4 Cs-Champagne, Cartier, Chanel & Christmas in Paris 2013 were fantastic!
Dec 31st, 2013, 09:58 AM
#23
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Love it, aliced. Judy, back at home now, so it's a no go on the champagne tasting, but thanks anyway. Hi-TPAYT and thanks...honestly, I struggle to come up with titles (not really clever, at all ;-)
Dec 31st, 2013, 10:01 AM
#24
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Just realized there are no photo links yet....Day one and Verjus are below.
http://s1265.photobucket.com/user/de...?sort=3&page=1
http://s1265.photobucket.com/user/de...?sort=4&page=1
http://s1265.photobucket.com/user/de...?sort=3&page=1
http://s1265.photobucket.com/user/de...?sort=4&page=1
Dec 31st, 2013, 11:06 AM
#26
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Loving your report Denise.
"Strangely enough there is an amazing pizza place at the Atlanta airport that made a good pre-flight meal before leaving Atlanta, so we started with pizza margarita...very French."
Hmmmm, ATL is our home airport, but cannot figure out what/where this amazing pizza place is. Please share!
Looking forward to more installments.
"Strangely enough there is an amazing pizza place at the Atlanta airport that made a good pre-flight meal before leaving Atlanta, so we started with pizza margarita...very French."
Hmmmm, ATL is our home airport, but cannot figure out what/where this amazing pizza place is. Please share!
Looking forward to more installments.
Dec 31st, 2013, 11:34 AM
#27
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Great pictures! And while it may not have been fancy, that one crepe was very nicely "packaged."
We had the exact same experience at Verjus last May - from being crowded at the end of the bar before dinner, to the "who cares?" attitude about hearing English, to the wonderful food. And I agree, it is a steal.
We had the exact same experience at Verjus last May - from being crowded at the end of the bar before dinner, to the "who cares?" attitude about hearing English, to the wonderful food. And I agree, it is a steal.
Dec 31st, 2013, 12:16 PM
#28
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OK, we just put a prime rib in the oven, opening some Champs that Florent and Michael introduced us to when they were stateside last year and pouring it into some flutes we bought in Paris.
Julie, Christmas in Paris really is wonderful. More so when you aren't in the Storm of teh Century.
I know Waterdog...it can be so hard to synchronize schedules, especially when you are not in close proximity.
Gajayhawk...sadly I live in the ATL airport and with all the new food area renovations, they put a Verrasano's in at the back of the center A concourse food court. There is a Verrasano's on Peachtree and the airport location is just as good....super thin crust, wood burning oven. They have walk up, table and bar service and a pianist that plays (although one of them is the second coming of the Bill Murray lounge singer skit). Great spot for pizza margarita and some wine. Since we connected inDetroit we flew out of T, so lunch in the A concourse was easy. I know most airport pizza is no bueno but Verrasano's is really the only pizza I will eat now--dangerous to have it in my second home.
I am no photographer! I want to be like jamikins on that frront but Yankygal, glad you also enjoyed Verjus.
Julie, Christmas in Paris really is wonderful. More so when you aren't in the Storm of teh Century.
I know Waterdog...it can be so hard to synchronize schedules, especially when you are not in close proximity.
Gajayhawk...sadly I live in the ATL airport and with all the new food area renovations, they put a Verrasano's in at the back of the center A concourse food court. There is a Verrasano's on Peachtree and the airport location is just as good....super thin crust, wood burning oven. They have walk up, table and bar service and a pianist that plays (although one of them is the second coming of the Bill Murray lounge singer skit). Great spot for pizza margarita and some wine. Since we connected inDetroit we flew out of T, so lunch in the A concourse was easy. I know most airport pizza is no bueno but Verrasano's is really the only pizza I will eat now--dangerous to have it in my second home.
I am no photographer! I want to be like jamikins on that frront but Yankygal, glad you also enjoyed Verjus.
Dec 31st, 2013, 12:20 PM
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Our apartment last October was on rue Montpensier. We could walk out the door and go up a block to the Verjus wine bar. We had dinner in the restaurant once but ate twice in the wine bar...both evenings we got there early to get a barstool. They were days we had our bigger meal at lunchtime and the small plates were just perfect!
Dec 31st, 2013, 12:23 PM
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Denise...the Verjus menu looks great to me, seems like my kinda place!
Your prime rib and Champs for tonight sounds like a great way to ring in the new year! Wishing you a very happy new year filled with fun travels! ;-)
Your prime rib and Champs for tonight sounds like a great way to ring in the new year! Wishing you a very happy new year filled with fun travels! ;-)
Looking forward to more!
Dec 31st, 2013, 02:56 PM
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Day, 2 Saturday, December 21, 2013
Ordinarily, I crash hard the first night of a trip to Europe. Not this time, I was awake and so uncomfortable. My nose and throat were kinda burning…what is going on? It was a bit like sleeping inside a grill or smokehouse. Once we got up, we realized it was because of the fire place. We at least had doors we could close to keep that smell from reaching the bedroom for the rest of the trip. However, it did not make me want to hang around too much the living room in the apartment. No matter, as we try to be out and about and not hanging around our room/apartment too much anyway.
We all know that a major reason for the decline in civilization is the proliferation of Starbucks around the globe (think Number Two from the Austin Powers movies ). Sadly, this has happened in Paris and where they used to be few and far between, it took Mr. Starbucks no time to spot one near the apartment (ok, that happened on day one). He even got support from our driver the previous day on how great it is that you can take the coffee away. Another one bites the dust.
So, I had to beg for a minute to run by the boulangerie for the required pain au chocolat before making a beeline to ‘Bucks. But, I played this very well. I got in line with a plan to purchase 2 pain au chocolat. And then, I spotted them. I thought these were only figments of David Lebovitz’ imagination as I had heard about how tasty they are but had never laid eyes on them. Could it be? Chouquettes. I knew I could hook ‘Bucks Boy with these. I have spent years developing his sweet tooth and he HAS a sweet tooth now. Of course, I played it cool….”not sure you would want these, they’re so sweet”, “Ya know, I just picked’em up for me ‘cuz I didn’t think you would like them”. Oh, he wanted them and they were gone before we got to ‘Bucks. But, I “discovered” them and introduced them to him. Maybe there should be 5 Cs and Chouquettes should be included in the T/R title. Magic little choux pastry balls with pearl sugar on them. Not quite as good as our favorite fluffy, “dough” balls we had in Rome but they were fabulous. I should be able to parlay this find into an advantage or a favor or something, and we were on the way to Chanel.
Starbucks, a fresh squeezed OJ, a trip to the ATM and a trip to Monoprix for mascara (for me, not Monsieur Starbucks) and we were on our way to rue Cambon.
I am fascinated by Coco Chanel and her story. This woman came from nothing, made her way and created something that is recognized as the premier fashion house of all time. Love her or hate her, she was ahead of her time and built something big. I was thrilled on our last visit to be allowed to observe the famed mirrored staircase leading to her private apartment. Mademoiselle would watch her fashion shows from the staircase…iconic.
We arrived and to quote Sex and the City….”Chanello”! (OK, Bonjour! We wouldn’t actually say “Chanello” but I was thinking it. )
I came to buy something this time. I have visited and always said “no, no, I don’t need anything”. But this time, I was on a mission for a little jewelry (bijoux, costume, not fine jewelry). It was Christmas, I have worked my “behind” off this year and I discovered the chouquettes. That makes me worthy of a little Chanel, right?
Well, the best laid plans…I found the dream item, tried it on, loved it, etc…It was all going so well and then they asked for a passport. Darn, I hate walking around with my passport as losing it is a painful problem and the copies I made were also back in the apartment. My selection was the last one they had. Would they “hold” it on the Saturday before Christmas? They promised to hold it and we could come back anytime that day. But, I wasn’t gonna chance it. Off to find a cab to fetch the passports and return to claim my “prize”.
First cab, not interested in having passengers and makes ya wonder why he was in the cab lineup. Next taxi, OK, he is free and we got in. And then the curse of my really awful French (with an American, Southern accent). I stated the address and he shook his head. Uh oh. What to do? I can say “ecrit” and he understood and he started searching for “un stylo”. Minutes passed and finally a pen. I wrote the address and he said it back to me, like that is not at all what I said to him. And then, the GPS couldn’t “find” the address. Really? My necklace, “the precious” is waiting and could be walking out with someone else. I am turning into Gollum in the taxi. Come on! I wrote the name of the Metro station close by and off we went, in bumper to bumper traffic along the Seine. Geez. (Boy, am I sick of my passport! I think it is trying to push me over the edge this trip). OK, we finally got the passport, got back to rue Cambon and obtained “The Precious”. It’s mine, it’s mine. “One Chanel necklace to rule them all”. It was wrapped beautifully and the staff at Chanel is very lovely and accommodating. We enjoyed our experience there.
Back on the street and I immediately feel that people are after “The Precious” and I start looking for ways to disguise it. Paris Pickpockets after my Precious…..and the woman who waited on us at the next store advised us to be careful. I guess a Chanel shopping bag is a bit of a target, especially with streets packed with Christmas shoppers.
More shopping on rue St. Honore and we happened on the very modern and cool Mandarin Oriental. Really pretty hotel with a great courtyard. A trip to Guerlain (for their wonderful bronzer), Maille for mustard and Maison de Famille. I have always wanted to find some champagne flutes in Paris and this time we found a fun set of 6 at Maison de Famille. Lots of people out, beautiful decorations and a carbohydrate crash. Time for lunch. Carrying those packages is hard work!
We stopped in at Les Trois Quartiers for something simple. A little red wine for Chaz and Sancerre for me. Croque Monsieur for him and an omelet for me. Both came with fries and a small green salad. Nothing fancy but solid and all we wanted. No dessert, but a diet coke for me and an espresso for Chaz before we headed back to the apartment to store our loot.
23 Boulevard Madeleine
75001 Paris
A little clean up time and we decided to head to rue Faubourg St Honore for a bit more window shopping, Christmas lights and decorations, and maybe a drink before our dinner at Les 110 Taillevent.
We got off the Metro and walked up rue Royale toward the Madeleine church and then onto Faubourg St Honore. It was busy and the street was traffic central. Even if you got a taxi, you couldn’t move but we didn’t care. The Hermes window was a stunning scene full of succulent plants. I could not even think of something like that. I also can’t imagine walking out of Hermes with 6-7 bags full of purchases but we also saw that. We visited Chanel there, where I then got obsessed with a collector’s edition scarf with a dragon motif, a beautiful Burberry boutique and a few other boutiques. Then we started looking for a place to stop in for a drink. We found “Bread and Roses” and spotted 2 seats at the bar.
http://www.breadandroses.fr
25, rue Boissy d’Anglas, Paris 75008
Chaz got some version of Guinness we don’t have in the US and I got….yep, Champagne. They brought some of the best green olives (fresh and it seemed packed in water rather than oil, really good), tapenade and some hot bread with olives in it to snack on. It was nice to hang out and chat.
And then we headed down the street to Les 110 Taillevent. And we walked, and walked and walked. Serious miscalculation in how far “down the street” the restaurant really was. Just when we thought we would never get there, we finally did and I was looking forward to plopping into a chair. For that reason, and because there was a table with small children right next to the bar, we decided to sit at a table rather than the bar. I hear the bar is great to sit at but I needed a regular chair and no “fussing or crying” during my dinner.
We anxiously ordered and awaited our Bruno Paillard Rose Champagne. We can’t get Bruno Paillard in our area and we have enjoyed it in Paris on previous visits, but never had the Rose before.
It did not disappoint. One great thing about Les 110 Taillevent is the huge selection of wines by the glass (I believe the 110 is for 110 wines by the glass) and they bring little stem “cards” that has the name of the wine on it.
This restaurant is very modern inside but still warm. I really like the décor and they have a few walls made of green glass wine bottles that are lit up that provide a nice glow.
The menu has plenty to choose from and we enjoyed our meal very much.
I started out with pumpkin soup topped with crispy prosciutto. Chaz had grilled squid over a green salad with chorizo. Both were excellent.
The main courses were entrecote with pomme puree for me. Grilled lamb chops for Chaz with zucchini, mint, almonds and chorizo. All good, no complaints.
Dessert was the “childhood memories” assortment consisting of small sized chocolate mousse, crème caramel, rice pudding with some sort of nut brittle on top and Ile flottante. Again, all good but the crème caramel was the best for both of us. The mousse was the least favorite…maybe a bit dry, but it was by no means bad.
http://taillevent.com/les-110-de-taillevent-brasserie/
You can reserve on line with email confirmation.
BRASSERIE LES 110 DE TAILLEVENT
195 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré
75008 Paris
After the hike getting here, we got the server to get us cab back to the apartment. I don’t know this area that well and I am sure there is likely a close bus or Metro stop, but we weren’t up to searching for it. It is not too far from the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysee.
We listened to our favorite French music and a little Christmas music on the iPad while we were wrapping up our night back at the apartment (while remembering to close the door to the smoky fireplace)! Night, Paris.
Ordinarily, I crash hard the first night of a trip to Europe. Not this time, I was awake and so uncomfortable. My nose and throat were kinda burning…what is going on? It was a bit like sleeping inside a grill or smokehouse. Once we got up, we realized it was because of the fire place. We at least had doors we could close to keep that smell from reaching the bedroom for the rest of the trip. However, it did not make me want to hang around too much the living room in the apartment. No matter, as we try to be out and about and not hanging around our room/apartment too much anyway.
We all know that a major reason for the decline in civilization is the proliferation of Starbucks around the globe (think Number Two from the Austin Powers movies ). Sadly, this has happened in Paris and where they used to be few and far between, it took Mr. Starbucks no time to spot one near the apartment (ok, that happened on day one). He even got support from our driver the previous day on how great it is that you can take the coffee away. Another one bites the dust.
So, I had to beg for a minute to run by the boulangerie for the required pain au chocolat before making a beeline to ‘Bucks. But, I played this very well. I got in line with a plan to purchase 2 pain au chocolat. And then, I spotted them. I thought these were only figments of David Lebovitz’ imagination as I had heard about how tasty they are but had never laid eyes on them. Could it be? Chouquettes. I knew I could hook ‘Bucks Boy with these. I have spent years developing his sweet tooth and he HAS a sweet tooth now. Of course, I played it cool….”not sure you would want these, they’re so sweet”, “Ya know, I just picked’em up for me ‘cuz I didn’t think you would like them”. Oh, he wanted them and they were gone before we got to ‘Bucks. But, I “discovered” them and introduced them to him. Maybe there should be 5 Cs and Chouquettes should be included in the T/R title. Magic little choux pastry balls with pearl sugar on them. Not quite as good as our favorite fluffy, “dough” balls we had in Rome but they were fabulous. I should be able to parlay this find into an advantage or a favor or something, and we were on the way to Chanel.
Starbucks, a fresh squeezed OJ, a trip to the ATM and a trip to Monoprix for mascara (for me, not Monsieur Starbucks) and we were on our way to rue Cambon.
I am fascinated by Coco Chanel and her story. This woman came from nothing, made her way and created something that is recognized as the premier fashion house of all time. Love her or hate her, she was ahead of her time and built something big. I was thrilled on our last visit to be allowed to observe the famed mirrored staircase leading to her private apartment. Mademoiselle would watch her fashion shows from the staircase…iconic.
We arrived and to quote Sex and the City….”Chanello”! (OK, Bonjour! We wouldn’t actually say “Chanello” but I was thinking it. )
I came to buy something this time. I have visited and always said “no, no, I don’t need anything”. But this time, I was on a mission for a little jewelry (bijoux, costume, not fine jewelry). It was Christmas, I have worked my “behind” off this year and I discovered the chouquettes. That makes me worthy of a little Chanel, right?
Well, the best laid plans…I found the dream item, tried it on, loved it, etc…It was all going so well and then they asked for a passport. Darn, I hate walking around with my passport as losing it is a painful problem and the copies I made were also back in the apartment. My selection was the last one they had. Would they “hold” it on the Saturday before Christmas? They promised to hold it and we could come back anytime that day. But, I wasn’t gonna chance it. Off to find a cab to fetch the passports and return to claim my “prize”.
First cab, not interested in having passengers and makes ya wonder why he was in the cab lineup. Next taxi, OK, he is free and we got in. And then the curse of my really awful French (with an American, Southern accent). I stated the address and he shook his head. Uh oh. What to do? I can say “ecrit” and he understood and he started searching for “un stylo”. Minutes passed and finally a pen. I wrote the address and he said it back to me, like that is not at all what I said to him. And then, the GPS couldn’t “find” the address. Really? My necklace, “the precious” is waiting and could be walking out with someone else. I am turning into Gollum in the taxi. Come on! I wrote the name of the Metro station close by and off we went, in bumper to bumper traffic along the Seine. Geez. (Boy, am I sick of my passport! I think it is trying to push me over the edge this trip). OK, we finally got the passport, got back to rue Cambon and obtained “The Precious”. It’s mine, it’s mine. “One Chanel necklace to rule them all”. It was wrapped beautifully and the staff at Chanel is very lovely and accommodating. We enjoyed our experience there.
Back on the street and I immediately feel that people are after “The Precious” and I start looking for ways to disguise it. Paris Pickpockets after my Precious…..and the woman who waited on us at the next store advised us to be careful. I guess a Chanel shopping bag is a bit of a target, especially with streets packed with Christmas shoppers.
More shopping on rue St. Honore and we happened on the very modern and cool Mandarin Oriental. Really pretty hotel with a great courtyard. A trip to Guerlain (for their wonderful bronzer), Maille for mustard and Maison de Famille. I have always wanted to find some champagne flutes in Paris and this time we found a fun set of 6 at Maison de Famille. Lots of people out, beautiful decorations and a carbohydrate crash. Time for lunch. Carrying those packages is hard work!
We stopped in at Les Trois Quartiers for something simple. A little red wine for Chaz and Sancerre for me. Croque Monsieur for him and an omelet for me. Both came with fries and a small green salad. Nothing fancy but solid and all we wanted. No dessert, but a diet coke for me and an espresso for Chaz before we headed back to the apartment to store our loot.
23 Boulevard Madeleine
75001 Paris
A little clean up time and we decided to head to rue Faubourg St Honore for a bit more window shopping, Christmas lights and decorations, and maybe a drink before our dinner at Les 110 Taillevent.
We got off the Metro and walked up rue Royale toward the Madeleine church and then onto Faubourg St Honore. It was busy and the street was traffic central. Even if you got a taxi, you couldn’t move but we didn’t care. The Hermes window was a stunning scene full of succulent plants. I could not even think of something like that. I also can’t imagine walking out of Hermes with 6-7 bags full of purchases but we also saw that. We visited Chanel there, where I then got obsessed with a collector’s edition scarf with a dragon motif, a beautiful Burberry boutique and a few other boutiques. Then we started looking for a place to stop in for a drink. We found “Bread and Roses” and spotted 2 seats at the bar.
http://www.breadandroses.fr
25, rue Boissy d’Anglas, Paris 75008
Chaz got some version of Guinness we don’t have in the US and I got….yep, Champagne. They brought some of the best green olives (fresh and it seemed packed in water rather than oil, really good), tapenade and some hot bread with olives in it to snack on. It was nice to hang out and chat.
And then we headed down the street to Les 110 Taillevent. And we walked, and walked and walked. Serious miscalculation in how far “down the street” the restaurant really was. Just when we thought we would never get there, we finally did and I was looking forward to plopping into a chair. For that reason, and because there was a table with small children right next to the bar, we decided to sit at a table rather than the bar. I hear the bar is great to sit at but I needed a regular chair and no “fussing or crying” during my dinner.
We anxiously ordered and awaited our Bruno Paillard Rose Champagne. We can’t get Bruno Paillard in our area and we have enjoyed it in Paris on previous visits, but never had the Rose before.
It did not disappoint. One great thing about Les 110 Taillevent is the huge selection of wines by the glass (I believe the 110 is for 110 wines by the glass) and they bring little stem “cards” that has the name of the wine on it.
This restaurant is very modern inside but still warm. I really like the décor and they have a few walls made of green glass wine bottles that are lit up that provide a nice glow.
The menu has plenty to choose from and we enjoyed our meal very much.
I started out with pumpkin soup topped with crispy prosciutto. Chaz had grilled squid over a green salad with chorizo. Both were excellent.
The main courses were entrecote with pomme puree for me. Grilled lamb chops for Chaz with zucchini, mint, almonds and chorizo. All good, no complaints.
Dessert was the “childhood memories” assortment consisting of small sized chocolate mousse, crème caramel, rice pudding with some sort of nut brittle on top and Ile flottante. Again, all good but the crème caramel was the best for both of us. The mousse was the least favorite…maybe a bit dry, but it was by no means bad.
http://taillevent.com/les-110-de-taillevent-brasserie/
You can reserve on line with email confirmation.
BRASSERIE LES 110 DE TAILLEVENT
195 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré
75008 Paris
After the hike getting here, we got the server to get us cab back to the apartment. I don’t know this area that well and I am sure there is likely a close bus or Metro stop, but we weren’t up to searching for it. It is not too far from the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysee.
We listened to our favorite French music and a little Christmas music on the iPad while we were wrapping up our night back at the apartment (while remembering to close the door to the smoky fireplace)! Night, Paris.
Jan 1st, 2014, 08:06 AM
#39
Great photos of Notre dame with the bright blue sky. I also liked the bride & groom in the park with nobody around. We've seen many such scenes but because we usually go in Sept. the bride & groom are never alone in the photos.
The food details are always something I look forward to. This year we're going in June and I'm going to look for those chouquettes.
Waiting for your report on Marco Polo (MDH's favorite place in Paris.) Since we usually stay on Ile St. Louis I'd be interested in a comparison of the area you stayed in this time to your other visits.
Jan 1st, 2014, 08:25 AM
#40
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Thanks everyone.
By popular demand, a link to a photo of the necklace:
http://s1265.photobucket.com/user/de...brary/Necklace
By popular demand, a link to a photo of the necklace:
http://s1265.photobucket.com/user/de...brary/Necklace
