28 September 2019

Front row




Once again it's Paris Fashion Week as both big names and off-the-radar designers strut their stuff.

Below: young designers set up their showroom in the Marais district

27 September 2019

Sharing


 
 
Canapé seating (pun intended) both inside and on the terrace, it's in Montmartre, it has a fun vibe and street view, and all of the wines are from Burgundy.

Where is it?

Above: two planches mixtes were plenty for four



October newsletter

25 September 2019

Royale view


Rue Royale and Place de la Concorde as seen from L'Église de la Madeleine just before the rain.

24 September 2019

23 September 2019

A Montmartre garden


Renoir's garden as part of the Montmartre Museum, once a stately home.

Below: a view from the pond



20 September 2019

Fromages en fleur


Flip your cheeseboard (and host/hostess status) into new realms with AOC goat's milk cheeses smothered in petals.

18 September 2019

À partager


A simple charcuterie-cheeseboard (planche mixte) to share, enough for a light meal.

Above: La Tartine - 24 rue de Rivoli 75004

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Charcuterie-cheese memories: 
  When I was in high school my father would pick me up after work and we'd sneak off to a tiny French épicerie in Georgetown to load up on patés, cheeses, sausages, greek olives, and fresh baguette, then sit quietly in the car together, indulging. When we got home to my mom's dinner we'd say we were "starving".... - BPJ

17 September 2019

Market mix


There's something for everyone on Paris' market streets.

Above: by noon the square in front of l'Église Saint Médard resembles a village scene in Provence

Below: fall vegetables make a comeback; fresh oysters and wine at a fish stall; singing to the tune of roasting chickens; dancing on an open square





Mouffetard Street Market

Start at chocolaterie Mococha #89 rue Mouffetard and meander down

Best day: Sunday

16 September 2019

Calm before the market


Ernest Hemingway described Rue Mouffetard as, "that wonderful crowded market street which led into Place Contrescarpe."

In an hour there will be shouting vendors, sprawling cafés, small shops and stalls selling fresh produce, cheeses, wines, fish, breads, pastries, more. Add live music and dancing in a square on Sundays and "La Mouffe" is an outing. - BPJ

14 September 2019

Cocktail maison


My version of a "Corsican cocktail" made with dark rum, Lillet Blanc, limoncello, soda water, fresh raspberries and a twist of lemon peel.

13 September 2019

3 hours (or less) from Paris: Prague #5





Goodbye for now to the sublime beauty that is Prague. 

Above: in-spiring sunsets

Below: Jewish cemetery; John Lennon Wall; a "Botero" chair




 
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PARIS - PRAGUE
 
Direct flights daily (1 hour 40 minutes) 

12 September 2019

3 hours (or less) from Paris: Prague #4





Prague (Praha in Czech) is called "The City of a Hundred Spires" for good reason.

Above: interiors of just a few of Prague's many churches; elaborate tomb of Svatý Jan Nepomucký, Saint John of Nepomuk, Prague's patron saint, inside Saint Vitus Cathedral  

Below: miracles have been attributed to The Infant Of Prague




10 September 2019

3 hours (or less) from Paris: Prague #2



Casual cafés and restaurants line the banks of the Vltava.

Below: perusing the menu with views of Charles Bridge; chef-helmed restaurants with open kitchens rival Paris' best; dry ice used to dramatic effect; chocolate as art






9 September 2019

3 hours (or less) from Paris: Prague #1




Prague's medieval Astronomical Clock pulls in crowds every hour to watch The Twelve Apostles put in an appearance when the chimes start.

Below: entertainment on Old Town Square and Charles Bridge