Post by geordy on Feb 21, 2013 10:15:39 GMT -5
AKA Weekend in Paris!
Breakfast was included in room rate and was served 7-10:30 so we indulged each day but the last when we had to leave so early! Nice spread ...all self service.
Checked out the market at Pl Maubert, almost bought some things but didn't want to carry around...mistake. Then Metro ed to Pl Wilson, walked thru Market there and then headed to Musee d'Art Moderne for L'Art en Guerre(hence the Hell.."War is Hell reference")
Excellent comprehensive exhibition but I won't go on as it has closed..
When we went in it was cold, cloudy....come out still cold but ..Sun!
Check out La Pistacherie ( read about in a newsletter)@ Place Alma, got some of the nuts and candies made with them. Then walk back across river for wandering, parapharmacy shopping, etc. Stop for lunch at Cafe de Marche on Rue Cler....like this place for people watching though their menu has gotten very burger heavy
. But the specials can be counted on...had brandade there once! 
..this time had the fish special.. dorade in a white butter sauce avec a timbale of riz with lovely veggies(fava beans, haricort vert, tomate, etc. and salad Wine and cafe. Waiter was great...nice tip for a cafe meal!
Got to watch Pompiers at work...they came in and took out a young staff woman on a stretcher chair...no easy feat with their gear and the packed place! She looked pale but not too bad.
Weave our way back home stopping at Pharmacy, grocery....
Diner @ Rotisserie d'en Face on Rue Christine. Started with Champagne and olives then got right to the roasted chicken and superb potato puree! Brouilly and a decadent cheese plate.
Typical Saturday!
Sunday we head to 10:00 Gregorienne Mass at Notre Dame. Never actually went to a whole Mass there before so was interesting. With the recent wording changes I don't even know it all in English anymore let alone French...but some things from childhood are just in your bones! Speaking of bones it was very cold out and over an hour in the Cathedral the chill went right to them!
The new bells are displayed in the center aisle and after Mass you could go touch and examine though the poor ushers were trying to move folks along to get more in for next Mass. Quite impressive, and I touched and paid my respects since I won't be making the climb to visit them...did that back on 1st trip in '87 with a sprained ankle...because "I might never get here again" 
I limped for weeks once I got home....
Exit Cathedral and it is snowing! Metro to Pl de Italie because I had read something about a Lunar New Year Parade/celebration in the area....nada...and that Place sure isn't pretty. particularly on a deserted Sunday! (Read since activities were Sun 17th..day we left)
Walk back thru Mouffetard, yes they are dancing but it is too cold and windy to stop for long, and decide on a homey Sunday lunch at the St Michel Chez Clement. Lots of multi-generation French families with the same idea! Efficient service, had Spits from the sea..brochettes with hake wrapped in bacon, salmon, shrimp and scallops served on basil mashed potatoes...white burgundy. Cafe Gourmand..avec chocolat mousse, creme brulee, and a little orange gateau soaked in orange liqueur. Weather worse..windy. rainy.raw..a few shopping stops and back to hotel for warmth!
Now..a couple of weeks before trip I had read a good account of Paradis Latin. I had not been to one of these type of show since the aforementioned trip...went I went to the Moulin Rouge with my sister and friend wearing my "1st trip to Paris" little black dress, heels and my ace bandage wrapped ankle! Never been with S/O..almost talked into the Lido one night in our hotel bar near Champs Elysees by other guests but it was too late. So thought, what the Hell..only a few blocks from Hotel and what else on a Sunday nite?
Good idea..because if we hadn't bought the tickets we probably would have stayed in...we were well fed from lunch had wine and snacks in room. and it was freezing and snowing!
So we sallied forth..bldg built by Gustav Eiffel..you toast him at one point of the show. Much smaller ..and less expensive..then the other shows. We did the dinner..the least expensive at 130 Euros which includes Champ and vin...which worked out to a half bottle of Champ(Canard-Duchene!) and bottle of bordeaux for the two of us.
3 choices of a starter, 2 plat, and ice cream for dessert(choice is vanilla and chocolate..or two scoops of one!
And of course includes the show!
I started with shrimp in puff pastry...quite tasty and plentiful plump shrimp! Then chicken fricassee....don't see that on menus much anymore...particularly here. It was good. also served with puff..which I skipped and didn't eat that much as the eating was catching up with me as it does these days The waiter was concerned.."you didn't like it? I can swap for fish(other choice was salmon with provincial veggies which S/O) enjoyed)" but I explained I was just full. The very good glace slid down nicely later though.
Most of the seats are close to stage and some of the action takes place in center aisle where our places were...long communal tables but because it wasn't full...snowy Sun nite in Feb....we were nicely separated. Some groups came in for just the Champ and show or just show after dinner but no big bus loads. They are seated up a step from the main dinner tables.
Totally enjoyed...requisite half naked women, old standard songs, juggler, trapeze, and I love a good can can..all that whooping, screaming and jumping about! Plus the frilly skirts and boots...
This time I wore slacks, sweater and snow boots!
Breakfast was included in room rate and was served 7-10:30 so we indulged each day but the last when we had to leave so early! Nice spread ...all self service.
Checked out the market at Pl Maubert, almost bought some things but didn't want to carry around...mistake. Then Metro ed to Pl Wilson, walked thru Market there and then headed to Musee d'Art Moderne for L'Art en Guerre(hence the Hell.."War is Hell reference")
Excellent comprehensive exhibition but I won't go on as it has closed..
When we went in it was cold, cloudy....come out still cold but ..Sun!
Check out La Pistacherie ( read about in a newsletter)@ Place Alma, got some of the nuts and candies made with them. Then walk back across river for wandering, parapharmacy shopping, etc. Stop for lunch at Cafe de Marche on Rue Cler....like this place for people watching though their menu has gotten very burger heavy
. But the specials can be counted on...had brandade there once! 
..this time had the fish special.. dorade in a white butter sauce avec a timbale of riz with lovely veggies(fava beans, haricort vert, tomate, etc. and salad Wine and cafe. Waiter was great...nice tip for a cafe meal!Got to watch Pompiers at work...they came in and took out a young staff woman on a stretcher chair...no easy feat with their gear and the packed place! She looked pale but not too bad.
Weave our way back home stopping at Pharmacy, grocery....
Diner @ Rotisserie d'en Face on Rue Christine. Started with Champagne and olives then got right to the roasted chicken and superb potato puree! Brouilly and a decadent cheese plate.
Typical Saturday!
Sunday we head to 10:00 Gregorienne Mass at Notre Dame. Never actually went to a whole Mass there before so was interesting. With the recent wording changes I don't even know it all in English anymore let alone French...but some things from childhood are just in your bones! Speaking of bones it was very cold out and over an hour in the Cathedral the chill went right to them!
The new bells are displayed in the center aisle and after Mass you could go touch and examine though the poor ushers were trying to move folks along to get more in for next Mass. Quite impressive, and I touched and paid my respects since I won't be making the climb to visit them...did that back on 1st trip in '87 with a sprained ankle...because "I might never get here again"
I limped for weeks once I got home....Exit Cathedral and it is snowing! Metro to Pl de Italie because I had read something about a Lunar New Year Parade/celebration in the area....nada...and that Place sure isn't pretty. particularly on a deserted Sunday! (Read since activities were Sun 17th..day we left
)Walk back thru Mouffetard, yes they are dancing but it is too cold and windy to stop for long, and decide on a homey Sunday lunch at the St Michel Chez Clement. Lots of multi-generation French families with the same idea! Efficient service, had Spits from the sea..brochettes with hake wrapped in bacon, salmon, shrimp and scallops served on basil mashed potatoes...white burgundy. Cafe Gourmand..avec chocolat mousse, creme brulee, and a little orange gateau soaked in orange liqueur. Weather worse..windy. rainy.raw..a few shopping stops and back to hotel for warmth!
Now..a couple of weeks before trip I had read a good account of Paradis Latin. I had not been to one of these type of show since the aforementioned trip...went I went to the Moulin Rouge with my sister and friend wearing my "1st trip to Paris" little black dress, heels and my ace bandage wrapped ankle! Never been with S/O..almost talked into the Lido one night in our hotel bar near Champs Elysees by other guests but it was too late. So thought, what the Hell..only a few blocks from Hotel and what else on a Sunday nite?
Good idea..because if we hadn't bought the tickets we probably would have stayed in...we were well fed from lunch had wine and snacks in room. and it was freezing and snowing!
So we sallied forth..bldg built by Gustav Eiffel..you toast him at one point of the show. Much smaller ..and less expensive..then the other shows. We did the dinner..the least expensive at 130 Euros which includes Champ and vin...which worked out to a half bottle of Champ(Canard-Duchene!) and bottle of bordeaux for the two of us.
3 choices of a starter, 2 plat, and ice cream for dessert(choice is vanilla and chocolate..or two scoops of one!
And of course includes the show!I started with shrimp in puff pastry...quite tasty and plentiful plump shrimp! Then chicken fricassee....don't see that on menus much anymore...particularly here. It was good. also served with puff..which I skipped and didn't eat that much as the eating was catching up with me as it does these days
The waiter was concerned.."you didn't like it? I can swap for fish(other choice was salmon with provincial veggies which S/O) enjoyed)" but I explained I was just full. The very good glace slid down nicely later though.Most of the seats are close to stage and some of the action takes place in center aisle where our places were...long communal tables but because it wasn't full...snowy Sun nite in Feb....we were nicely separated. Some groups came in for just the Champ and show or just show after dinner but no big bus loads. They are seated up a step from the main dinner tables.
Totally enjoyed...requisite half naked women, old standard songs, juggler, trapeze, and I love a good can can..all that whooping, screaming and jumping about! Plus the frilly skirts and boots...
This time I wore slacks, sweater and snow boots!
Let the riot begin! LOL - 
hahahha