit us for a first time attempt at an apartment.

I am hoping that some of the Constant restaurants will be open from the 20th August!

Hi Tod,

That looks like a cute spot that you have found.

I will be previewing the Cotes de Provence for someone else. I will look more closely at the dining arrangements. I know there is the small counter in the kitchen, but not for dinner!

I will check on the Constant August closing dates.

a bientot...
Joan

Tod, That looks super. Please let everyone know how it went. Will pray to the weather gods for you.

Bonjour Joan,

Tod brought up an interesting point. I had noticed the lack of a dining table in the Cotes de Provence too.

It sounds like you are having a great time and, like many others, I am truly enjoying following along. Love the pictures!

Diane

Hi,

I am mentioning the dining table. It may be that they would replace with a small drop leaf table that would do well for the space.

I had a nice dinner in a nice atmosphere place. I will return. I did forget to take pics of amuse bouche and entree..sorry...

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...00_00012-2.jpg
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...00_00022-4.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...00_00032-3.jpg

This might be better:

http://s271.photobucket.com/albums/j...t=425ec2e2.pbw

a bientot...

Joan

Joan, I like the way the pics are set up in the link with the 3 separate photos. The pics jump out nice and big (just the way I like to view a delicious meal if I can't actually eat it)!

By the way, was that lunch chicken or fish (over pototoes?). And what was the dessert?????

Bon Soir!!
-Roberta

Ok, now I keep thinking...What time is it in Paris? and What is Joan eating?..everything looks so fantastic...thanks for sharing.

Roberta

It was seabass over a bed of mashed potatoes...very good. I forgot to take a picture of the entree..an artichoke salad and dessert was tiramisou...I think it said at the bottom of picture?? This was dinner. I am just not able to eat both lunch and dinner..one or the other. Also I was at Florent's in the morning and had a croissant, a small toasted baguette, orange juice..I should take a picture there for next breakfast...Thursday, for sure...

Sounds like more exciting things happening..will know tomorrow, for sure...

a bientot....

Joan

Bonjour Joan,
This is a great read and so much help as I get ready for my trip Dec. 2. I will be spending 10 days with my son and GF in their apartment in the 13th. I love your photos and weather reports!! I have a question about going out in the evenings - do women where dresses or does the cold dictate pants for evening?

Thanks so much!!

I don't even bring dresses or skirts anymore. I wear pants to 3 star places, too. So, I would say, just bring pants. You can have nice top, jacket, whatever. Jeans are very acceptable, too...not 3 star!I wear jeans every day..have a jacket, whatever top, scarf, sit down and who knows what you have on underneath the table!

You will enjoy your trip and stay. If you have not been before to see all the Christmas decorations you most certainly will enjoy!!

a bientot...
Joan

Joan,
Are you posting at 2:00am??? If you are, I must say you are enjoying every moment of Paris. Florent was so nice to us in Paris. Next time, try to get a pic of Florent with your croissant. Hey, that rhymes...

-Roberta

To my observation, many women in Paris do favor skirts and dresses, but I'd have to be going someplace really fancy for that and no longer bother. For years, I packed a dress or skirt (plus the slip, stockings, dressier shoes) and just never felt like putting all that on or wearing it after being out and about all day. So, for just a week or two trip, I no longer bother.

Black slacks, a nice top, and a beautiful sweater or blazer (in black or your favorite color), plus a bit of jewelry, nice belt, scarf...will take you just about anywhere.

One evening we will be attending a theater to see my son's GF's play - I will be meeting her parents for the first time (they are french as she is) - it's likely that we will be having dinner out as well. I might just throw in a dress just in case. Other bases are covered - comfy boots, flats, warm scarf, gloves, warm coat and rain coat - slacks, sweaters. I hadn't thought about jewelry - maybe just throw in some pearls and call it good.

This will be my second time in Paris (1st was last summer) so I am really looking forward to the Christmas decorations and lights etc.

Merci, Merci for all the help!

Joan,

What joy to wake up to new postings by you.

I want to thank you for sharing your car service with me. I am very happy with how quickly shuttle-inter.com handled my request for arrival and departure service. I made sure to advise you referred me. I finalized all the travel specifics in two e-mails and within 24 hours due to the time differences. All that is left for me and my family to do is pack for our Christmas in Paris trip to include new Christmas decorations we bought for our Paris Perfect Apartment.

I will continue to read your posts looking for Christmas Eve Dinner suggestions.

Take care and keep the photos coming.

For taking dresses or not..it is pretty much what you feel comfortable with. I'm sure you will enjoy all.

Yes, I have used shuttle-inter for several years. They have always been there for me. Now and then people have to understand that the airlines may change gates/terminals and this can cause a problem.

I will post the Christmas dining probably by the weekend.

a bientot...

oh, a beautiful day today..warm, bright sun..great

I did move this afternoon. I am in the Cabernet apartment. I had not been in this one before. I like it!! I am mostly unpacked...soooo much closet/storage space!

This out my window to the right of where I am sitting:

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...00_0001-20.jpg

More later...a bientot....

Joan

With all of that great food, how do you FIT in your clothes - whether dresses or pants - at the end of your stay? ha