Post by Sandy M on Dec 11, 2011 17:05:49 GMT -5
MONDAY NOVEMBER 28, 2011
Denise and I are having lunch today and I didn't have anything planned for this morning - I was going to try to get to Popelini to try their cream puffs but decided it would be better to sleep in a little. Finally got up and ready to go meet Denise stopping at my little corner Bistrot, Le Centrenaire, which was very close to my studio - the second morning I was there, Monsieur greeted me with a Bonjour - Cafe Creme Madame?? He did not speak English nor do I speak French but we communicated well and I looked forward to seeing his smiling face each morning and have one of those 2 Euro Cafe Cremes - I started standing or sitting at the bar a couple of years ago rather than sitting at tables, especially sidewalk tables where a Cafe Creme is usually 4.5 - 5.5 Euro! Quite a good savings!
Met Denise at Le Pearl which was on my list of restaurants to try - I had read an article somewhere about this fairly new restaurant - operated by a young man, Thomas and his wife Melanie and is located at 46 rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud 75011 which is close to Republique Metro and was handy for both Denise and I to get there from our studios. Thomas is the chef and my oh my is he a good one!! Denise had lamb and I had one of the specials of the day - boneless chicken leg stuffed with something ?? not sure what he said but there were pistachios in there, wrapped in bacon and fried! So delicious and was accompanied with some yummy potatoes. Quite a large serving and I was too full for dessert but Denise had one which had pears, whipped cream & cake? - she said that it was delicious! So, if you are in the area, please give Le Pearl a try - you won't be disappointed. Prices are incredibly low for the quality of food received. If you go early, you probably won't need a reservation but the room was almost full when we left so if in doubt, just call and make a reservation:
www.yelp.com/biz/le-pearl-paris After lunch, we went across the street to a bar/cafe and had a Cafe Creme at the bar and then it was time for us to go - Denise spied a bus stop and I wanted to take a bus over to the 5th and the next bus was heading that direction so we had a hurried Goodbye and I got on the bus.
I wanted to get to Un Dimanche a Paris as I hadn't been there yet this trip - got off the bus at the Odeon stop and walked down the little alley only to find that they were closed as it was Monday - I had forgotten that little bit of info. The stop wasn't wasted as I walked down to the corner to the Amorino shop and had a Delicious ice cream cone! Decided to walk down to St. Germain des Pres - went to the Laudree shop there on Bonaparte to have a macaron but the line was so long that I walked back to St. Germain Blvd - along the way, I discovered the newest store of Richart Chocolates at 27 rue Bonaparte so went in - small shop but oh the delicious chocolates they have - bought a small box to bring home to Tim - they are the petite chocolates and have designs on top that look like they are hand painted! Very pretty! The clerk gave me a sample and I forgot to ask for a sample of their Chocomac's which is the bottom half of a macaron topped with chocolate mousse? of some sort which is topped with a thin wafer of chocolate - they looked delicious so will try one next time - here's their web site
www.richart-chocolates.com/chocolates/french-macaron-ganache-chocolate-richart-creation-chocomac?from=french-macaron-ganache-chocolate-richart-creation-chocomac
Back to St. Germain Blvd as I wanted to go check out the Christmas decorations at Ralph Lauren store - and of course "sneak" some pictures which is forbidden - in the nicest way I might add - the last time I was there I got caught taking pictures and the clerk almost whispered to me "I'm sorry Madame but photographs are not allowed" To say the least, that store is just beautiful - if you go, be sure to take the elevator to the top as you must see each floor and each floor has several rooms, if you walk down each flight, you will see all kinds of paintings and pictures hanging on the walls - very classy operation and the way they merchandise the clothing is incredible - you don't feel like you are in a store but in someones private mansion. Of course, I did sneak some pictures and of course I did get caught!! They had about 3 times the number of personnel on duty as they did in May so I was being very careful and I don't know where this guy came from but all of a sudden there he was and cautioned me that pictures were not allowed. When I got back down to the main level, I did go out to the courtyard of Ralph's restaurant which is located right next to the store - wanted to stop and have a Cafe Creme as the courtyard looked so pretty - minimal decorations but very elegant - all the chair and sofa cushions were the signature Lauren colors and plaids - very pretty and festive. It was too late in the day for a Cafe so caught the bus and went across the river as I wanted to walk down the Champs Elysees to look at all the lights.
By now it was dark enough so that all the lights were on - they have changed the way they light the trees this year - pretty and supposedly consume less energy but I think I prefer the way they used to do it with each tree strung from top to bottom with lights - here's a short YouTube link
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkwHFnmdKpk&feature=related
I walked the Champs from the George V Metro all the way down to where the Christmas Markets start - walked a little bit of the stalls in the market and then I was getting cold and tired so got on the Metro and headed home - my day started out late but it got to be long and I was ready for a rest!
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2011
My last day in Paris - why does the time seem to go so fast and it's time to go back home so soon!!!!!!
Slept in again today as I didn't have anything planned until lunch at 11:30 with Suzanne and Jim! Got ready and stopped at my little corner Bistrot for a Cafe Creme - when I walked in I was greeted by two little doggies with their owner who was sitting at the bar having a Cafe - made my day to have such a greeting from those little cuties - Pedro and Stella!! Little Pedro just couldn't get enough scratches and attention. The lady is an American living in Paris and has been here for five years - had a short visit with her and then was on my way as I wanted to take the bus again.
We were to meet at Le Valentin for lunch as Suzanne and Jim like the place as much as I do - had a great lunch and a good visit - we originally met in 2006 at a TA GTG when we were in Paris during Thanksgiving week - Suzanne/Jim were the first forum people that I met and I was the first one they met so we have a special bond - they are very special to me and I'm glad we had a chance to spend some together time before I left!
From Le Valentin I walked over to the CyberCafe near the Opera as I wanted to get checked in on United for my flight the next day - that place was still so hot that I could hardly stand to be in there long enough to get on line and check in!!
My plans were to go to Coutume Cafe
www.yelp.com/biz/coutume-cafe-paris
for a Cafe Creme as I had read an article about how good this new coffee place is - however, it was too far to walk to and back from my destinations for the day so skipped it - next visit, the first thing I'm doing is going to Popelini and Coutume so I can see first hand what all the fuss is about in both places!!
Took the bus part way and then I did hop on the Metro as time was flying by - got off the Metro at Sevres Babylone as my first stop was going to see the new Hermes store at 17 rue de Sevres and is right around the corner from the entrance to Hotel Lutetia - in fact the new store used to be the swimming pool area for the Lutetia!!
global.designdb.com/disko/read.asp?boardseqnum=12692
This store is AMAZING!!! If you are in the area at all, I would encourage you to go take a look - it is unlike any other store I have seen in Paris!!! I did see a beautiful scarf that I really liked but I didn't buy it - don't know why as it was only 850 Euro!!! Maybe because I didn't have room in my suitcase??!!! LOL!! And by the way - Don't Take Pictures!!! It is private!!! That's what the young man told me when he saw me taking a picture!! So like a good girl, I put my camera away and then quickly got it back out once I got down the stairs!! One of these times, they will stand there and make me delete all those pictures I sneak - but until then, I'll probably keep taking them!! I know, I know - coal in my stocking this year!!!
Next stop was to the newest Hugo & Victor pastry/chocolate shop at 40 Blvd Raspail
parisbreakfasts.blogspot.com/2010/04/hugo-victor.html
Another incredible shop! Two main reasons I wanted to visit this shop - to see the shop and mostly to bring boxes of chocolates home to my "book loving" husband and step-daughter! The boxes are made to look like a book and make a wonderful keepsake once the delicious chocolates are gone!! So, if you do go to see the Herme store, you can just walk across and down the street and make a stop at Hugo & Victor!!
Next off to Un Dimanche a Paris - had to make this one as it would be my last chance to stop there this trip - I was tempted to stop and have a bite to eat in their restaurant as the menu looked pretty yummy, but I had been snacking since lunch and wasn't that hungry - besides, I had to save room for one of their delicious pastries and of course a macaron or two! When I got to the counter, a nice young man came over to help me and I said "Adam sent me" - the young man as well as the lady who was working, stopped what they were doing and said "Oh, do you know Adam"!! Told them that I don't know him personally but do follow his Blog and he had said to say that Adam sent me - had a nice visit with the clerks about Adam so if you do go to Un Dimanche be sure to say "Adam sent me"!!
Last stop was to visit an art shop on Isle St. Louis to visit my little doggie friend, Rocko! I first met him and his owner when I stopped in the store in 2006 - Rocko is a fiesty little Jack Russell and so cute - I didn't get to see him the last two visits and this time his owner told me that Rocko wasn't getting along too well and probably had some arthritis and was getting pretty grumpy - when he heard the door open, he came running but then quickly went back and got in his little kennel and growled and growled - from what she told me, these might be his last days so I was very glad that I took the time to go see him!
Left the Isle and walked over to St. Paul Metro and took the Metro back to the studio - wanted to get back early so I could pack and have enough time in the morning to go get one last Cafe Creme at the corner Bistrot!
So dear family and friends, another trip to Paris has come to an end for me - each time as soon as I am getting buckled up on the airplane, I start to dream and plan when my next visit will be!
Hope all is well with all of you and I do send good wishes to you for a very Merry Christmas and I wish all the best for you in 2012!
Denise and I are having lunch today and I didn't have anything planned for this morning - I was going to try to get to Popelini to try their cream puffs but decided it would be better to sleep in a little. Finally got up and ready to go meet Denise stopping at my little corner Bistrot, Le Centrenaire, which was very close to my studio - the second morning I was there, Monsieur greeted me with a Bonjour - Cafe Creme Madame?? He did not speak English nor do I speak French but we communicated well and I looked forward to seeing his smiling face each morning and have one of those 2 Euro Cafe Cremes - I started standing or sitting at the bar a couple of years ago rather than sitting at tables, especially sidewalk tables where a Cafe Creme is usually 4.5 - 5.5 Euro! Quite a good savings!
Met Denise at Le Pearl which was on my list of restaurants to try - I had read an article somewhere about this fairly new restaurant - operated by a young man, Thomas and his wife Melanie and is located at 46 rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud 75011 which is close to Republique Metro and was handy for both Denise and I to get there from our studios. Thomas is the chef and my oh my is he a good one!! Denise had lamb and I had one of the specials of the day - boneless chicken leg stuffed with something ?? not sure what he said but there were pistachios in there, wrapped in bacon and fried! So delicious and was accompanied with some yummy potatoes. Quite a large serving and I was too full for dessert but Denise had one which had pears, whipped cream & cake? - she said that it was delicious! So, if you are in the area, please give Le Pearl a try - you won't be disappointed. Prices are incredibly low for the quality of food received. If you go early, you probably won't need a reservation but the room was almost full when we left so if in doubt, just call and make a reservation:
www.yelp.com/biz/le-pearl-paris After lunch, we went across the street to a bar/cafe and had a Cafe Creme at the bar and then it was time for us to go - Denise spied a bus stop and I wanted to take a bus over to the 5th and the next bus was heading that direction so we had a hurried Goodbye and I got on the bus.
I wanted to get to Un Dimanche a Paris as I hadn't been there yet this trip - got off the bus at the Odeon stop and walked down the little alley only to find that they were closed as it was Monday - I had forgotten that little bit of info. The stop wasn't wasted as I walked down to the corner to the Amorino shop and had a Delicious ice cream cone! Decided to walk down to St. Germain des Pres - went to the Laudree shop there on Bonaparte to have a macaron but the line was so long that I walked back to St. Germain Blvd - along the way, I discovered the newest store of Richart Chocolates at 27 rue Bonaparte so went in - small shop but oh the delicious chocolates they have - bought a small box to bring home to Tim - they are the petite chocolates and have designs on top that look like they are hand painted! Very pretty! The clerk gave me a sample and I forgot to ask for a sample of their Chocomac's which is the bottom half of a macaron topped with chocolate mousse? of some sort which is topped with a thin wafer of chocolate - they looked delicious so will try one next time - here's their web site
www.richart-chocolates.com/chocolates/french-macaron-ganache-chocolate-richart-creation-chocomac?from=french-macaron-ganache-chocolate-richart-creation-chocomac
Back to St. Germain Blvd as I wanted to go check out the Christmas decorations at Ralph Lauren store - and of course "sneak" some pictures which is forbidden - in the nicest way I might add - the last time I was there I got caught taking pictures and the clerk almost whispered to me "I'm sorry Madame but photographs are not allowed" To say the least, that store is just beautiful - if you go, be sure to take the elevator to the top as you must see each floor and each floor has several rooms, if you walk down each flight, you will see all kinds of paintings and pictures hanging on the walls - very classy operation and the way they merchandise the clothing is incredible - you don't feel like you are in a store but in someones private mansion. Of course, I did sneak some pictures and of course I did get caught!! They had about 3 times the number of personnel on duty as they did in May so I was being very careful and I don't know where this guy came from but all of a sudden there he was and cautioned me that pictures were not allowed. When I got back down to the main level, I did go out to the courtyard of Ralph's restaurant which is located right next to the store - wanted to stop and have a Cafe Creme as the courtyard looked so pretty - minimal decorations but very elegant - all the chair and sofa cushions were the signature Lauren colors and plaids - very pretty and festive. It was too late in the day for a Cafe so caught the bus and went across the river as I wanted to walk down the Champs Elysees to look at all the lights.
By now it was dark enough so that all the lights were on - they have changed the way they light the trees this year - pretty and supposedly consume less energy but I think I prefer the way they used to do it with each tree strung from top to bottom with lights - here's a short YouTube link
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkwHFnmdKpk&feature=related
I walked the Champs from the George V Metro all the way down to where the Christmas Markets start - walked a little bit of the stalls in the market and then I was getting cold and tired so got on the Metro and headed home - my day started out late but it got to be long and I was ready for a rest!
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2011
My last day in Paris - why does the time seem to go so fast and it's time to go back home so soon!!!!!!
Slept in again today as I didn't have anything planned until lunch at 11:30 with Suzanne and Jim! Got ready and stopped at my little corner Bistrot for a Cafe Creme - when I walked in I was greeted by two little doggies with their owner who was sitting at the bar having a Cafe - made my day to have such a greeting from those little cuties - Pedro and Stella!! Little Pedro just couldn't get enough scratches and attention. The lady is an American living in Paris and has been here for five years - had a short visit with her and then was on my way as I wanted to take the bus again.
We were to meet at Le Valentin for lunch as Suzanne and Jim like the place as much as I do - had a great lunch and a good visit - we originally met in 2006 at a TA GTG when we were in Paris during Thanksgiving week - Suzanne/Jim were the first forum people that I met and I was the first one they met so we have a special bond - they are very special to me and I'm glad we had a chance to spend some together time before I left!
From Le Valentin I walked over to the CyberCafe near the Opera as I wanted to get checked in on United for my flight the next day - that place was still so hot that I could hardly stand to be in there long enough to get on line and check in!!
My plans were to go to Coutume Cafe
www.yelp.com/biz/coutume-cafe-paris
for a Cafe Creme as I had read an article about how good this new coffee place is - however, it was too far to walk to and back from my destinations for the day so skipped it - next visit, the first thing I'm doing is going to Popelini and Coutume so I can see first hand what all the fuss is about in both places!!
Took the bus part way and then I did hop on the Metro as time was flying by - got off the Metro at Sevres Babylone as my first stop was going to see the new Hermes store at 17 rue de Sevres and is right around the corner from the entrance to Hotel Lutetia - in fact the new store used to be the swimming pool area for the Lutetia!!
global.designdb.com/disko/read.asp?boardseqnum=12692
This store is AMAZING!!! If you are in the area at all, I would encourage you to go take a look - it is unlike any other store I have seen in Paris!!! I did see a beautiful scarf that I really liked but I didn't buy it - don't know why as it was only 850 Euro!!! Maybe because I didn't have room in my suitcase??!!! LOL!! And by the way - Don't Take Pictures!!! It is private!!! That's what the young man told me when he saw me taking a picture!! So like a good girl, I put my camera away and then quickly got it back out once I got down the stairs!! One of these times, they will stand there and make me delete all those pictures I sneak - but until then, I'll probably keep taking them!! I know, I know - coal in my stocking this year!!!
Next stop was to the newest Hugo & Victor pastry/chocolate shop at 40 Blvd Raspail
parisbreakfasts.blogspot.com/2010/04/hugo-victor.html
Another incredible shop! Two main reasons I wanted to visit this shop - to see the shop and mostly to bring boxes of chocolates home to my "book loving" husband and step-daughter! The boxes are made to look like a book and make a wonderful keepsake once the delicious chocolates are gone!! So, if you do go to see the Herme store, you can just walk across and down the street and make a stop at Hugo & Victor!!
Next off to Un Dimanche a Paris - had to make this one as it would be my last chance to stop there this trip - I was tempted to stop and have a bite to eat in their restaurant as the menu looked pretty yummy, but I had been snacking since lunch and wasn't that hungry - besides, I had to save room for one of their delicious pastries and of course a macaron or two! When I got to the counter, a nice young man came over to help me and I said "Adam sent me" - the young man as well as the lady who was working, stopped what they were doing and said "Oh, do you know Adam"!! Told them that I don't know him personally but do follow his Blog and he had said to say that Adam sent me - had a nice visit with the clerks about Adam so if you do go to Un Dimanche be sure to say "Adam sent me"!!
Last stop was to visit an art shop on Isle St. Louis to visit my little doggie friend, Rocko! I first met him and his owner when I stopped in the store in 2006 - Rocko is a fiesty little Jack Russell and so cute - I didn't get to see him the last two visits and this time his owner told me that Rocko wasn't getting along too well and probably had some arthritis and was getting pretty grumpy - when he heard the door open, he came running but then quickly went back and got in his little kennel and growled and growled - from what she told me, these might be his last days so I was very glad that I took the time to go see him!
Left the Isle and walked over to St. Paul Metro and took the Metro back to the studio - wanted to get back early so I could pack and have enough time in the morning to go get one last Cafe Creme at the corner Bistrot!
So dear family and friends, another trip to Paris has come to an end for me - each time as soon as I am getting buckled up on the airplane, I start to dream and plan when my next visit will be!
Hope all is well with all of you and I do send good wishes to you for a very Merry Christmas and I wish all the best for you in 2012!