Au Cheval Blanc

Recently had the most amazing, amazing meal I have had in a long time at the Cheval Blanc. I didn't take pictures except for this, but trust me. Five "official" courses, with wine pairings and all the in betweens. Fantastic service, inviting setting, love love loved it. Currently one-starred but I don't see why it can't earn another soon enough. Above is a photo of just one (yes, ONE!) of the amazing desserts that was on our menu. They called this the grand dessert, and each person at the table got this sampling of their sweets. Simply Amazing. They have tons of specials going on now because of a recent change in owner and it is worth the short drive from Strasbourg (or Germany if that be the case).

Oh, and did I mention I'm back in Paris now! Can't wait to write about my first meal back!!!

Au Cheval Blanc
http://www.au-cheval-blanc.fr/
4, rue de Wissembourg
67510 LEMBACH
Tél. : +33 (0)3 88 94 41 86
Reservations essential.

Ambiance & Styles

One of my favorite design and homeware stores in Strasbourg is Ambiance & Styles. I always drop in when I am looking for a unique souvenir from France to bring home to friends or family, and they do the most beautiful job of wrapping the presents with contrasting paper colors, ribbons and all.

They have almost every possible object by Valerie Nylin, a French designer who has a line of tableware and accessories:including some great reusable shopping bags that are around 6€ each. Valerie Nylin's designs involve simple illustrations captioned with some sort of joke or play on words in French.

Ambiance & Styles has a substantial Alessi section, a good kids/baby section, more serious/classic china and flatware, and a kitchen section with every imaginable doodad.

The thing that mystifies me is that they don't have any locations in Paris. The name and the logo looked so familiar, I was sure I had seen them before in Paris. I also can't think of any comparable American chain. Definitely check them out if you are in Strasbourg or near any of their other locations.

AMBIANCE ET STYLES
http://www.ambianceetstyles.com/
Place St Pierre Le Vieux
67000 STRASBOURG
Tél: 03 88 32 91 07
Tuesday-Saturday 10h - 19h

Biggest Dog Ever

Chillin' in a corner press shop in Lembach, Alsace. We had a long discussion with the owner about how she prefers big dogs to small dogs (my dog would be a light afternoon snack for this giant), our shared dislike of poodles, and her philosophies on training dogs. I can't remember the breed, but I do remember the weight of the dog: more than 60 kgs! Over 120 lbs! Wow.

Only in France

FNAC, the French equivalent to Best Buy or Circuit City, memorializes the protests of May 68 on all of their shopping bags, replacing their usual logo with a revolutionary fist. May 68 court toujours ≈ May 68 is still alive.

Hello Kitty Invasion!

Galeries Lafayette has paired up with Hello Kitty as part of their "Asiatic" theme, and the results are irresistible. Stuffed animals, coffee mugs, reusable shopping bags, stationary products: they all feature that famous Japanese cat against the Paris skyline and Galeries Lafayette logo. Yes, I bought the big shopping bag. And it took all my willpower not to buy the mug at the same time!