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robyn

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  1. Thank you for the information Hiroyuki. I can tell you that we had fabulous fun in many food "basements" without pictures. My husband is a somewhat good looking (if I don't say so ) middle aged man - and when he spoke Japanese to all the young ladies who were asking us to sample and buy their food - they always giggled in such a delightful way. I guess it is unusual for a western person to speak any Japanese. One thing I can say is that any effort to learn even a little Japanese before a trip to Japan will be richly rewarded. Robyn
  2. Cherry blossom season takes place at various times in various parts of the country. We were there in April - and caught the "season" in the middle of the country (as opposed to the south or north). Our rooms were normal price rooms - but we booked them far in advance (and kept our fingers crossed that we would hit some of cherry blossom season). People in Japan follow the season with great attention - there are web sites devoted to when and where trees will flower. When it is apparent that blossoms will be at their height at a particular time in a particular place - rooms sell out very quickly. As for food pictures - I am far from an expert on Japanese culture. But so many of the restaurants we went to were so small - and intimate - that it was like eating in someone's house. And the people were - in general - very reserved. I would have felt very awkward taking pictures. And I never saw anyone taking pictures of food in restaurants - or food basements in department stores for that matter. We were almost always the only western people in the restaurants where we dined - and the food basements - and I thought it best to do what seemed culturally appropriate. Note that the Japanese people take tons of pictures (I think everyone at the cherry blossom festivals had camera cell phones and were sending cherry blossom pictures to friends - as did people at various shrines and other "tourist" locations - so the absence of cameras in restaurants and stores kind of indicated to me that it wasn't appropriate). Even at the cherry blossom festival in Osaka (the street food pictures) - we were always careful to buy some of the food first - and then ask the vendors in the food stalls if it was ok to take pictures. They all said yes - but a food stall at a street festival is different than a formal meal. Also - because my husband spoke a little Japanese (gosh it's a hard language to learn) - I think that putting a camera between us and the people in these more formal places would have limited our interaction with them. We had much more fun trying to communicate - talk - we also used a lot of hand gestures - than trying to get pictures. I have lots of memories of delicious food - and enjoyable meals where we tried to bridge the culture gap just a bit - and those to me are more important than pictures. Perhaps people who live in Japan can tell me whether I was more sensitive than necessary (although I would always rather be safe than sorry). Robyn
  3. And don't forget the practical considerations of living abroad for extended periods - everything from health insurance coverage to taxes (most health insurance policies and Medicare will not cover your health care costs abroad). Depending on your personal situation - it may well make more sense to rent than buy. We had a friend who stayed at the George V for 2 months a year for over 20 years. Depending on what buying costs today - that may still be a cheaper alternative! Robyn
  4. Joan - The chef from that restaurant has moved (or will move shortly) to Le Cinq at the George V - so I think the review isn't relevant now. Robyn
  5. Well - it only took me 2 years - but I finally finished organizing the pictures I took in Japan. There's food - flowers - architecture - etc. If these pictures don't convince you to go to Japan (especially in Cherry Blossom season) - nothing will. Here's the link. Robyn
  6. Who would have thunk it? We now have a restaurant that serves dim sum at lunch with cart service. It's Bamboo Creek in Tinseltown (where the old Japanese buffet place used to be - a little north of the theater complex). I don't think Hong Kong has anything to worry about - but it is a whole lot better than I thought any Chinese restaurant in Jacksonville would ever be. Robyn
  7. I've started to read about Paris restaurants - here and elsewhere - and I can't help but notice (like in the thread about Table de Robuchon) that there are some very very good (at least on paper) deals in 2 and 3 star restaurants for lunch - as opposed to dinner. Prices 1/3-1/2 of dinner prices. I even found a 100 euro "internet lunch special" at Guy Savoy (dinner 245-295 euros). Some of these deals may be better than others. Lunch may offer less in the way of creativity - attention to detail - food choices - etc. I realize that the ingredients may be "lesser" in terms of price - but I am still an old school person who believes one test of a chef is preparing a simple fish - as opposed to foie gras. And many of my favorite ingredients aren't very expensive. Also - there may be less food at lunch than dinner - but that is ok by me. Anyway - our big meal of the day is usually lunch - and it usually isn't huge. So the idea of attractively priced 2-3 course lunches at excellent restaurants is very appealing to me (we've dined that way in other countries and have usually been very happy). More appealing than equally expensive dinners at lesser restaurants. Any recommendations of attractively priced lunches you have especially enjoyed at 2 and 3 star restaurants would be appreciated. BTW - what is the latest time to start eating lunch at most of the these places - and not get rushed out when they are ending lunch service? I am pretty bad with jet lag and will have to kick myself to get out of bed at least the first 3-4 days we will be in Paris. Robyn
  8. The "bi" is next to the prices of a large number of restaurants. For example - the Astrance listing says Menu 70 euros (lunch), 190/290 euros bi. The "bc" you mentioned is listed in the "How to Use This Guide" as meaning "house wine included". So I guess "bi" means beverages included in the English version (as opposed to "bc" in the French) - and it's up to you to figure out whether you're talking about a cup of coffee - or a a 5 course wine pairing (although the price should give you a big clue). BTW - I just got an email touting the new Zagat guide for Paris - and it has 1000 restaurant listings. So it might be a better "walking around when you're looking for a casual lunch place" guide than Michelin. Robyn
  9. The new Graham Elliot (which will open soon) will be open for Sunday brunch - not sure when (and you didn't mention the dates you will be in Chicago). This is a great question for Zagat - because restaurants that are closed Sundays have a little icon next to their name. Robyn
  10. robyn

    Robuchon

    Does La Table take reservations? I think it is hard to compare a place that serves a 55 euro lunch with a $400+ dinner. Or a place that is basically a tapas bar with a real restaurant - with tables. It might be interesting to try La Table for the same reason I want to try Senderens. To see what chefs I dined with 20 years ago are doing now. We have all gotten older - and perhaps we are in "synch" in terms of simplifying things - including our food. On the other hand - I'm not going to wait on line to sit at a bar - for any chef - anywhere (no problem eating at a bar - that's done all the time in Japan - it's the lack of reservations that I give a big thumbs down to). Robyn
  11. I recommend Flyertalk for information about hotels (and air travel and frequent guest programs). There are thousands of friendly knowledgeable participants - including me - and over a million messages - about everything from youth hostels to 5 star luxury places. Four hundred restaurants doesn't sound like a lot. Perhaps Paris is smaller than I remember - or I am jaded by visiting cities like Berlin (large) and Tokyo (huge) in the last couple of years. In any event - I am never adverse to getting off the beaten path. In my recent reading - it seemed like we'd be able to find good Vietnamese food in Paris (we have exactly zero Vietnamese restaurants where I live - so I doubt I will be the world's pickiest eater when it comes to Vietnamese cuisine - I will probably be content with places which don't meet Michelin standards). Robyn
  12. I guess there are jerks everywhere. This was in our local papers today. Anyway - Ptipois - even though smoking is generally allowed in most restaurants in Tokyo - there are "no smoking" streets (they are so crowded that if people walk around with lighted cigarettes - they can set other people on fire!). Whatever the rules are - I will follow them (the French rules are basically identical to those here in Florida). And hope that early October is still warm enough for the occasional meal/drink outside. Robyn
  13. Mexican food as good as in Texas and the southwest? I'm not a big fan of Mexican food - but the stuff we've had in Texas and Arizona in recent years has been excellent. Royn
  14. I realize I am one of the last smokers in the United States - but I suspect there are a few left in Paris . Since the smoking ban went into effect - are there any options left for us smokers? Can you smoke on outdoor patios? I recall that there was an exemption for places that put in complicated ventilation systems. If my recollection is correct - are there any places like that? Like many smokers - I don't mind eating a meal without smoking - but I really dislike non-smoking bars. Anyway - if there are any fellow smokers out there - do you have any favorite options in Paris for eating, drinking and smoking? Robyn
  15. That seems to be an ok way to order (it is mentioned in Edible Aventures in Paris) - and even I can remember it. And that's really useful information about water in general. I will gladly pay money for a lot of things - but (usually expensive) bottled water at a restaurant isn't one of them. 42390 - You're describing the Michelin Guide the way I remember it. Hundreds or thousands of very brief entries with essentials like addresses - phone numbers - hours - prices - style of food - stars and knives and forks (if any) - and some other misc. icons (like the one for a good view). Guess that format is defunct. No big deal - it was much more useful in places other than large cities (like when you're on the road looking for a place to eat lunch). I think part of the fun of a large city is poking around on foot and exploring - and stumbling on places. I am sure that no matter what - we won't starve . PhilD - I know what knives and forks are supposed to mean technically. But I've found that a place with one knife and fork is apt to have pretty good food - not "star quality" food - but good eats. Robyn
  16. I just got the book from Amazon today - and it looks good. I especially like the listings of food related things other than restaurants (like pastry shops - markets - cookware stores - etc.). At $12.21 - it's a bargain. Robyn
  17. Another slightly OT question - although it is about the Michelin Guide. The Paris edition in English only lists restaurants that have at least one knife and fork (and maybe not even all of the restaurants with 1 and 2 knives and forks). I am kind of used to the old Michelin guides that list all restaurants. Is there any Michelin Guide that covers Paris (in French or English) that still does that (we don't get a lot of these guides in our local bookstores - so I order them sight unseen on Amazon)? I don't want to restrict myself to the 350 restaurants listed in the Paris guide (I suspect there are a lot more than 350 restaurants in Paris!). Robyn
  18. IN most Paris restaurants I ask for chateau de seine(tap water) In a carafe. NO problem what so ever.Its usually chilled. Incidentally I Have conducted blind water tasting .Its very hard to discern any difference in non carbonated water by most people. ← Thanks for the great information! The only reason I drink water with meals is to stay hydrated. I do not need a water sommelier . And - after sightseeing - particularly if the weather is warm - my husband and I can drink an awful lot of water (in Germany - my husband tended to hydrate with beer - which was kind of a bad idea ). Anyway - if we order normal drinks - like wine and spirits - it is nice to know that we won't get fishy looks if we also order "Chateau de Seine" . BTW - I live in northeast Florida - close to the Georgia border - and a lot of tap water here - even from city water systems - is very high on sulfur content. IOW - it stinks! So I'm sure that Paris tap water will be more than ok in my book. Robyn
  19. Thanks. I assume the drink is something like coffee or tea - not wine - or water (the water can cost more than the wine!). BTW - is it at all acceptable today to ask for "tap water" in Paris (I doubt it - but figured there's no harm asking)? Robyn
  20. I recently got the 2008 edition of the Michelin Guide to Paris. Many of the restaurant descriptions say Menu X euros bi. BC means house wine included but I can't find what "bi" means. The only thing that came to mind is "bread included" - but that doesn't sound right to me. Does anyone know the key to this code? Robyn
  21. P.S. For a lot of stuff that we can't grow locally - or can grow only a few months a year (for example - lettuce) - a lot of smaller restaurants use Costco. The quality for most items is very good - and the price is right.
  22. Where are you in NE Florida? And what are you looking for? You might take Chef Michael McMillan from Opus 39 in St. Augustine out to lunch one day - and talk with him about where he sources his food (he really tries to be local when possible). Chef Morey Anderson at the TPC at Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach might be another source of information (Chef Michael's buying is probably much smaller scale than Chef Morey's - so it kind of depends what your purchasing needs are). I don't know how long you've been in the area - but - if you drive around in the agricultural areas here during various seasons - you'll note that we don't have a great variety of very local produce - and the seasons for what we have usually aren't very long (e.g., St. Johns County - where I live - is known mostly for cabbage and potatoes). Mayport shrimp and other local local seafood are probably some of your better bets. One thing you can do is start a small herb garden - a lot of chefs and home cooks do it here. It's very easy - and guarantees good seasonings (although many will vary with the seasons - some are better for cool weather growing - others for hot). Robyn (not a professional chef - just a local who likes to cook and eat well)
  23. I'm glad that meal at Le Meurice was for 3 - not 1. I was starting to get worried (I know prices are high - but I didn't think that high!). I tend to look at restaurant websites to get general information about the style/type of food and price information. But since I like seasonal cuisine - the exact menus usually aren't that useful (I won't get what they're serving now in spring veggie season in May when I'm in Paris in October - which is fall veggie and game season). FWIW - we have a Delta flight from Atlanta to Paris at 3:30 pm in October. You had me worried - and I checked. It's still a valid flight. If I were 200 miles from Atlanta (like you are) - I'd simply drive there in the morning and take the flight. Not for a month (parking would probably cost a fortune) - but for shorter trips. Sometimes we drive to Orlando (about 100 miles) if we can catch a non-stop international flight from there. With all this talk of various restaurants - I am curious. Doesn't anyone just go to Paris these days and poke around - and try a place - especially for lunch? I'm not talking really high end - or low end either - just places in the middle. A nice sit down lunch. We tend to do that a lot in larger "walking cities". Is dining so uneven in Paris these days that I have to worry about taking "pot luck"? Or is it simply so expensive that people don't want to take chances? Robyn
  24. I was more interested in the chocolates at Jean Paul Hevin. And I really hate caramels (no offense to those of you out there who love them - everyone's sweet tooth is different). What I really enjoyed doing in Japan was going to the better food basements - and buying a couple of these - and a couple of those - and coming back to the hotel with a small pile of exquisitely wrapped small packages that I could sample over the course of a few days (not exactly eco-friendly - but very beautiful and very delicious). Any place in Paris you can do that? Note that I thought that the French pastry/chocolates in Japan were extremely high quality. If they are as good in France these days - I will be one happy camper. Robyn
  25. Someone has recommend Jean Paul Hevin to me. Any opinions about it? Robyn
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