31 December 2018

New Year's eye


Tomorrow a new year begins, a time for reflection, renewal... and looking toward the future.
May yours be prosperous and filled with joy and love.

Above: from JR exhibition, Momentum, la mécanique de l'épreuve
[installation with dancers from New York City Ballet]

Maison Européenne de la Photographie
5/7 rue de Fourcy 75004

Ends February 10, 2019
 
***
 
- Bonne Année / Happy New Year 2019 -

24 December 2018

Lobster eve


With visitors in Paris and much going on I will be returning next week.

As always, here's sending warmest wishes for a very Merry and Happy everything! - BPJ



22 December 2018

Sapin de Noël


Galeries Lafayette's gigantic suspended Christmas tree spans the length of two floors.
 

20 December 2018

19 December 2018

PH balance


A touch of raspberry helps to make the season bright.

Café Pierre Hermé - Beaupassage
53 rue de Grenelle 75007



18 December 2018

Pierre-y Christmas


Pierre Hermé's second tea room / café is tucked away in a foodie passageway.

Café Pierre Hermé - Beaupassage
53 rue de Grenelle 75007

17 December 2018

Giacometti, prolonged






Alberto Giacometti, Swiss sculptor, painter, draftsman, printmaker, lived/worked mostly in Paris.


"Giacometti: From Tradition to Avant-Garde"
 
Ends February 3 , 2019
 
Below: coffee downstairs in museum's art deco Café des Frères Prévert
(click to enlarge)





Au coin du feu


A spot of tea, a cozy fire and good conversation warm up long winter evenings... along with holiday baking.

Below: fresh-from-oven pecan brownies; Vanillekipferl, Austrian butter crescents (mom's version w/crushed hazelnuts instead of almonds)




15 December 2018

12 December 2018

Watching #4



Last of my photos in this series, Eyes On Paris, of citywide photography installation by JR.
More in January newsletter.

Ends February 10, 2019


Above: at station Hôtel de Ville (Line 1)

Below: at station Nanterre-Université (RER A)
 
 (click to enlarge)

11 December 2018

Watching #3



Above: at station Pyramides (Line 7)


***

Eyes on Paris: I've been getting quite a few emails and texts asking whether it's safe to come to Paris.
 
Here's what U.S. food writer David Lebovitz has to say on the subject, along with some very good travel advice:

Is it safe to come to Paris?


8 December 2018

Watching #1


Giant photographs of eyes by Parisian artist JR have been installed at métro stations around the city.

Above: at station Saint-Michel (Line 4)




7 December 2018

Holiday shopping


Le Bon Marché's Dior window display.

[Bring your passport if spending 176 euros or more at any one store on same day for airport de-taxe refund of up to 15%, even on items on sale]

6 December 2018

Lunch for two


Elegant dining at the Hôtel Régina in holiday regalia.

Hôtel Régina
2 Place des Pyramides 75001

5 December 2018

4 December 2018

Love and water



Over a drinking fountain at CDG Airport: "In Paris, we live on love and cold water."

3 December 2018

Paris / L.A.


I don't post about all of my trips but this one deserves at least a page.

Most of November saw us back in beautiful southern California carousing and catching up with family and old friends. Home turfs: Santa Monica, Venice, Pacific Palisades.

Highlights included a flurry of invitations, soirées, fooding. There was whale/dolphin-spotting from a private boat off Balboa Island (Newport Beach), a live blues birthday party (birthday boy on bass), roving farmers' markets, photography exhibits, brunch at a dear friend's sumptuous ranch, early morning walks on the beach, quaint coffee houses and fantastic restaurant discoveries (including Korean barbecue like I'd never had - and I've had many). And an unsurpassed Thanksgiving.

Another evening inspired an impromptu French-style multi-course sit-down feast - chef de cuisine: yours truly - to lift the spirits of almost 30 Malibu fires evacuees staying at a friend's spacious home (huge thank you to my many fun helpers reading this, and who made it possible), which it did; thankfully not everyone lost their homes.

Somehow I was able to get some great photos, not nearly enough, some of which are in this month's newsletter along with addresses, menus, and recipes. Check Nouveautés 
- BPJ
 
Below: harbor seals cling to a buoy as we head back from open sea; butterfly shrimp mango starter and clams in white wine sauce from deck overlooking the bay 


More: informal sit-down dinner at cherished friends' hacienda-"old Hollywood"-style home (we all go back to 80s, London) high in the hills w/stunning views over the city of Los Angeles from the garden



Below: odds / ends - inside Rose Café [video: A Day At Rose Café]; a graffiti "dog house," both in Venice; surfer hang Dogtown Coffee in Santa Monica; a pre-brunch champagne tête-à-tête on patio at friends' private ranch


 
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  "I couldn't help but notice that almost everywhere we went there seemed to be almost zero obesity, much like in Paris. Most were in great shape - jogging, walking, bicycling, working out - and making healthy delicious food choices." -
From, A French Paradox: The French "Non Diet" and The Art of Eating for Pleasure