Post by geordy on Mar 1, 2011 18:29:42 GMT -5
Well not here now..but the weekend before last ...in Paris!!
Cold and rainy..but we have an errand to do..isn't that what one does on weekends?...so we stop at Lou Lou cafe for cafe creme and pain au chocolat(regular croissants were "finished"...and head via Bon Marche and window shopping to Jules Verne to check on my friend/cousins res for April(her asst. had messed it up last year and this time there was some sort of issue with the credit card so I just loved saying"Oh, I'll be in Paris next week so I'll check that out for you!" . All is well, so avoiding the mud around the tower we try for lunch at a place on the list for awhile Chez L' Ami Jean on Rue Malar.
No res but hostess frowns, looks at her old fashioned big res book, wrinkles brow (she was still pretty )scans the restaurant (small) checks the clock, and takes us to a table along the banquette on the side!
Wonderful meal, service, atmosphere...fabulous place to be on a raw Sat afternoon. I started with a "fake" veg risotto with half a roasted squid on top in a cream sauce with tasty, crispy prosciutto on top! "fake" because there is no rice..the risotto is actually finely diced veggies a very clever idea that works! But I think the servers would prefer if they changed the name ...heard them over and over explaining it wasn't really risotto, no rice, etc.!
Next roasted scallops on the shell with scrumptious mashed potatoes and another lovely puree/sauce. Then rice pudding..they bring a big bowl of it, more bowls of nuts, raisins, granola,choc bits, to add as you like and a wooden box of meringues(diff colors!) Outstanding..my Mother made a killer rice pudding but this was light, fluffy but also incredibly rich. White wine , don't recall what, and cafe of course. A table of 5 young men taking their wine outside to smoke in the rain! Bid a hearty Au Revoir by the Chef who had adjourned to the bar after the lunch service!
More window shopping and picking up a few things on way back to hotel to primp for Ballet.
Took the Metro..easy line from hotel..and had that moment..pop out of staircase, turn around, and there is the Palais Garnier all lit up against the dark night sky..nothing like it!
Good box seats 2nd Mes a bit on the side but great sight lines. Caligula....not quite the orgy I had expected...quite good, great dancing( , the music is Vivaldi's Four Seasons so how can you go wrong! 90 mins., no break so had to have that coupe du champagne before...heavenly!!! Tears in my eyes sipping Champ, taking in the glorious foyer, all the people, S/O...this is why you go through all the hard stuff ...for moments like this!!
Back to left bank and Bar a Huitres. No res again but lovely corner window table. Still raining but now it is romantic as we are inside looking out! More Champagne and "Big" oysters from Normandy and Brittany. S/O and I debating over whether we should also order fish soup..I said I would probably be fine with just the oysters, waiter said order one soup..the tureen is brought to the table and left, much more than one serving and absolutely divine...just the perfect late meal! Cafe and cognac watching the rain and Paris.....to be continued....
Cold and rainy..but we have an errand to do..isn't that what one does on weekends?...so we stop at Lou Lou cafe for cafe creme and pain au chocolat(regular croissants were "finished"...and head via Bon Marche and window shopping to Jules Verne to check on my friend/cousins res for April(her asst. had messed it up last year and this time there was some sort of issue with the credit card so I just loved saying"Oh, I'll be in Paris next week so I'll check that out for you!" . All is well, so avoiding the mud around the tower we try for lunch at a place on the list for awhile Chez L' Ami Jean on Rue Malar.
No res but hostess frowns, looks at her old fashioned big res book, wrinkles brow (she was still pretty )scans the restaurant (small) checks the clock, and takes us to a table along the banquette on the side!
Wonderful meal, service, atmosphere...fabulous place to be on a raw Sat afternoon. I started with a "fake" veg risotto with half a roasted squid on top in a cream sauce with tasty, crispy prosciutto on top! "fake" because there is no rice..the risotto is actually finely diced veggies a very clever idea that works! But I think the servers would prefer if they changed the name ...heard them over and over explaining it wasn't really risotto, no rice, etc.!
Next roasted scallops on the shell with scrumptious mashed potatoes and another lovely puree/sauce. Then rice pudding..they bring a big bowl of it, more bowls of nuts, raisins, granola,choc bits, to add as you like and a wooden box of meringues(diff colors!) Outstanding..my Mother made a killer rice pudding but this was light, fluffy but also incredibly rich. White wine , don't recall what, and cafe of course. A table of 5 young men taking their wine outside to smoke in the rain! Bid a hearty Au Revoir by the Chef who had adjourned to the bar after the lunch service!
More window shopping and picking up a few things on way back to hotel to primp for Ballet.
Took the Metro..easy line from hotel..and had that moment..pop out of staircase, turn around, and there is the Palais Garnier all lit up against the dark night sky..nothing like it!
Good box seats 2nd Mes a bit on the side but great sight lines. Caligula....not quite the orgy I had expected...quite good, great dancing( , the music is Vivaldi's Four Seasons so how can you go wrong! 90 mins., no break so had to have that coupe du champagne before...heavenly!!! Tears in my eyes sipping Champ, taking in the glorious foyer, all the people, S/O...this is why you go through all the hard stuff ...for moments like this!!
Back to left bank and Bar a Huitres. No res again but lovely corner window table. Still raining but now it is romantic as we are inside looking out! More Champagne and "Big" oysters from Normandy and Brittany. S/O and I debating over whether we should also order fish soup..I said I would probably be fine with just the oysters, waiter said order one soup..the tureen is brought to the table and left, much more than one serving and absolutely divine...just the perfect late meal! Cafe and cognac watching the rain and Paris.....to be continued....