Two perfect beers for Halloween.
Merci Planète Bière 2020 Paris
Chef steps outside for a quick clope before lunch service.
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Yes, the French still smoke. A lot. At least from an American point of view, but a lot less than before. Since 2007, smoking has been strictly prohibited inside restaurants, cafés and bars, any and all enclosed and covered public spaces such as supermarkets, boutiques, hospitals and clinics, schools, public transportation, airports and in work spaces and offices (sorry "Emily In Paris") unless a company sets aside an area exclusively for fumeurs.
I was about to say that the stereotype sultry Frenchman of films noirs seated alone on a café terrasse--where smoking is allowed--quietly observing as he takes a drag is long passé, but astute habitués of this blog have pointed out the gentleman in the background behind Clotilde in my recent posting, “Messy French buns" (bottom photo). - BPJ
Below: this morning's lemon zest merveilles (accompanied by butter, jams, honey, coffee, tea)
Emily Brontë
Fall, leaves, fall; die, flowers, away;
Lengthen night and shorten day;
Every leaf speaks bliss to me
Fluttering from the autumn tree.
I shall smile when wreaths of snow
Blossom where the rose should grow;
I shall sing when night’s decay
Ushers in a drearier day.
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Autumn in Montmartre
In France, flowers are an integral part of life and in Paris, florists are as numerous as boulangeries. They lift spirits, add color and cheer wherever they appear, and symbolize romance, nature, optimism and the persistence of beauty. - BPJ
A turquoise bicycle is parked in front of a shuttered window only on Thursdays.
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As we head into the weekend you might have noticed that I've tweaked up the blog, slightly, making some of the photos larger and changing / enlarging text for easier reading - a work in progress as there are almost 2000 posts. The "About" page has been edited, and I’ve stopped posting synopses of monthly newsletters in “Nouveautés”. While the original concept of the photo blog will remain intact (Paris-related photos, with captions), I might start to include more commentary, perhaps book reviews, restaurant recommendations etc. We'll see.
Wishing all a splendid weekend as we prepare for a four-week (maybe longer, depending how it goes) couvre-feu that begins tonight in Paris, and other cities, between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. (specifics in French here).
Stay well. Stay safe. Get a dog (dog walking allowed!). - BPJ
As the number of coronavirus cases climbs ever-changing rules for cafés and restaurants are keeping wary habitués at a distance.
Paris' last surviving vineyard overlooks the city from its Montmartre perch.
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Merci à La Commanderie du Clos Montmartre
Above: the gratinéed foie gras-studded "mac cheese" fusion entrée that had everyone wishing they'd ordered the same
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This week: more Italian... "Monday night is Italian night!"... at home
Into the weekend with anachronistic sculptures by Catalan artist Gerard Mas.
Napoléon Bonaparte was shrewdly aware of the impact of images, and would commission paintings depicting him in scenes that never quite happened that way, for prosperity.
When I was writing for USA Today a tidbit of advice I'd pass on to readers was, "Try to avoid those cute Paris bistrots
with red and white checked tablecloths. As tempting as they are, they're usually tourist bait." But this Left Bank jewel that's been serving up French classics to a devoted clientèle since 1970 is an exception. - BPJ
Above: chef Rémi Lebron's "legendary" (quoting his menu) Bœuf Bourguignon w/grilled marrow bones warm up a chilly autumn evening
Paris woke up today wondering if a decision to close its restaurants and cafés yet again for a Phase II confinement had been made. And the virus continues....
In French, cuisine is a type of cooking, as in English, but it also translates literally to, "kitchen."
Above: cuisine de grandmère; a Paris cuisine
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Merci A&JM for an unforgettable evening
