Archive for food
What to do on Sunday in Paris? A Survey
- Simple. Eat, walk, then eat again! Get sugar crepes at street vendors, try a cheese-tasting lunch (in addition to Androuet, we like Ferme St. Hubert in the 8th district at 21 rue Vignon, metro stop Madeline, closed Sunday), wander through street food markets – rue Mouffetard by metro Monge, enjoy draft Belgian abbey beers at most any cafe (Leffe is one good brand), have dinner at the classic Brasserie Balzar in the 5th, 49 rue des Ecoles – think mussels and leg-o-lamb. (And my next Paris food fix is not till November *sob*) Did I mention you should have the hot upside-down apple tart http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif ? (tartetatin2 )
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if you like ice cream at all, go to Bertillion as suggested above. You will wonder why all the fuss about Ben and Jerry’s and Haagen Daaz. Caramel is my favorite (there) as the flavor will EXPLODE in your mouth. If you like to walk outdoors, visit the Luxembourg Gardens and/or Tuilleries, walking from the Louvre up the Champs-Elysees all the way to the Arc de Triomphe. Wander through the Marais, making a stop at Place des Vosges. Stroll along the Seine. For fabulous views of Paris that you DON’T see on the postcards, ride that ferris wheel or visit roof of the Institut du Monde Arab or the rooftop of the Samaritaine Dept. store. (IluvParis)
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Don’t miss the boul. Raspail marche biologique on Sunday Mornings. Great organic calvados and crepes and comestibles. The calvados and cider make great presents. Good snack foods and fun to see parisiens shop. Afterwards, have a nice cup of tea or an espresso at Brasserie Lutetia and be amazed that you are in paris. I agree- the cluny is great, especially the new gardens. I would also ditto the institut du monde arabe and add the musee de l’arte moderne de la ville de Paris on av.president wilson. Musee Marmottan is great and not very crowded. The Passy and Parc Monceau neighborhoods are not often visited by tourists, its very flossy and interestingly Parisien. I would also hit Poilane on rue de cherche-midi if its open and pick up a pastry and a pain d’epices and mail the pain d’epices to me. Its an amazing bakery. (lalala)
2nd day @ Paris
Yesterday strolling around Hotel de’ ville, I walked pass a stunning display of outdoor landscaping plants and furnitures, I walked into the store, CASANova outdoors, to talk to the owner, a botanist and landscape artist who opened the store just four months ago. He said the idea of opening a store is to realize the synergies of landscaping and selling outdoor plants and furnitures products; the names of landscape artist are usually from directories, he wish to standout from the crowd and make a name for himself with this store. The products he sell are impressive indeed. The store owner travels all over France every week, and to Africa and other countries every year to find exotic plants that took their form from exotic environments. Most of them in the desert and the rain forest. At the time we were talking, he was doing research online to find plants that are resistant to frosts in the winter (on his clients’ request). His company purpose is “Conception, realisation et entretien de jardins et terrasses”. It is located at 24, avenue de Victoria Paris 75001, www.casanovafrance.com, 0140 284 845.
Last Night I had an amazing steak dinner at a restaurant Hippopotamus, I ordered a medium rare XL steak. Thank god, it was so tasty and tender, I literally screamed out Ha-la-lu-ya in my head. I closed my eyes to savor every chew when the sea salt melts with the protein to unleash that almost galvanizing flavor—all while listening to Bobby Darin’s Moon River. Walking out of the restaurant, I laughed out, standing out in the streets, I was I though I was in a dream! Its the best night I ever had so far in this trip. I was half-asleep, nodding, but overjoyed, on my metro ride home.
This morning I had some serious nasal and chest congestions as well as coughing, but it all resided after a good hot shower. I packed my bags and moved into an ibis hotel steps away from the Gare de Lyon station (31 bis,Bd Dideort 75012 Paris). My room is small but it has a balcony and a beautiful view! For only 105 euros a night, its an excellent value for money. For lunch, I had a club sandwich and Tea w/ Milk at a cafe across the stress of the Lyon station. It was def. very filling and I took the opportunity to use a few French phrases to order my meal. “Je Voudrais, Le Club Sandwich”, “Apportez-Moi du the, L’eau, avec du sucre, s’il vous plait.” and for asking the bill, please “L’addition, s’il vous plait”, “Merci!”. Also, at the hotel reception, to check in with reservation, “Je m’appelle Chong Wei Wong, J’ai reserve, s’il vous plait”. Just like that, I was handed a customer service feedback form, and a room with a view!
Right now its a hot sunny mid afternoon October day, the sky looks amazing with the clouds hobbling in clusters. I am taking off to enjoy the outdoors. Au Revoir!
