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Post by gracejoan on Apr 26, 2008 4:35:01 GMT -5
Yesterday was Spring day with Madelyn Willems, owner of Paris Perfect apartments.
I had the reservation and had earlier asked Catherine Constant if she could get away and join me. They were heading for the US and I would not even see them this trip. Madelyn did the super upgrade apt. for me and I asked her to be my guest, if in Paris..her home is London but she or her husband Philippe are here one day a week. She was able to join me..so all I had to do then, was to hope that Daniel Rose could have a seat for her...reservations not easy..lunch only on Friday. I was able to reach him, personally, and she would have a seat!!
It turned out that who was the guest for this luncheon was reversed..Madelyn had their private taxi service for us, she insisted on the lunch..so my Paris Perfect treatment this trip couldn't have turned out much better. I amy sitting here with the Eiffel Tower outside..it is out of 3 large windows! Can't get much better than this!!
Spring does not give you a menu, except for wine. We enjoyed everything, not sure what it all was..main was a red fish, dessert a fancy strawberry/wine thing. All was light and refreshing.
Madelyn and I have only communicated by email, so this was our first meeting. She is a young gal...mid 40's...but then everyone is young to me!! She is a real sharp, pretty gal. We were both on the same wave length and discussed the apt. rental business in great length. I had given her the free calls to USA suggestion previously..now they have it in their apts. We discussed many other things, too.
The owners of a favorite restaurant of mine at home need to make reservations for their family for next Spring..school Spring break...This apt. might be just the one for them..right here on the Champ de Mars for the kids..safe area for the kids and more "good" restaurants that the 4th, 5th, 6th combined! It feels like home!
Sorry, this restaurant review did get off to other things...
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Post by MaisonMetz on Apr 26, 2008 9:31:39 GMT -5
Gracejoan -
A dinner at Spring was our favorite meal during our month in Paris last fall. For those who haven't been or don't know about Spring - it's gotten tons of publicity, it's all about the food here, since there isn't much to the decor at this tiny, 16-seat restaurant in the 9th. There is one seating and one fixed price menu du marché in the evening with four courses for 39€. We thought it an incredible value for the quality. Daniel Rose, the American born chef from Chicago is one very talented guy, and once he had done his magic in the exhibition kitchen, he came out and spent time talking with his guests that night. It's no longer a one-man show as he now has Marie Aude Mery helping him.
The coordinates: 28, rue de la Tour d'Auvergne 75009 Paris. For reservations you need to try to call between 18h and 19h45
+33 (0)1 45 96 05 72.
Sure hope we'll be able to get a reservation when we return to Paris!
Jo
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Post by holger on Apr 26, 2008 9:38:10 GMT -5
 Spring sounds wonderful but given my wide array of food allergies, I am wary of places with no choice. I have heard that it is possible to convey these when making a reservation but I would hate to constrain the chef's choices just for me. Gracejoan, you have had some wonderful experiences that seem really special. How nice to know the Constants so well and to have established such a good relationship with the owner of Paris Perfect. What a great upgrade and lunch excursion. Thank you for sharing with all of us.
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Post by gracejoan on Apr 26, 2008 10:15:58 GMT -5
Daniel came and visited with us for some time after. Lots of discussion with Madelyn re his background. He does look like a kid. He does not need to be doing this for a living, so I understand. He does it for his enjoyment.
Reservations are now into July. I asked him how far off.
Calling between the hours mentioned on his website aare pretty impossible. I call him in the morning..Paris time..Daniel is always the one who answers and makes the reservation! Use the 1010 numbers for cheap, cheap calls from US.
I had lunch today at Les Cocottes and had one of their cocottes..really very good...and then a strawberry dessert.
Away from the restaurant bit, but went to Montmartre this morning.Glad I did not rent the place I was thinking of renting there for this fall for a month..too much up and down at any age as far as I am concerned...my change to Grenelle near rue de Bac suits me much better!!
Breakfast will be Cafe de l'Alma in the morning and a reservation at Fontaine de Mars tomorrow.
Some good tennis today and tomorrow...........
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Post by cigalechanta on Apr 26, 2008 12:29:09 GMT -5
You are playing tennis?
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Post by gracejoan on Apr 26, 2008 12:42:10 GMT -5
It did sound like I was playing tennis, didn't it!! No, I was watching it..Federer and Djokovich (sp).......
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Post by holger on Apr 26, 2008 13:09:05 GMT -5
Do you generally rent through Paris Perfect? We have our apartment for next March but in 2010 will be there in the summer and husband insists on air conditioning which raises costs and limits some apartments that I like.
We enjoyed Montmartre in 1957 when we were both young and climbing up and down was a great deal easier than now. Did not get back there in either 2006 or 2007. Since we will be in the 9th in 2009, we may get into Montmartre.
;D
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Post by gracejoan on Apr 26, 2008 13:54:29 GMT -5
Holger, I have rented from Paris Perfect a number of times. They are just such nice people. Their places are quality in every way. You do pay a price for it. I think there is going to be some help in that way for those of us who are regulars and some for longer times. I am renting from www.parisvacationapartments.com in Sept/Oct. I am also going to be previewing the one that I have rented, They have laptops, fluffy robes, weekly service, concierge service and nice places...Palais Royale area, Montmartre etc. I also have just finished one from www.parisianflat.com and my really cute one for next April/May is from homerentalconnections.com, the cute Garden Mariotte that Pat/Jim (laidbacks) and I previewed the other day. We all liked it very much. It would suit them fine!! It does have a queen bed..pic is before it was changed. I spend a lot of time looking..I am fussy..it is also fun to look! The hard one was Brittany..they were all what I would call pretty basic...I spent days and days...I have two really nice places..I think the only ones in Brittany. 2 locations are needed. Brittany is large! |
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Post by MaisonMetz on Apr 26, 2008 17:00:36 GMT -5
Gracejoan -
We rented one of the Palais Royal properties from Paris Guest Apartments with friends two years ago and had an excellent experience. Alex and Isis were great to deal with, and it was a treat to look out onto the peaceful and usually quiet Palais Royal gardens.
I was happy to see that they added a Left Bank rental. The rue de Grenelle studio location near rue du Bac is ideal. We've rented three different apartments at different times on the rue du Bac between rue de Grenelle and the bd Saint Germain and really enjoy the neighborhood. Hope you like it there next Sept/Oct.
Jo
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Post by MaisonMetz on Apr 26, 2008 17:08:15 GMT -5
Holger,
Sorry to hear that you have to contend with food allergies. That can be difficult I know. A good friend with whom we travel on occasion also has a number of food allergies. She finds allergies easier to deal with in France than in many places in the US because dishes in French restaurants are often prepared at the last moment. Hope it's not been too much of a problem for you.
Jo
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Post by holger on Apr 26, 2008 21:27:57 GMT -5
;D
The French have been wonderful. I have a list in French of the foods I cannot eat and have not had any problems but rather great kindness.
But it would simply be harder in a restaurant with no choices and unfair to impose on other guests.
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Post by gracejoan on Apr 27, 2008 0:09:06 GMT -5
MaisonMetz, Alex and Isis have been grea to work with. Meeting them at noon on Tuesday to preview my little spot. Their site is the www.parisvacationapartments.com They have Palais Royal, Montmartre, and Grenelle locations. I think the Grenelle was their last addition. The Palais Royal apartments are lovely. They provide all concierge services, weekly cleaning, changing linens, laptops, fluffly robes are all inclusive. No extras. Some renters tend to forget to ask about these things! I had tought I would take their cute place in Montmartre,. Jim and Pat were here last fall when I was making arrangements for this fall, They checked out the location and it was much hillier than they would have wanted. That is when I made the change to Grenelle...which is an area that I am fon of anyway. Anxious to take a look! |
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Post by annettecinca on Apr 27, 2008 0:36:02 GMT -5
We wanted to rent one of the Palais Royal apartments for our trip in October, but it was already taken. They do look like great apartments, and I'm keeping them on my radar!
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Post by gracejoan on Apr 27, 2008 4:08:19 GMT -5
Annette,
Yes, places do rent far in advance. I am getting with friends who own a favorite restaurant of mine at home. They have 2 children and were only waiting for exact Spring break dates.
Will probably do a Paris Perfect for them..maybe the one where I am now..great location for their kids, too. Will get with Madelyn for additional suggestions.
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prs
New Member
Posts: 15
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Post by prs on Apr 27, 2008 9:46:31 GMT -5
Grace Joan- My partner and I will be staying in PVA's Rue de Grenelle studio beginning May 14 for 4 nights. I would very much appreciate your candid opinions once you have had your sneak peak! PVA has always been so wonderful to deal with. We were supposed to be staying in the 2BR Palais Royale, but the other members of our party had to unexpectedly drop out, which left my partner and I with ALOT of space for 2 people. Although Alex did not have to release us from our obligation to the Palais Royale, he kindly allowed us to "move" to the studio on Rue de Grenelle and let us transfer the initial payment we had made on the Palais Royale to the studio. Very nice gesture. Plus, I just love that ALL of their apartments have given such wonderful care to high quality mattresses and wonderful bathrooms! We had been looking forward to the Palais Royale view for so long  , but I am anxious to hear what you think of the little gem on Rue de Grenelle. Plus, the fact that is right above Ina Garten's favorite fromagerie is kind of cool! Thanks. Paul |
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Post by gracejoan on Apr 27, 2008 9:59:40 GMT -5
prs...I will certainly let you know after my Tues. preview.
I have it rented for a month mid Sept-mid Oct.
I had a similar experience with them. I had rented the studio in Montmartre. Pat and Jim (laidbacks) were here at the time and took a look at the location..they would not have wanted the hills...so, I too decided it was not for me either..I contacted Alex and made the move to Grenelle...more "my" area, anyway.
I was glad I made the move after going up to Montmartre yesterday...
I will let you know............
Joan
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Post by gracejoan on May 1, 2008 19:43:30 GMT -5
I have changed where I will be staying in Sept/Oct.
Paris Perfect has a brand new one that they are finishing now. It is up high and has incredible views of all of Paris!! Pics won't be ready for about a month. Knowing how Madelyn does things and decorates..it will be very well done. I have rented it. I may be the first one!!
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Post by trechic on May 2, 2008 6:53:26 GMT -5
Gracejoan, Were you able to preview the PVA Grennelle apt? Your feedback would be very much appreciated, as I may just grab some of the space that has opened up the beginning of Oct!!
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Post by holger on May 2, 2008 7:53:44 GMT -5
;D
GraceJoan,
I gather that you have switched from PVA for Sept/Oct to Paris Perfect. What fun to be the first one in a new apartment. Will look forward to description.
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Post by gracejoan on May 2, 2008 12:01:06 GMT -5
Yes, I am real excited about it. Madelyn has sent me the pics of the views from its 7th floor location..all of Paris in front of you..perfect Invalides location. I know Madelyn's decorating and furnishing will be lovely and I will be more than happy there.
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, but I am anxious to hear what you think of the little gem on Rue de Grenelle. Plus, the fact that is right above Ina Garten's favorite fromagerie is kind of cool! Thanks.
hahahha