tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-184616822011-10-30T23:54:28.495+01:00Life in Paris, though no longer anywhere near Etienne MarcelEtiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.comBlogger1751100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-7180823328551800772008-10-15T23:21:00.002+02:002008-10-15T23:27:59.456+02:00

But you know, that would be too easy.I just realized that the Fete d'Auvergne was actually last weekend, not this weekend. This is one amazing market, so amazing it is only once a year! The auvergnats invade Bercy for the weekend, selling traditional products and hosting cultural events and activities. I discovered this on accident a few years ago when a friend and I happened to stumble upon

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-2136407144219101932008-10-03T16:35:00.003+02:002008-10-03T16:54:37.156+02:00

This is one of the stands that rents out toy boats in the Jardin de Luxembourg. If you pass by on a Wednesday, you're likely to see the young French children, accompanied by their nounous, pushing around these old-fashioned wooden sailboats in the large pond in the park. And you might even be lucky enough to witness elementary-school style drama: there's always "that" kid, with a remote-control

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-89836954174076054292008-09-23T08:35:00.003+02:002008-09-23T08:35:00.556+02:00

This graffiti certainly stands out on from the rest of this small road in St-Germain.

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-56571135774535908082008-09-21T20:34:00.000+02:002008-09-21T20:34:00.954+02:00

maybe you should think again. Apparently punctually resolving claims isn't its strong point. The sign reads "The accident was May 12, we're insured by MACIF!"Short and sweet, it certainly makes its point: the sign is hanging firm, over four months after the initial fire. This antique/thrift shop in the 6th closes up at night by putting boards through the window panes.  I don't know the story

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-61801403239686926632008-09-08T14:35:00.002+02:002008-09-08T14:38:21.062+02:00

Where can I find seedless grapes (besides Atac and Auchan)? Just wondering if anyone out there has seen any.Real posts on the way, promise.Oh, also, all the gyms/salles de yoga and pilates are EXORBITANT. I was just quoted 185/month for a gym. It took all my willpower not to laugh out loud. Does anyone have any experience taking classes at the municipal sport/loisirs centres?

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-88903839724624317992008-07-10T13:13:00.000+02:002008-12-11T02:29:26.519+01:00

Les Papilles is one of the best values for those of you adventurous enough to accept whatever the chef deigns to serve you. For you have only one option when eating here: the 31 € "retour du marche" menu which includes entree, main dish, cheese, and dessert course. I lucked out with every course on my first visit, and had a great meal.We were an hour late (oops), so we got relegated to the

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-15524713211855734332008-07-05T20:27:00.000+02:002008-12-11T02:29:26.700+01:00

So not having internet...kind of annoying. But now housing is all sorted out (nope, won't even go there!) and internet is too and I'd thought I'd share this lovely surprise that greeted us while walking home one evening a few weeks ago.Le Figaro is currently exhibiting "30 ans d'emotion" at the Jardin du Luxembourg, with some of the most moving images in the past 30 years, many of which were

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-6084536544625740532008-06-13T06:14:00.005+02:002008-12-11T02:29:26.875+01:00

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

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-9825088428509477082008-06-09T14:31:00.003+02:002008-12-11T02:29:27.239+01:00

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

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-80670258787111449252008-06-07T15:23:00.000+02:002008-12-11T02:29:27.510+01:00

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.

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-72705362834913300632008-06-05T03:57:00.000+02:002008-12-11T02:29:27.729+01:00

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.

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-44762936174402652932008-06-03T03:40:00.003+02:002008-12-11T02:29:27.878+01:00

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!

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-3313942457310742302008-04-10T13:19:00.000+02:002008-12-11T02:29:28.756+01:00

R and I had been running around all day, and we needed to stop and breathe before we rushed on to dinner with friends. We first went by l'Epicerie, but as usual it was totally packed, so R suggested this place. Loved it! So cute, great menu, great atmosphere, great happy hour specials, ok service: a keeper for sure.I got my usual pot of earl grey, while R took advantage of their happy hour

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-47765696836699863892008-04-06T19:09:00.002+02:002008-12-11T02:29:28.866+01:00

This replica of the Statue of Liberty is right outside of Colmar, where Frédéric Bartholdi was born. It's actually in the middle of a traffic circle, and I did a double take as we were going around it, but was still able to take a photo in time. Just not what I expected when traveling along a French road.

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-78805571881541487652008-04-04T14:13:00.000+02:002008-12-11T02:29:29.630+01:00

So what is there to see in Selestat, a town between Strasbourg and Colmar?Well, there was this churchand that churchThere's also the Maison du Pain, a museum on the history of bread. We didn't go into the museum, but I did treat myself to one each of these meringues from their adjoining bakery:Mmmmm.Selestat is also known for its Humanist Library, but we didn't visit it.Finally, I love these

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-63107392167146414902008-04-02T18:14:00.000+02:002008-12-11T02:29:30.753+01:00

Continuing on with our Formule Jeunes adventure, R & I made reservations at the Buerehiesel, a one-starred restaurant smack dab in the middle of Orangerie Park. This restaurant lost its three stars when the father handed it over to the son, but Eric Westermann was awarded his first star in this year's Michelin guide. We didn't know what to expect, and after the Auberge de l'Ill it was hard not

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-85101501277128615382008-03-30T14:21:00.001+02:002008-12-11T02:29:31.765+01:00

I said I would write more about Colmar, so here goes. Colmar is an adorable Alsatian town worthy of at least an afternoon visit if not more. Our afternoon stroll took us through the old town, each storefront more wonderfully Alsatian than the next.There was also a church,the famous Bretzels of Colmar (that I didn't try), And a door marked from the 15th centuryand just beyond the passageway to

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-28605423965021579142008-03-29T21:07:00.010+01:002008-12-11T02:29:36.542+01:00

To celebrate the coming of Spring, and to take advantage of the Formule Jeunes promotion while it lasts, R and I made reservations at Auberge de l'Ill, which has had its 3 stars since 1967! Quite the Alsatian establishment.All of the photos might be a little dark because I didn't use a flash.We were served this cute platter almost immediately, accompanied by champagne. From top to bottom:

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-44896266909903491742008-03-24T00:01:00.001+01:002008-12-11T02:29:37.302+01:00

At the mall in Strasbourg, there were easter bunnies passing out chocolate eggs: I wonder if the French children were confused that there weren't any bells handing out the chocolates.And at the easter market in Colmar,there were real bunnies! The easter market itself was adorable, with festive goods and decorated trees. Who knew? More on Colmar to come...

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-3772975060913976252008-01-27T16:59:00.000+01:002008-12-11T02:29:37.694+01:00

Or, the tea salon that could've been.This tea salon had everything going for it. A plentiful display of every pastry or cake imaginable as you walk in; a menu with pages and pages of different types of teas; cosy interior; chic clientele and waiters that were even more chic. I was ready to compare it to Demmer's in Vienna (the ultimate tea salon) or even Sketch in London.But then I realized it

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-47671988894092013012008-01-27T16:13:00.000+01:002008-12-11T02:29:37.846+01:00

For anyone who cares (or is still reading this blog): the Hermes store in Toulouse has a few Birkin bags in stock; sizes/color/leather/price vary.For people like me, who wouldn't be able to afford such a bag even 2 years from now (the longest wait possible in Toulouse depending on what you want), this news is no comfort.

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-42683013535293470292008-01-20T19:31:00.000+01:002008-12-11T02:29:38.108+01:00

You can't deny the French this: they have a sense of ritual when it comes to coffee and tea. Even dingy bars, still reeking of their smoking years, will offer a proper pot of hot water complete with cup and saucer and sugar cubes. So this doesn't always happen, and sometimes you might just get lipton yellow instead of a choice of teas or infusions. Compare this to the unromantic steps needed

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-25839624512539652242008-01-19T18:44:00.000+01:002008-12-11T02:29:44.015+01:00

In my original post on Ax-les-thermes, I mentioned the springs, the ski slopes, and the casino. But another good reason to spend an afternoon there is the bib gourmand restaurant and hotel, Le Chalet.Le Chalet has a couple different menus. There is the weekday lunch one, which is a deal at 22€ for 3 courses; a 2-course choice from the menu for 26€; a 3-course choice for 30€; 4-courses for 36€;

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-66876726844155013802008-01-09T14:47:00.000+01:002008-12-11T02:29:45.282+01:00

We have been exploring l'Ariege and Midi-Pyrenees slowly but surely, making daytrips or afternoon visits here and there. Last weekend we went to Ax-les-thermes, which is known mainly for 3 things: the hot springs, the ski slopes, and the casino. Even though we did not partake in any of these activities, we still enjoyed our afternoon there.Springs, fountains, and spigots with the hot spring

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-38536853747010243792008-01-06T13:24:00.000+01:002008-12-11T02:29:45.580+01:00

We recently spent an afternoon in Mirepoix. Besides the church, and the cute buildings in the center of the town, there's not much to see or do. There aren't even any bars or restaurants worth mentioning! Still cute and still worthy of an afternoon visit.tags: sights

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-58791277595776053762007-11-28T01:17:00.000+01:002007-11-28T14:07:44.910+01:00

So I discovered a nifty new site today that will find all the grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, etc near a certain address and calculate a "walkability" score: www.walkscore.com. And the best news: it works for France too! I thought my Parisian neighborhood would do better than the lowly 71,* because I had no problems getting all my major errands done: my bank was 2 blocks away, the

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-85636928154112568362007-10-17T11:21:00.000+02:002008-12-11T02:29:47.686+01:00

Wow. This feels wierd. An actual blog post. Imagine that.Anyways. In Toulouse for the day, wanted to try a great resto, but there are no bib gourmands in Toulouse! Or at least none that turn up on ViaMichelin.fr. So instead I turned to my backup online guide, lefooding.com, and decided to go with J'Go, even though it bothered me that they have a resto at Paris too. (At first I felt like it

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-28918164074744451042007-05-08T15:56:00.000+02:002007-05-09T04:48:26.096+02:00

I'm not in France anymore, but through the magic of the internet I have been able to follow things closely. I'd like to share some of the YouTube goldmines I've seen in these past few days.Sarko's interview with Charlie Rose (Sarko is translated in English). I guess it's one of the few where he hasn't totally been able to control his image - look how miniature he looks! Part I, where Rose asks

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-11034241349152104482007-04-06T16:05:00.000+02:002008-12-11T02:29:48.758+01:00

I've been in Belgium for how long, and not even one mention of chocolate? Blasphemy. Not to worry. I did save the best for last, and so I hope this post will satisfy any chocoholics out there. There are 4 main chocolate brands that you will see plastered everywhere in Brussels: Pierre Marcolini, Neuhaus, Godiva, and Leonidas. Leonidas is the cheapest, and its shops can be found in many of the

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-5894411004641660292007-04-05T23:07:00.000+02:002008-12-11T02:29:49.425+01:00

Dock's cafe, as if you couldn't tell by the name, is just across the street from the boardwalk in Antwerp. And as you might expect, their specialties are seafood. A bib gourmand in the Michelin Guide, Dock's Cafe has a set lunch menu during the week for 15€, and a range of weekly set menus that start at 23€. We were too late for the lunch menu, and although all the dishes on the 23€ set menu

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-80042352623438890112007-04-04T22:23:00.000+02:002008-12-11T02:29:51.478+01:00

Antwerp is an easy day trip from Brussels. Trains run every 30 minutes (and sometimes even more frequently), it only takes about 45 minutes to get to the Central Train Station in Antwerp, and my open round trip ticket was just under 7€. What more could you ask for?When we stepped out of the train station, faced with the streets lined with jewelry shops, my boyfriend suddenly had sweaty palms: had

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-13981066147552743382007-04-03T14:49:00.000+02:002008-12-11T02:29:52.603+01:00

And now for a momentary respite from all the food blogging...on to the streets of Brussels!While the SmartCar Roadster wasn't exactly a rarity in Paris, they are elusive creatures. I never managed to get a good, clear photo til I was in Brussels. Hawt. But those "rims" have gotsta go!A Caterham kit car (I think it just looks like a flashier dune buggy):A PGO (still trying to figure out what this

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-91214707776759732412007-04-02T17:36:00.000+02:002008-12-11T02:29:54.056+01:00

9:30 on a Friday night. We had been walking, not quite aimlessly, for at least 2 hours and my feet were killing me. The bib gourmand tapas bar which doesn't take reservations was totally packed with no signs of clearing out before the kitchen closed; another bib gourmand, l'idiot du village, was also full. Making our way towards Avenue Louise, we passed in front of Restaurant JB, a disarmingly

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-52282023884590576842007-03-29T13:57:00.000+02:002008-12-11T02:29:55.486+01:00

The Bistrot du Mail is a bib gourmand in the Ixelles district. Having been turned away once because they were packed, this time we made sure to call ahead and reserve.I've got to say, the bib gourmand category does not translate as well in Belgium as it did in France: here it seems to represent a wider variety of restaurants, and usually at much more expensive prices than in France, and even

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-33115525458211152462007-03-27T15:03:00.000+02:002008-12-11T02:29:56.680+01:00

So we had wanted to go to Le Bistro du Mail, but it was totally packed with no sign of clearing up anytime soon. (Note to self: call ahead next time!) Making our way through the neighborhood to check out the other restaurants nearby, we passed in front of Le Pavilion, which my boyfriend had always wanted to try. This is exactly the type of place my boyfriend loves: casual, cosy, with worn,

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-30115461658629039022007-03-22T15:32:00.000+01:002008-12-11T02:30:00.247+01:00

One thing I've noticed about restaurants in Brussels is the large disparity in lunch and dinner prices. Case in point: Marie, a one-star restaurant in the Ixelles neighborhood. Their 4-course dinner menu is 56€, but their 2-course lunch menu is only 17€. Can you guess which one I'm going to blog about?It goes without saying that the 17€ lunch menu is a steal. Luckily for me, on the day we went,

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-2884295474452437362007-03-20T11:26:00.000+01:002008-12-11T02:30:01.650+01:00

For my first night in Brussels, of course I wanted to have typical fare: mussels and fries. We went to Le Chou de Bruxelles, a cute little place not too far from the boyfriend's apartment, which offers around 30 varieties of mussels, all between 18 - 20€. My boyfriend opted for their menu, which is a good value: 25€ for 3 courses, which includes the entire menu, with only a handful of items that

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-4373777215779490992007-02-17T22:23:00.000+01:002008-12-11T02:30:02.242+01:00

What makes me never ever want to go to a restaurant is when I see that the background on the website is a photo of the chef, talking on a cell phone.Like, oh, say, this one.Obnoxious much?I think it's the cellphone that does it for me, though the "windswept" hair doesn't help, either.This chef's London restaurant is one of my favorite ever*, but that photo just makes me smirk and roll my eyes.*I

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-58701156261515312082007-02-11T20:03:00.000+01:002008-12-11T02:30:03.909+01:00

Grocery Shopping EditionThe store brand package designs are minimal, clean, and sadly do not feature picketing cartoon characters. (But the name is much funnier when imagined in a Borat voice.)The beef jerky aisle rivals that of the entire meat section of my corner grocery in Paris.Grill packs to go for ~$10.The gas station's coolers make it so easy to shop for that 40s or Hurricane-themed party

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-21556100971375647742007-02-04T16:58:00.000+01:002007-02-04T17:14:59.659+01:00

Just to give you a little perspective on those last posts about Strasbourg, I suggest you check out this article in the New York Times, "At the Crossroads, Between Red Tape and Red Hot" which claims that Strasbourg will become a hoppin' "fun" weekend destination with the arrival of the TGV. I think it is definitely a great weekend trip, if not more, but I'm not sold on their account of Strasbourg

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1169910465813283262007-01-27T15:48:00.000+01:002007-02-17T23:52:41.358+01:00

who appears to be more invested in this blog than me*: I am back in the States for now, I will return to France temporarily sometime this spring and for all future vacations, the permanent move will be coming in the next year or so. I will no longer be posting or moderating comments, except for when I am back in France [edit/update: or feel like writing about French stuff].Thank you to all who

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1169300444140213942007-01-20T14:36:00.000+01:002007-04-05T23:24:33.714+02:00

L'ami Schutz, the picture of modesty and restraint, was the Winstub I chose to try out another Formule Jeunes, an annual Alsatian promotion offering special set menu prices for customers under 35. Assuming that participation in this promotion was a sort of stamp of approval from Etoiles d'Alsace, I happily made reservations here. Not comparing it to a starred restaurant, but expecting hearty,

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1168965858848442682007-01-16T17:42:00.000+01:002007-04-05T23:24:33.715+02:00

L'épicerie is the sort of adorable, cosy cafe you turn to when you need to warm up, want to meet friends, or just need a quick bite to eat. Tucked in a prime location, on a small road between the main shopping areas (Galeries Lafayette, Place Kleber) and the Cathedral, it took three tries on three separate occasions before I was able to get a table and experience the goodness for myself.And my,

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1168765452998669072007-01-14T09:48:00.000+01:002007-01-14T10:04:13.013+01:00

In French, the Where's Waldo? books are renamed Où est Charlie?. For the French political version of this children's classic, let's see if you can find Chirac in this photo (bonus points if you can guess his final ranking out of ~100):And see if you can find the current prime minister Dominique de Villepin, the socialist candidate for president, Ségolène Royal, and the head of the French

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1168594243839171742007-01-12T10:20:00.000+01:002007-04-05T23:24:33.716+02:00

On a side street off of one of the main squares, Place Kleber, lies the only two-starred restaurant in Strasbourg proper, Au Crocodile. Last night we had reservations there and we had an amazing time. And thank your lucky stars, because I have pictures of everything we ate except the first amuse-bouche.* We were first served the obligatory palate cleanser, which in my case was more of a gag

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1168376347051552192007-01-09T21:33:00.000+01:002007-04-05T23:24:33.716+02:00

Today I went out to preview the sales for tomorrow. I did it more on accident than on purpose -- I had a legitimate errand to run, thank you very much -- but I couldn't help and take a look around once I was there. Not only were the stores dead, you'd think I'd entered a construction zone! There are no elves to work the magic overnight: the sales staff has worked well in advance in preparation of

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1168257895911407082007-01-08T13:01:00.000+01:002007-04-05T23:24:33.717+02:00

With a lazy Sunday afternoon ahead of me, I had the perfect opportunity to participate in one of my favorite activities in Strasbourg: feeding the swans in the canal! First stop was the bakery pictured at the left, which is just across the road from the canal. A few years ago this was my absolute favorite because of the sweetest old ladies that used to work there, and who used to give me as much

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1168177933759640482007-01-07T14:51:00.000+01:002007-04-05T23:24:33.717+02:00

So. I made it! And here are some belated photos of the remaining Christmas lights.Here you can see the cathedral just behind.And I love this shockingly bright and blue tree in the middle of Place Gutenberg. In the background you can see a crepe stand, where I bought my first nutella crepe in 2007! Surely as important a milestone as any.I love Strasbourg, but maybe not so much in winter given the

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1167920117414081032007-01-04T14:28:00.000+01:002007-04-05T23:25:15.264+02:00

Le Petit Chateau d'Eau is my favorite bar in all of Paris. There is the sweet owner, Jean-Robert, who will tutoie you as soon as you walk through the door, but it is Frieda who truly runs the place. Frieda is Jean-Robert's dog, and she presides over the bar to annoyance of some of the bartenders and a few of the patrons. She lounges in the doorway, forcing you to walk over her and only budging to

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1167903623793390392007-01-04T10:31:00.000+01:002007-01-05T22:09:53.850+01:00

So. Happy Holidays, people.I had meant to update throughout the holidays, but real life got in the way of blogging. Imagine that. I'm still not sure if I'll post the photos from my trip home or my most recent travels. And then finally, after new years we had the pleasure of doing the exit interview of the apartment- the état des lieux. Which, honestly, was not as bad as I thought. The agent was

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1166366004477553762006-12-17T15:27:00.000+01:002007-04-05T23:25:15.265+02:00

Note: Not quite spring cleaning, but end-of-the year draft-clearing. Instead of deleting all these half-assed outdated posts that have been sitting languishing at the bottom of the draft list, I'll just get them outta here and release them to teh internets. You've been warned. Just before leaving to go to Monsieur Lapin, a bib gourmand restaurant in the 14th, I second-guessed the wisdom of my

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1166018458159796512006-12-13T14:22:00.000+01:002006-12-14T20:47:31.083+01:00

I love paper products, to the point of obsession. I have more stationary and cards than I will probably use in this lifetime, but I can never resist when I see good quality and interesting letter paper or cards, especially when on sale. I'm even worse with journals: I don't want to count how many new, empty journals are sitting in my closet, or worse, how many I have started but never finished.

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1165764013732587772006-12-10T16:14:00.000+01:002006-12-10T16:36:13.970+01:00

Bouchée à la reine, sometimes called vol-au-vent*, was my first introduction to French food. This was a menu staple at an eccentric bistrot in my hometown, and the first time I ordered it I knew it was something special. A delicate puff pastry bowl filled with a creamy sauce and chunks of chicken and mushroom, a perfect balance of beauty and substance: it was love at first sight.This made me all

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1165762100635323822006-12-10T15:47:00.000+01:002006-12-12T14:30:10.086+01:00

Hey. Talk to me: should I switch to beta? Hold off as long as I can? Move to Wordpress? I have heard so many bad things about beta, I don't want to lose stuff and fubaru links and comments and shizz in the move. Just googling "blogger beta sucks" makes me scared. Is Wordpress better than blogger? blogger beta? Thank you is all.tags: the internets

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1165601147428697102006-12-08T18:57:00.000+01:002006-12-08T19:05:47.446+01:00

I've been meaning to put this up for ages now, but let me give you just a quick rundown on repeat visits to Le Cambodge, Chez Stella, and Zen Zoo. Check the original posts for more details on prices and contact information.Le Cambodge(Read about my first visit here.)Remember my complaints last time? And my strategizing about how to properly approach a dining experience here? To minimize

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1165361753385944712006-12-06T00:14:00.000+01:002006-12-06T13:40:47.036+01:00

Tonight my boyfriend said the craziest stuff. I wanted to be like "who are you and what have you done with my boyfriend?!"We were talking about Becks and if he would really leave Real (in English):Me: So where will Becks go? Back to the UK? I really can't see him going to the US - not yet at least.R: Well, he's just a warm-bencherM: Bench-warmer.R: Yes, bench-warmer, at Real. And he's so

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1164989341324101302006-12-01T17:06:00.000+01:002007-04-05T23:25:15.265+02:00

Au Bourgogne is one of the few restaurants on my blacklist. First mentioned way back when on my list of cheap restaurants, I discovered this place in the guide Paris Pas Cher. It's included there for good reason: they've got set menus from 11€ - 16 17.50€. Despite this, and much to the chagrin of my boyfriend since it is one of his favorite restaurants here, I refuse to return. Anytime he's going

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1163948366939327092006-11-19T15:59:00.000+01:002006-11-20T03:23:29.090+01:00

I've got some interesting neighbors in the building next door. My bedroom looks directly into their dining/living room, which makes it impossible to avoid either overhearing conversation if the windows are open or seeing things you're not supposed to see if someone forgets to close the curtains. This is true in both directions, which is why I'm also ultra-vigilant about my own windows.For the

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1163627478594553002006-11-15T22:40:00.000+01:002006-11-15T22:51:18.610+01:00

I was browsing Rick Steves' travel tips and I came across this gem:Cold milk is rare in most [European] countries. Avoid the "longlife" kind of milk, sold off the shelf, that needs no refrigeration. This milk will never go bad or taste good.I can't stand that irradiated milk and I always pay more for my paltry liter of fresh milk. French people are amazed to learn that back home, we buy our fresh

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1163257348390841302006-11-11T15:54:00.000+01:002006-11-11T16:09:33.623+01:00

In America, when you think frozen food, you think TV dinners. Lean Cuisine, Sara Lee cakes, Eggo waffles: not exactly culinary masterpieces. As always, the French are way ahead of us, with a frozen food chain that offers products that are more than just edible. While Picard does offer the basics you'd expect - frozen veggies and the like - they also have an inédits line, which is quite gourmet.

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1163004967490860942006-11-08T17:52:00.000+01:002007-04-05T23:26:14.233+02:00

Please check out Maira Kalman's blog on the NY Times for some beautiful illustrations of Paris.UPDATE: The Julie Saul Gallery in NYC represents Maira Kalman. In October 2007 there will be a show of her NYTimes drawings. tags: surf's up

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1162649187588822282006-11-04T15:05:00.001+01:002007-04-05T23:26:14.233+02:00

Lodged between République and Strasbourg-Saint-Denis, the Fils du Soleil provides a little slice of South America in the middle of Paris.The main event of our meal here was the love affair between my small dog and the owners' black lab, Nero. The wife was so enamored of the pair that she even offered to take them both for a walk and then up to their apartment, in the same building, to dogsit

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1162515740845427282006-11-03T01:41:00.000+01:002006-11-03T05:39:12.556+01:00

Tonight I saw an OSS 117 SmartCar! Alas, no photo to show for it. I can only hope that it will stay in my hood. I will try to hunt it down and post it later. OSS 117, a James Bond spoof, is a Jean Dujardin film that came out this spring. One of my favorite scenes is where OSS 117 is supposed to be undercover but ends up giving a rousing performance of the song "Bambino":***EDIT*** YouTube is

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1162042376033235012006-10-28T15:27:00.000+02:002006-11-25T18:27:50.943+01:00

So here I am, back in the land of Brie, Camembert, Comté, Emmental, Chèvre...and yet what am I craving?You can take a girl out of the US...tags: grub

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1161882700835476102006-10-26T19:10:00.000+02:002007-04-05T23:26:14.233+02:00

A while back I listed my favorite crêpe stands, and a comment inquired about my favorite crêperies. Nutella crêpes are the solution to any bad day, but the full crêperie experience is also a treat. Almost always, crêperies will provide a relatively cheap and quick meal, but this doesn't mean you will walk out any less stuffed or satisfied. Again, I haven't been to them all, and even the ones that

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1161347768428593692006-10-20T14:34:00.000+02:002007-01-16T08:29:30.736+01:00

Carambars satisfy my sweet tooth like nothing else. Similar to a Sugar Daddy, these have the same teeth-pulling stickiness with the added bonuses of cheesy jokes printed on the wrappers and a point-collecting system to get your very own Carambar paraphernalia. For the record, I have obtained the Carambar T-shirt, though I would never admit it to my dentist! Today I had this joke:Qu'est-il écrit

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1160763989241828412006-10-13T20:19:00.000+02:002007-04-05T23:26:14.234+02:00

a) my apartmentb) my boyfriend's grandfather's bachelor pad c) a dive in the 14thWe had reservations at Monsieur Lapin, just next door, but with time to kill, and the only other bar on the corner closed, we decided to try Artists'Pub. It feels more like an abandoned attic than a bar, and in the US would be a lawsuit waiting to happen - underneath the chair across from us was an open rusting

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1159628868682179632006-09-30T17:00:00.000+02:002007-04-05T23:26:14.234+02:00

I'd just like to alert you to two articles on it in the NYTimes, and a fabulous slideshow of night shots (including the one posted here):Where Parisians Go Out After the Sun Goes DownParis la NuitParis Under the Stars (slideshow)tags: sights, surf's up

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1159153865673976272006-09-25T04:47:00.000+02:002006-09-25T05:11:06.146+02:00

Someone needs to do this for Paris. It is the Gawker NYC subway smell map, with choices (and icons) pictured on the right. The one biggie that is missing here that is definitely present in the metro is smoke! So many people smoke while waiting on the platform (even though there are no smoking signs posted), and I've even seen people smoking on the train itself. The smelliest metro station by far

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1158976811028321642006-09-23T03:35:00.000+02:002006-09-23T04:00:11.136+02:00

I'm used to the French-US tensions. But I usually don't get any crap for living in France when I'm back home, just like I don't get any crap for being an American when I'm in France (the extent of it usually involves eyerolling at Bush). Which made me even more taken aback after the following encounter. I was at a lunch with some acquaintances, and I had been chatting with one kid's girlfriend. I

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1158422873228961282006-09-16T18:07:00.000+02:002006-09-16T18:07:53.243+02:00

I know I've been living in Paris too long when I'm OCD about the way I place my items on the conveyor belt even at Publix*. In Paris, where I shop, you have to bag your own stuff. To make it easier on myself I categorize the stuff as I place it on the belt - veggies, cold stuff, bottles/cans/jars, etc. I have no need to do this at Publix, where the fabulous bagboys double bag as policy;

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1157210409974665162006-09-02T16:36:00.000+02:002007-04-05T23:22:38.017+02:00

For my last dinner before my trip to the States, R and I decided to try out a Bib Gourmand restaurant in the 2nd, Mellifère, drawn in by the reviews which raved about the classic dishes, prepared with the freshest ingredients and faithful to tradition. In short, we were very disappointed. For a 32€ fixed menu, we expected more, we expected better, and certainly not just "Red or White?" when we

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1156702902757710822006-08-27T20:18:00.000+02:002006-08-27T20:21:42.790+02:00

I've got an upcoming trip home, and I've been running around stocking up on all sorts of French products for the family. The Grandparents can't get enough of Bonne Maman jam (though now the jelly IS available back home, it just doesn't compare to the real French stuff); the Aunt loves Gavottes; the Uncle loves dijon mustard in all its forms, including the mustard flavored cheetos by Belin; Petit

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1156600791729554312006-08-26T15:37:00.000+02:002006-08-26T15:59:54.176+02:00

A sweet, naive friend of mine just moved from the US to Europe. It is the first time she has been out of her region, really, much less a whole new continent and country and language, but she's doing quite well adjusting so far. We were recently discussing the baggage restrictions (how I long for the heyday of three 70-pound bags. Sigh.) when I learned that she has fedexed an additional 3

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1156077026917300562006-08-20T14:29:00.000+02:002007-04-05T23:26:14.235+02:00

Around the corner from Antoine and Lili, you'll find the 25ème Image, a bright bar and restaurant that is also a gallery, with photos lining the walls and sculptures hanging from the ceilings. The one pictured at the right was directly over our heads at the table, tilting and rotating ever so slightly throughout the meal. We were seated in the back room, where the ceiling is a sunlight, under a

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1155589033351452572006-08-14T22:24:00.000+02:002006-08-14T22:57:13.536+02:00

I was cleaning out my bathroom this morning, throwing out old lotions and medicine and soap, and I came across this set of Dior makeup. I bought it back in the summer of 2002, before I spoke French, before I ever took my first French lesson, and it has taken me this long to "get" the name. The set is called Summer Hits in English, and in French, Les Tubes de l'été. Tubes - get it? Summer Hits,

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1155406882641119702006-08-12T20:20:00.000+02:002006-08-12T20:21:22.656+02:00

Back home, the beach vehicles are mostly sporty fun things -- convertibles, dune buggies, jeeps -- but here in France utility seems to be key. Thus I present the Citroën Méhari, at a beach near you this summer!I don't know what I like best: the buckles on the hood, the particle board rear gate, the raw interior, or the lackluster paintjob. There *are* some more fetching Méharis around, like the

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1154958960674858402006-08-07T15:43:00.000+02:002006-08-07T15:56:06.166+02:00

I found the international trailer for Brice de Nice on DailyMotion:"Brice de Nice" BA InternationaleUploaded by naykoA few questions. "The Brice Man"?! And why is "Ca farte" translated as "How's tricks" - that doesn't even make any sense. I don't know how I would say it in English but I'm sure there is a better translation than that. Finally, when was Brice de Nice released internationally? Did

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1154694949495825772006-08-04T14:21:00.000+02:002007-04-05T23:26:14.235+02:00

As you may know from reading this blog, I have been making my way through the Bib Gourmand restaurants in the Red Michelin Guide. The Michelin guide is one of the most reliable guides I have come across, and I have only been disappointed a few times when going by the trusty Michelin man. Looking for somewhere to go on a Saturday (you'd be surprised at how many of these restaurants are closed all

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1154535210955127752006-08-02T18:12:00.000+02:002006-08-03T15:38:26.876+02:00

I changed to Haloscan commenting...didn't know that all my old comments would get deleted in the process...oops! EDIT: OK, now my changes have disappeared, yet I didn't touch a thing...all old comments are back...strange, I think I'll just leave it as is for now.tags: surf's up

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1154375507585080182006-07-31T21:51:00.000+02:002007-04-05T23:26:14.235+02:00

I've been trying to visit every park in Paris, so I decided to share some photos of Buttes Chaumont, in the 19th, with you. This park is huge, very hilly, and has tons of open green space. On the Sunday afternoon that I went it was full of people having a picnic in the shade (with the obligatory bottle of chilled rosé), sizzling in the open sun, or playing light sports for very short intervals of

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1153920529591950372006-07-26T15:26:00.000+02:002007-04-05T23:26:14.236+02:00

I've passed by this café many times and never glanced at the menu. It just looks like your dime-a-dozen Paris cafés, great for a quick expresso or a happy hour drink with friends, but not necessarily known for the kitchen's skills. One day I was walking by and noticed the enormous salads dwarfing the tables, and made a mental note to myself to return. Last week I finally did, and boy am I glad. I

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1153532165204703572006-07-22T03:31:00.000+02:002006-07-22T03:36:05.216+02:00

I'm a reference on Wikipedia! For my awkward English translation of the "Coup de Boule" lyrics! tags: surf's up

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1153345891849252152006-07-19T23:49:00.000+02:002007-04-05T23:26:14.236+02:00

-Punch cocktail at Happy hour at Les Etages: 4€ -Falafel & Orangina at L'As du Fallafel (to go): 5€-Picnic on the Seine, at sunset: Just another lovely Paris summer evening...Les Etages35, rue Vieille du Temple75004 Paris01 42 78 72 00M: Saint-Paul7/7, 3h30 pm - 2 amL'As du Fallafel34, rue des Rosiers75004 Paris01 48 87 63 60M: Saint-PaulClosed Saturdaystags: grub, sights

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1152807002452954342006-07-13T17:33:00.000+02:002007-01-30T11:14:16.576+01:00

So, the lyrics for the "Coup de Boule" Zidane song, by La Plage Recordspowered by ODEOCoup de BouleAttention c'est la danse du Coup de Boule!(Coup de boule, coup de boule)Coup de boule à droite(Coup de boule, coup de boule)Coup de boule à gauche(Coup de boule, coup de boule)Allez les bleus!Allez,Zidane il a frappé, Zidane il a tapé (Coup de boule!)* 4xLe rital, il a eu malZidane il a

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com73tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1152791726692062252006-07-13T13:29:00.000+02:002006-10-27T23:33:07.080+02:00

I've been meaning to get these up forever, be patient...Le Fils du SoleilLa 25ème Image here it isRue Princesse - A Creperie, an English Pub, a Soup Bar, and a ClubLe Bistrot des OiesLe Petit ChavignolLe Petit MarcelJean-Pierre Frelet check it out hereMy return Au Cambodge, Zen Zoo, & Chez StellaIn the meantime I'll give a quick rundown of the crêpe stands (not creperies/restaurants) around

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1152731110500771642006-07-12T20:49:00.000+02:002006-07-12T22:17:18.636+02:00

And the newest installment in the Zidane saga is the song immortalizing the headbutt and Trezeguet's missed penalty:powered by ODEO"Coup de Boule" by La Plage, 2:43.I was glued to the screen during his interviews on TF1 and Canal+. I thought the TF1 was better (more detailed, more personal, less rehearsed?). He didn't say the exact words that Materazzi used, just confirming that the insult

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1152613831202089022006-07-11T12:16:00.000+02:002006-07-12T21:07:52.426+02:00

I know I haven't written much. It's summer, it's hot, I'm lazy, I'm sad/depressed about the final. But I've got to share this with you. This morning I was looking at the France team gear available. I think I'm going to get this shirt, and I'm waffling over jerseys. Since Arsenal has a new sponser, the old O2 jerseys are on sale, and I do like the classic maroon ones. But I was most surprised to

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1152311266959482962006-07-07T23:18:00.000+02:002006-07-08T00:28:14.360+02:00

So, I've caught World Cup fever like everyone else in France...it is AMAZING. I breathed a sigh of relief, along with the rest of France, when they made it past the first round by the skin of their teeth. I was nervous for the Spain match, and they blew me away. By the time Brazil came around, I would've been happy for them to have made it just that far...and yet once again they rocked. And then

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1151513012752296412006-06-28T17:46:00.000+02:002007-01-18T12:11:16.760+01:00

This week I went to Fontainebleau, another chateau about 45 minutes outside of Paris. It is over the top. The coffered, vaulted ceilings, the crystal chandeliers, the inlaid wooden floors, each room more ornate than the next: it is easy to imagine an extravagant life here. The Chateau has existed since at least the 12th century, but it wasn't until the 16th century that François I began the first

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1151331696576327042006-06-26T16:17:00.000+02:002007-04-05T23:26:14.237+02:00

Le Cambodge is the first good, cheap Asian restaurant I've been to in Paris. I know you're thinking "Oh, what about Chinatown?" Well, apart from the soup places, I haven't been crazy about any of the other restaurants - I always feel like I'm paying too much for what I get. I'm not a big fan of sushi, either, so all the Japanese establishments near Opéra on Rue Saint-Anne don't really do the

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1151052081352818912006-06-23T10:28:00.000+02:002007-04-05T23:26:14.237+02:00

Driving in Paris is rough. Even pickle jars can get caught in rush hour traffic jams!The Maillemobile was probably circling around and around the Place de la Madeleine all afternoon to advertise for the official Maille store nearby. I don't know if you can tell from the photos, but this vehicle (I can't really call it a pick-up, compared to the Fords and Rams back home ;) ) is tiny even by French

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1150919363735785072006-06-21T21:12:00.000+02:002007-04-05T23:26:14.238+02:00

Unlike most US cities, where you'll find only one main train station (if any, and often on the outskirts), Paris has multiple train stations, each serving a different section of France. The trains from Strasbourg, and the rest of Alsace-Lorraine, arrive in the Gare de l'Est, which is why you'll notice so many restaurants and traiteurs specializing in Alsacian cuisine all around the train station.

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1150722381647703002006-06-19T14:54:00.000+02:002006-06-19T15:06:21.660+02:00

The headquarters of Suez, a sponser of the French national team, recently got a facelift. The glassy front of this modern office building in the 8th is now covered with the players, my favorite being (obviously!) Thierry Henry:He's gorgeous, even as a decal on a window. swoon.tags: French characters, sights

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1150568474638958622006-06-17T19:27:00.000+02:002006-06-17T20:35:00.296+02:00

I recently read an article in Figaroscope about the rose garden at Val-du-Marne, and the photos looked so beautiful I had to visit it myself. Founded in 1894 by Jules Gravereaux (who helped start up the Bon Marché), this roseraie was the first garden dedicated entirely to roses, and is organized into 13 different collections which feature 3,300 different species and 16,000 individual rose bushes.

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1150368916694326482006-06-15T12:35:00.000+02:002006-06-15T12:55:16.710+02:00

In Paris, it seems like there is always construction going on. Even on my small block it is non-stop: as soon as one building has been repainted, another one is draped in tarp, prepared for pressure washing. When there are restorations on the inside, however, it becomes a bit more complicated, as the green aluminum siding just wouldn't do. At Les Halles, an indoor mall in the middle of Paris,

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1150271312123697832006-06-14T09:07:00.000+02:002006-06-14T09:48:32.336+02:00

to see gray, cloudy skies. It was just too. damn. hot. And this is coming from a Southerner, who knows her sweltering summers and 80% humidity levels. While Paris has a lower humidity than where I come from, making the heat a *bit* less intense, it makes up for it tenfold with the lack of air conditioning. At home, at work, in the metro...everything becomes more disgusting with the heat. I lose

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1150037695398089952006-06-11T15:50:00.000+02:002006-06-11T17:10:21.913+02:00

There are quite a few good daytrips to be made from Paris. While everyone does Versailles, and many do Chartres, don't forget about Fontainebleau, Vaux-le-Vicomte, Giverny, or the Château de Chantilly. I've been wanting to go to Chantilly for a few months now, but everyone kept telling me to wait until the weather got warmer, to truly be able to appreciate the gardens. While you might first think

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1149870274119711542006-06-09T17:10:00.000+02:002007-04-05T23:22:38.019+02:00

A block or so away from the Gare de Lyon you will find A la Biche au Bois, blending in with the surrounding cafés and brasseries. If I had been left to my own devices I certainly would not have picked this restaurant out of all the ones that line the block; the brown vinyl benches, wood paneling, and mounted antlers were not exactly beckoning to me. But I am faithful to my red guide and the "bib

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18461682.post-1149694212455266012006-06-07T16:50:00.000+02:002007-04-05T23:26:14.240+02:00

I've already mentioned La Grande Epicerie in this post, and this week I was in the neighborhood so I decided to drop by. La Grande Epicerie is more than just a grocery store: it is an experience. You will be amazed by the smells, the sights, the selection, and of course, the prices. I could easily lose myself in there for the afternoon. This time, in addition to the usual samples and delicacies,

Etiennehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15819263637351824653noreply@blogger.com2