http://www.chow.com/boards/49 Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:14:13 GMT Keep track of the lastest threads on Chowhound http://www.chow.com/topics/665401#5164571 plaisir Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:59:06 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/665401#5164571 http://www.chow.com/topics/533672#5164565 I was an American, working for a day 15 years ago in a moderately upscale cafe in Sydney, Australia, owned by an Ozzie friend. I gave the kind of service I'd expect to receive myself in a good American restaurant. The Ozzies, religious non-tippers, were so surprised by the service that I actually got quite a few pretty good tips. You may draw your own conclusions. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:49:31 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/533672#5164565 http://www.chow.com/topics/665528#5164553 Le Gac was for years the head of development for Robert Linxe at the Maison du Chocolat. If you did one of their classes/tastings, he probably was the one giving it. He left MdC a year or two ago to open his own shop somewhere in the suburbs, difficult to reach except by car. He is now in St. Germain en Laye, and easy train ride from Paris. I'm thinking of going there to see what he's doing. Has anyone tried his chocolates? Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:21:54 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/665528#5164553 http://www.chow.com/topics/664337#5164547 Sorry, Dodo, but the venerable Verlet was a total bust. The first clue was the open bins at the shop. The second was the dry feel of the beans. The third, and definitive sign, was the failure of the off-gassing test. These beans simply were not freshly roasted. Since I had a blend of two kinds, that meant neither was fresh. The real failure, however, was the aroma and taste. I love the smell of good beans when I've just ground them. These could have been a can of Maxwell House. The flavor was equally uninteresting. Next I will give Brulerie des Ternes and it's New Guinea coffee a try, and possibly the Caféothèque. If all else fails, it will be a bag of Sumatra beans from Starbucks. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:08:24 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664337#5164547 http://www.chow.com/topics/665087#5164507 Thank you both for your recs. JmV, Rue Berger is very close and sounds like there are mutliple options. Souphie, we are having dinner at Chez Denise that night... it was a favorite from a previous trip and we are looking forward to heading back there. I read in another thread (delucacheesemonger, I think) that they have some good game items now. (And it hadn't even occurred to me to go there for lunch! not sure why....) Thanks again! Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:45:17 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/665087#5164507 http://www.chow.com/topics/665107#5163633 Ooo, Le Charlemagne looks interesting, thanks! We'll try for this in the next few days, and report back. We found something rather good unexpectedly today, at Le Auberge de Pot d'Etain in L’Isle sur Serein. The setting was more traditional, but the dishes were either completely inventive or completely different uses of traditional ingredients. We had an Amuse of brandade of cabillaud (cod), which was very good, and served like a parfait. My husband had an appetizer of egg "en croute" (soft-cooked [maybe deep fried?] but with a crumb crust), with mushrooms. His main was Farm chicken (morsels with diced carrots and other veg). My appetizer was a "Gateau" of foie gras (sort of a mousse), with a main of a very refined pork confit. Desserts were variations on chocolate, which followed fromage blanc and local cheeses. We're trying Le Morvan in Luzy tomorrow (near Autun), so we'll see. Susan Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:56:46 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/665107#5163633 http://www.chow.com/topics/665282#5163193 Absolutely - I forgot it. As did I the one at l'Auberge Bressane, with its cream and morel sauce. Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:24:50 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/665282#5163193 http://www.chow.com/topics/663667#5162637 New England has very little to offer in the way of decent food. One of the few things is bay scallops (from Nantucket) which are available from early November until late December, sometimes early January. The comparrison I would make to any other scallops, including those I've had many times in France would be ... there are no other oysters in the world like oysters from Brittany. There are no other scallops in the world like Nantucket Bays in their brief season. Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:37:37 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/663667#5162637 http://www.chow.com/topics/660649#5161601 I'm with chochotte - I've heard so many bad reports that I know there has to be some truth to them. But I always had a blast. I'll be going back on Monday to try the "new" Racines - which still has chef Sven and most of the same staff on board. Will be sure to report back! Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:32:01 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/660649#5161601 http://www.chow.com/topics/663369#5161520 It's not really too far! Especially for foods that are so excellent as that. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:12:19 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/663369#5161520 http://www.chow.com/topics/665110#5161509 Hi again - I'm looking at the business card and it says 9h à 1h du matin. Early morning to late at night - that's my kind of place! I'm guessing that the early morning is for crèpes, waffles and coffee. Half of the place is dedicated to these takeout goodies (sandwiches, too) and they even have a loyalty card (buy 10 value meals get one free) which I almost never see in Paris. Love this place. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:10:30 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/665110#5161509 http://www.chow.com/topics/664670#5161464 This L'Ami Jean fan wants to raise a minor point that is not minor to others. The cramped space bothers quite a few diners. Maybe that is why it is best to go with a group of very good friends, good enough that one does not feel bothered touching all the time. Some cultures and some people really do not feel comfortable with that. Goes without saying that it never bothered me. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:54:02 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664670#5161464 http://www.chow.com/topics/664200#5161443 free tap water is mandatory. But filtered water is much better and the cost is much more acceptable than bottled water. Actually, it's also better than bottled water. But you're still entitled to free bread and water. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:44:28 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664200#5161443 http://www.chow.com/topics/665187#5161350 If all fails, try to order this way: "puis-je avoir un peu de café avec mon sucre?" Surely the waiter will notice. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:13:25 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/665187#5161350 http://www.chow.com/topics/665123#5161130 I'm game for Génin daytime weektime -- anytime. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:07:23 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/665123#5161130 http://www.chow.com/topics/661476#5161084 Yeah -- you won't get me all tolerant and understanding and cultural diversity about that. It's just bad -- a bad habit. Confit d'oignons, on the other hand... Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:55:59 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/661476#5161084 http://www.chow.com/topics/664791#5160890 It sure is. But Rostang is among those with the biggest portions and the least interesting desserts. Funnily enough, it probably shares that distinction with Briffard. Alléno is probably at the opposite end of the range, with portions that leave me hungry and food that leaves me bored, and then extraordinary desserts. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:44:17 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664791#5160890 http://www.chow.com/topics/662323#5159326 There is a great Senegalese in rue des poissonieres (Paris). I don't know the name, but you can't miss it. They have the classic thieboudienne, yassa and mafe - fish, chicken, lamb. Very good. And other dishes. No alcohol served but you can bring your own. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:29:06 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/662323#5159326 http://www.chow.com/topics/664355#5158950 Why is it "unreasonable and outrageous" it is a place that has both tables and seats at the bar where they regularly serve food? Surely a reservation for diner is a reservation for a meal, it is up to the restaurant to seat you in the appropriate space in their dining area, and in this case the regular dining area includes tables and the bar (it always has). I could understand this being odd if the bar and tables were in different rooms but they are not; it is one room. I could understand it if it was a loud/raucous bar with lots of drinkers and few diners; but it isn't, the few people who have a drink at the bar are diners waiting for their tables. I could understand this being an issue at a restaurant; but it is a wine bar. To me it looks like a mismatch of expectation to the experience, and that is fair enough. It also sounds like you didn't think the food/service was value for money, and that is fair enough. But to chastise a small, busy wine bar for seating a diner at the bar, rather than a table, seems slightly strange. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:24:07 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664355#5158950 http://www.chow.com/topics/485249#5158687 I would never accept pastry from the day before. But other than that, I'm with you. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:59:31 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/485249#5158687 http://www.chow.com/topics/663420#5158411 Once I was in Pierre Herme and they had a brioche mouselline, in the shape of a cylinder. I think it was brioche dough with extra butter. THAT was to die for too. To eat that with the quince jam from Christian Constant (rue d'Assas) is truly heaven on earth. I'm glad that Souphie seconded my recommendation of Carl Marletti. I feel I've reached a milestone as a France Chowhounder. I guess I just like my pastry sweet, ergo PH and Marletti are my favorites. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:42:07 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/663420#5158411 http://www.chow.com/topics/664397#5158392 About the seasonal menu (the 160 EUR one), it currently is 4 courses and dessert: razor clams, mushrooms, foie gras, scallops or hare, chocolate dessert. So probably more like 8 course if you include accras, amuse, pre-dessert and mignardises. I'm going at the end of the month (supposedly), so I'll finally be able to taste the Pithivier! Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:35:59 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664397#5158392 http://www.chow.com/topics/662759#5157778 In that case, I would suggest you look for them in Paris. We have a lovely Algerian pastry shop, La bague de Kenza. The main store is on the rue St-Maur, but there are a few other locations around the city. Things to try would include cornes de gazelle, cigares, skandriates, maqrout-el-louz, droits de Kenza, and galb-elouz. For Tunisian pastries, there's a boutique Masmoudi on the bd St-Germain. Baklawas, melfoufs, mlabes, tajins and dawamas would be good things to try. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:16:13 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/662759#5157778 http://www.chow.com/topics/264002#5157430 http://www.maidi2008.net 50%off ca,ed hardy t-shirt$15 jeans,coach handbag$33,air max90,dunk,polo t-shirt$13,,lacoste t-shirt $13 air jordan for sale,$35,nfl nba jersy for sale free shipping accept paypal credit card lower price fast shippment with higher quality our website: http://www.maidi2008.net BEST QUALITY GUARANTEE!! SAFTY & HONESTY GUARANTEE!! FAST & PROMPT DELIVERY GUARANTEE!! 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Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:40:00 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664577#5157300 http://www.chow.com/topics/663666#5156974 One other quick suggestion: Les Coccottes. Here is D.L.'s review: http://www.davidlebovitz.com/archives/2009/01/les_cocottes_de_christian_consta.html Very delicious and affordable, but no reservations. Get there early. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:19:57 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/663666#5156974 http://www.chow.com/topics/664668#5156809 Well put. At any of these expo shows, just stand at the base of the escalator or end of the entrance shoot and face oncoming people. Look dumb and expentant and you will be offered free passes that are sent out by vendors to good customers. Works for Vignerons Independent, Salon de Chocolate, Fermier and, and, and... Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:12:04 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664668#5156809 http://www.chow.com/topics/664226#5155300 We just returned from 3 weeks in the 15th which is not a tourist haunt but mainly a middle class residential area teeming with good restaurants filled with people from the neighborhood. Some that we enjoyed this trip were, Court Bouillon, Au Gout du Jour, Jadis, Afaria, Grand Pan, Stephane Martin, Cristal de Sel, and Erewan, a decent Thai place. We would return to any of these and did to several. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:03:12 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664226#5155300 http://www.chow.com/topics/662930#5154747 Oooohhh! This is lovely. Exactly what I was looking for. Nice packaging always makes the candies even taste better. Many thanks! Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:42:00 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/662930#5154747 http://www.chow.com/topics/664294#5154591 So, I'm just back from Genin. Swoon! My appetite was not as Incredible Hulk-like as I would have preferred, so I only managed to eat one scrumptious freshly-prepared millefeuille a la vanille with my coffee plus the extras that Nancy S referred to. But, I did select 2 eclairs and a modest bag of caramels to take home. The caramels with bits of almonds inside are so divine! I will certainly go back, but maybe next time with fellow Hounds? I wonder if any of you would be up for a afternoon of desserts. Will start another thread... Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:44:56 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664294#5154591 http://www.chow.com/topics/664444#5154237 For some of your cheaper meals you may want to consider the kosher meat restaurants you will have a gaurentee of no dairy. Actually there are a few nicer kosher restaurants too. You can look at www.mangercasher.com . However if you explain your wife's limitations other restuarants should be able to accomodate you especially the fancier restaurants which aim to please. Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:24:08 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664444#5154237 http://www.chow.com/topics/662976#5152991 I would never eat their food, but we had a lot of fun people-watching in the window at Fouquet's, enjoying a better-than-average hot chocolate. Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:47:03 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/662976#5152991 http://www.chow.com/topics/664319#5152364 Nice job you're doing, but so much work! I only picked-up this one about Le Marias as so many of the Paris Chows seem to gather around there (not my cup of tea at all... As a boy-scout, I used to deliver Xmas food parcels to the poor old folks there! They must be all dead now, and their dwellings have been taken over by a new wealthy race, but it put me off this area for life) Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:41:06 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/664319#5152364 http://www.chow.com/topics/650351#5152056 I googled it and got a picture but no description! Merci Bien! Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:21:00 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/650351#5152056 http://www.chow.com/topics/646040#5151036 Legally, according to decree number 25-268 of 8 june 1967, French restauranteurs must supply when asked, and cannot charge for tap water (nor bread). Cafés and bars can charge for water if they want. From an ecological point of view, bottled water is a big no-no. Never went there, but I was told by one of his advisors that when at he was still the Ritz, the environmetally minded Jean François Piege encouraged the consumpition of tap "Adam's Ale". So from a legal point of view you can drink tap water in restaurants in France, and from a green perspective you should. If waiters make you feel uncomfortable about it, or cheap, then leave. Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:19:34 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/646040#5151036 http://www.chow.com/topics/663895#5150977 thanks all! My list is getting pretty long. what about favorite lunch spots? i heard the falafel and crepes from the carts are decent...any spots on the cheaper side? Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:45:53 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/663895#5150977 http://www.chow.com/topics/663735#5149951 You are probably right that having a less exciting view is in direct relation to securing a last minute reservation. As for birthday boy's order he chose the boeuf tournedos w/ foie gras and souffled potatoes, and for dessert a chocolaty wonder with a praline croustillant. This dessert was pretty fabulous. All minor complaints aside, it was a delightful experience. I think because I've spent so much time the past year reading this board that finally now that I'm living in Paris I may have unreasonably high expectations whenever I dine out. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:24:07 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/663735#5149951 http://www.chow.com/topics/663671#5149738 Atlas John Talbott http://johntalbottsparis.typepad.com/ Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:34:20 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/663671#5149738 http://www.chow.com/topics/652322#5149725 Hypnotic: Could you explain exactly where the "sian fusion food & fish" place is. Thanks. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:32:06 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/652322#5149725 http://www.chow.com/topics/663148#5148801 Thanks! Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:00:31 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/663148#5148801 http://www.chow.com/topics/521707#5148504 I think it must be twenty years since we went to L'ami Louis. I loved it, my wife hated it. But since I still remember and talk about the meal, service and "decor" it must have been speicial. Thre are only a handful of Paris restaurants that stand out so vividly after so long. Try it and with luck you will be talking about it twenty years from now. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:05:39 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/521707#5148504 http://www.chow.com/topics/663979#5147994 So I took a look at this website. They are not giving you the choice. The site is asking you to prepay for a set meal. No a la carte option was available when I looked up your dates. Has nothing to do with the holiday. For other restaurants, the 20 Euro a la carte charge is clearly a pre-payment, not an additional charge for the privilege of using the website. I can't tell you what would happen if you try to reserve through another means. Notice this website supports just a limited number of shows and restaurants aimed at the most touristic of enterprises. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:56:16 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/663979#5147994 http://www.chow.com/topics/663915#5147242 Has anyone eaten there? How is it? Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:09:49 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/663915#5147242 http://www.chow.com/topics/663642#5147015 Thanks everyone! I've heard of Aux Petit Tonneau but never tried it. They're supposed to have a good tarte tatin -- also on our list of French comfort food. D'Chez Eux sounds interesting. I just had a look at the website for L'Ambassade d'Auvergne; we were planning to go there for aligot and other specialties of Auvergne. They too have blanquette de veau on the menu. Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:05:42 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/663642#5147015 http://www.chow.com/topics/663681#5146415 Thank you Souphie! That will be the perfect place to stock up! Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:37:18 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/663681#5146415 http://www.chow.com/topics/663268#5146257 I am perplexed like you, Phil, and more. I am perplexed tout court by how my name is invoked in vain here at all. And really no one "needs" SchadenfreudE purr say. As for Lipp... Once a friend wrote in an article that one did not go there for the food. The subsequent time we went there, - or tried to go, - we got kicked out unceremoniously. "Vous m'avez esquinté" was the parting word. As far as pronouncements of expulsion go, that one was quite touching. The customer abuse did not end there, mais j'en passe. Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:58:22 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/663268#5146257 http://www.chow.com/topics/663343#5145828 Are they not looking for dinner? 12 noon may be a little early. Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:21:48 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/663343#5145828 http://www.chow.com/topics/660070#5145644 based on the recommendations above , three of us had the cheese souffle for lunch at Auberge Bressane along with a half bottle of red : absolutely delicious- would love to know how they keep the souffle from failing after cutting into it. thanks to all who helped Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:19:57 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/660070#5145644 http://www.chow.com/topics/662445#5145017 It is now up and running at http://johntalbottsparis.typepad.com/john_talbotts_paris/2009/10/eating-in-paris-restaurants-with-children-a-sunday-summary.html John Talbott Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:07:08 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/662445#5145017 http://www.chow.com/topics/661883#5144709 The advantage of Mercier is the access via elevator and the tour is done on a train which the kids should enjoy. If you get to Moet and Chandon in Epernay, there is a choice of three "tours" - a tour finishing with one flute of Brut Imperial cost €13per person (2008 price) - for one Brut Imperial and one Rose Imperial it was €20 per person - the Grand Vintage Tour ending with 1 flute Grand Vintage 2000 & 1 flute Grand Vintage 2000 Rose was €25. The guided tours are all the same just the wine at the end differs. If you are a couple, have one person do the first or second option while the 2nd person does the 3rd option. At the end, as a couple you get to share the taste 4 champagnes instead of 2 if you both paid the same amount. Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:19:04 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/661883#5144709