Post by PariS on Jan 23, 2012 20:17:55 GMT -5
Darryl and I ventured into the Institute du Monde Arabe building earlier this month. We've frequently admired the building from the street, but decided to go inside one day and we were pleasantly surprised.
Cool architecture, of course, and you can view the big lenses up close and personal.
The interior is steel and glass as you would expect, with an open atrium that houses half a dozen glass elevators. I'd read that there was frequently an art exhibit on the 4th floor, but we didn't see any evidence of that. Maybe since they've added the modern exhibit "hall" in the courtyard they've repurposed the old space? (update: The museum was closed for 3 years for a 5 million euro renovation, and reopened in March 2012; it's open of Tuesday to Friday, 10:00-18:00, and 10:00-19:00 on Saturday and Sunday.
Tariffs: 4 to 8 euros).
We took the elevator to the 9th floor to the rooftop terrace and enjoyed the view
I've always wondered if the Eiffel Tower is visible from up there--yes, but slightly obscured
The terrace is open to the public until 6pm.
On the way back down, we stopped to read the menu at the restaurant on the top, Le Zyriab by Noura, which was the original purpose of my post, but I got sidetracked!
The restaurant is Lebanese, and as Darryl's step-dad is Armenian, he ate a lot of similar food growing up (dolma, pilaf, tabbouleh, etc.), so he wanted to go back to try it out. We called for a reservation that night and had a very nice meal. They have quite an extensive entree list, both hot and cold, and we shared (family style) a generous bowl of tabbouleh (parsley and wheat berry salad) and another salad, along with a big basket of Lebanese flat bread. The starters we ordered were both big enough to serve 2, so next time we will probably only order one to share, or maybe one salad and an order of hummus to spread on the bread. For mains, Darryl had shish kebab, and I had a very flavorful lemon chicken dish.
The service was perfect, the view was outstanding, and the atmosphere quite nice. The tables are spaced generously for Paris, and it was quiet. Would be a good spot for a romantic meal if you enjoy this type of food.
During the warm months, they have terrace seating available. The maître d suggested that reservations be made 10 days in advance in the summer for a terrace table. We will probably be returning as it's so close to "home"!
1 rue des Fossés St Bernard
75005 Paris
01 55 42 55 42
Cool architecture, of course, and you can view the big lenses up close and personal.
The interior is steel and glass as you would expect, with an open atrium that houses half a dozen glass elevators. I'd read that there was frequently an art exhibit on the 4th floor, but we didn't see any evidence of that. Maybe since they've added the modern exhibit "hall" in the courtyard they've repurposed the old space? (update: The museum was closed for 3 years for a 5 million euro renovation, and reopened in March 2012; it's open of Tuesday to Friday, 10:00-18:00, and 10:00-19:00 on Saturday and Sunday.
Tariffs: 4 to 8 euros).
We took the elevator to the 9th floor to the rooftop terrace and enjoyed the view
I've always wondered if the Eiffel Tower is visible from up there--yes, but slightly obscured
The terrace is open to the public until 6pm.
On the way back down, we stopped to read the menu at the restaurant on the top, Le Zyriab by Noura, which was the original purpose of my post, but I got sidetracked!
The restaurant is Lebanese, and as Darryl's step-dad is Armenian, he ate a lot of similar food growing up (dolma, pilaf, tabbouleh, etc.), so he wanted to go back to try it out. We called for a reservation that night and had a very nice meal. They have quite an extensive entree list, both hot and cold, and we shared (family style) a generous bowl of tabbouleh (parsley and wheat berry salad) and another salad, along with a big basket of Lebanese flat bread. The starters we ordered were both big enough to serve 2, so next time we will probably only order one to share, or maybe one salad and an order of hummus to spread on the bread. For mains, Darryl had shish kebab, and I had a very flavorful lemon chicken dish.
The service was perfect, the view was outstanding, and the atmosphere quite nice. The tables are spaced generously for Paris, and it was quiet. Would be a good spot for a romantic meal if you enjoy this type of food.
During the warm months, they have terrace seating available. The maître d suggested that reservations be made 10 days in advance in the summer for a terrace table. We will probably be returning as it's so close to "home"!
1 rue des Fossés St Bernard
75005 Paris
01 55 42 55 42
Reserve well in advance and ...downpour! 
hahahha