30 May 2019

29 May 2019

27 May 2019

25 May 2019

A lunch table


Heading into the weekend with another hearty sit-down lunch, en famille.

Above: classic cassoulet; magrets de canard; foie gras ravioli; planche of artisanal charcuteries; AOC wine from the beautiful Bergerac



Le Comptoir de la Gastronomie
34 rue Montmartre 75001
 
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Merci encore for the special "extras"... 

23 May 2019

Red is for radish


Spring means radishes, and Paris market stalls are brimming.

Below: with home-made mayo, a twist on the classical French way of eating radishes (w/salt, butter and baguette); thinly sliced and fanned atop a crab risotto




20 May 2019

3 hours (or less) from Paris: Honfleur


Honfleur, fishing village charm in Normandy that was home to Impressionist Eugène Boudin.

Below: early a.m. start at Honfleur's sprawling Saturday open-air market on Place Sainte-Catherine; catching the full moon over the old port
 
(click to enlarge)


By car: 2 1/2 hours via A13
By train: just under 3 hours from Gare Saint-Lazare; several trains per day - search for train (to Rouen) / drive options

[close enough to be a day trip from Paris but recommended as romantic weekend getaway]

Where to Eat: Honfleur
 
June newsletter

18 May 2019

Bourbon Sours


This no-frills drink, or rather its sibling, the Whiskey Sour, became my go-to in-flight cocktail years ago thanks to a sweet older English lady sitting next to me on my way from London to Arizona. She said she always had one "for luck" whenever she flew, and I thought it a great idea. You'll feel like you're flying after a couple of these. - BPJ

Live jazz / piano nightly 

17 May 2019

Chasing the blues


Live music adds to a weekend antiquing experience at the Marchés aux Puces in the north of Paris, just outside the péripherique.

Look for:

La Chope des Puces
(mostly gypsy jazz / jazz manouche, a style started by Romani guitarist Jean "Django" Reinhardt in Paris during the 1930s)
122 rue des Rosiers 93400 Saint-Ouen
Tel: 01 40 11 28 80

Le Picolo
58 rue Jules Vallès 93400 Saint-Ouen
Tel: 01 40 11 11 19

Chez Louisette
(songs of vieux Paris; blues, jazz, spontaneous dancing) 
136 avenue Michelet 93400 Saint-Ouen
- inside the Vernaison flea market -
Tel: 01 40 12 10 14

16 May 2019

Fragments


Exquisite Roman antiquities. Where are they?
(hint: not a museum)

In June newsletter

15 May 2019

Egg on his face


A small gallery in the 12th shows off-the-radar contemporary art.

Atelier du Génie
28 Passage du Génie 75012


14 May 2019

Pieds dans l'eau



Much to take in biking along the Canal de l'Ourcq.

Above: a stop for tea-and-cake on the veranda of an artsy two-story "house" right on the water, where every room is different

Below: a peek inside; street art
 
(click photos to enlarge)



  Le Pavillon des Canaux
39 Quai de la Loire 75019

12 May 2019

Mothers Days


N'oubliez pas:

This year Mothers Day in France is celebrated Sunday, May 26th.

- Happy Mothers Day U.S.A. -

11 May 2019

If music be the food of love...



Cold and rainy Paris?
 
Here are two fun ideas for this weekend:

Above: "Chicago The Musical" at the Mogador Theater (all songs in English)



Below: "Four days of dining, drinking, and live entertainment for food enthusiasts!"

TASTE OF PARIS 2019
"Le Festival des Chefs"


 





10 May 2019

Paris-Brest


This version of classic buttercream pastry is loaded with crushed hazelnuts.

Yann Couvreur Pâtisserie
23bis rue des Rosiers 75004

9 May 2019

Hanging out


Sweeping views over the city from a heavenly Montmartre apartment.

Above: sunset; gin tonics al fresco; yours truly on one of the balconies
 
(click photos to enlarge)
 
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Merci Catherine and Christian

7 May 2019

Terrace chic


May is time for terrace dining.

Above: a fountain, a cobbled courtyard, parasols, sparkly lights

RALPH'S
173 Boulevard Saint-Germain 75006

Try: Maryland crab cakes; Maine lobster salad; grilled lamb chops with fava beans; beef carpaccio with horseradish

 


6 May 2019

4 May 2019

Going vegan


French cuisine is endlessly varied and this airy place at the foot of the Montmartre butte offers great value and healthy choices.

Above: creative veggie sharing planche for two; side salad of fennel, chick peas, walnuts and blue cheese

Below: mango dessert




Abattoir Végétal
61 rue Ramey 75018

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May newsletter
Nouveautés




3 May 2019

Market muguets


May 1st is La Fête du Travail, Labor Day, when muguets or lilies of the valley are given to loved ones.

Above: a forest of muguets for sale at an open-air market

Below: blooms for the lunch table; bright gariguette strawberries, back in season 




2 May 2019

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



Above: a floating tulip garden; an early café créme on a quiet square; anyone for chess?

Below: no visit to Amsterdam is complete without feasting on rijsttafel (traditional Indonesian multi-dish "rice table"), sampling Dutch cheeses at a street market or hopping on a bicycle....


 

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PARIS - AMSTERDAM  
 
Several direct flights daily
Total flight time: 1 hour 20 minutes

By train: Thalys from Paris Gare du Nord - 27 trains per day
[shortest travel time: 3 hours 17 minutes direct into Amsterdam Centraal]

More in May newsletter