John Talbott

Rosa Jackson, in this month’s “Paris Bites” in Paris Notes gives her favorites: La Cour Jardin, Le Plaza Athenee Restaurant du Palais Royal Le Kiosque Flottant Chez Lena et Mimile.

Here's the wording "Le restaurant étoilé d'Antoine Heerah et de Jerome Bodereau, Le Chamarré vient de fermer ses portes fin Juin 2007." No mention of a move.

Their info is a bit out of date, because the Bistro de la Muette has been open for a little while now. I can't remember when, but it has been several months. ← Don't shoot the messenger, I was just quoting an undated announcement.True, May 19th, it had been reviewed by Emmanuel Rubin, but I don't think he mentioned that it was where Parc had been located. A lot of the website "news" is old, unfortunately.

Since this topic goes back to 2001, it may be out of date. I'm looking for a place with good food (Iberian preferred) with a secure parking lot for lunch en route up the Coast. Thanks

First off, thanks for this and the other great Portland topic. From all, I put together a list including: The Front Room, Hugo's, Duckfat, Street & Co, 555 + Cinque Terre.I have a remarkably similar question to MMerrill's but with some added parameters: We will be coming in August for a Saturday sit-down lunch with wine and good grub, setting and location immaterial (in Paris those are oxymoronic). While we arrive close to noon, we do not need to leave Portland quickly. We will be between lots of French food at the source and lots of clams, lobstah and beer at their source (for a week), thus we need neither emphasized. And we will be three (haruumpf) mature adults who haven't talked in person since one of our spouses died, thus we'd like a place quiet enough to talk. A big order but we appreciate and count on the kindness of strangers and I'd be delighted to reciprocate anytime anyone visits Paris. Thanks.

I have to agree with you there, and I almost hold my breath as I do... but I was soo disappointed! ← I think that Dehillerin belongs to a growing body of businesses, restaurants included, whose importance lies in their place in history rather than their current market relevance. The collective "we" were beguiled by Dehillerin at a time when its gleaming but mysterious vessels with decades if not centuries of proven utility, utensils and gadgets for creating the most exquisite creations, guaranteed that our kitchens could look like a pro's even if we couldn't cook like one. Today, we are probably better cooks and professional grade cookware is available everywhere for those willing to pay the price, but there's still unmistakable caché in the subtle imprint of "Dihillerin, France" on one's copper. ← Ain't it the truth.In 1970 I remember it as a shrine where one went every trip and friends placed orders that they eagerly awaited delivery on. Now I must pass it once a month and I don't even scope the windows. Funny thing. But how much is because the items we once thought were rare are on the web, in US cooking stores or even Monoprix?

Friday’s IHT had an article on “Savoring a weekend in Brussels” by Dan Bilefsky that mentioned Le Roy d’Espagne’s Trappist beer, Marcolini’s chocolates and the new resto Museum Brasserie, chef’d by Peter Goossens of Hof van Cleve.

The Week of July 9th, 2007 Monday’s Le Fooding had an article by Elvira Masson of a wine bar Quedubon, 22 rue du Plateau in the 19th, 01 42 38 18 65, closed Sundays, serving plates of excellent charcuterie and cheese. Monday-Tuesday, A Nous Paris, had its two reviews: the highest ranking (3/5) going to Les Puces, 110, rue Legendre in the 17th, (ironically just up the street from the place reviewed last week Edgar), 01.42.26.62.26, open 7/7 with non-stop service and menus at 13 and 16 €, where Jerome Berger commented positively on the scallops, frites, entrecote, lamb tagine and chocolate mousse. Philippe Toinard gave only 2/5 to the Italianate Vinoteca in the 8th. Wednesday, GoGoParis reviewed La Pizzetta in the 9th. Wednesday, as well, Richard Hesse in Paris Update enthusiastically reviewed Cristal de Sel. Thursday’s Le Monde had an article by Jean Claude Ribaut on restaurants in Provence that included: Piedoie, L'Ami voyage en compagnie, Aubertin + Le Prieuré in Avignon or Villeneuve-lès-Avignon and La Villa Madie in Cassis. Thursday, in l’Express, Eric Libaut had an article on Green vs Blond lentils saying that green ones are favored by Regis Marcon, Francois Gagnaire, Philippe Brun + Michel Troisgros and blond by Michel Bras, Louis Bernard Puech + Jerome Cazanave. Thursday, in ParuVendu, Dominique Parravano reviewed a place I haven’t seen reviewed before Certains l’Aiment Show, 12 rue Dauphine in the 6th, 01.56.24.01.00, which is described as a restaurant-piano bar but whose food is described as “divine,” and where the menu is 45 € for creative but traditional food such as tomatoes and mozzarella, cod with wine sauce, beef with morilles and crème brulee. Friday in Liberation, Vincent Noce devoted an entire page to Jean Paul Arabian and Cameleon, coordinates given before. Saturday/Sunday, BP published an article by Margaret Kemp on Christian Constant’s new Les Cocottes and one by John Talbott on "Strange Bizarre Weird." Sunday’s NYT Magazine had an article by Ken Gross entitled “The Baker’s Ex-Wife,” a reference to her husband of 14 years – Pierre Herme - about Frederick Grasser-Herme who has written more than 20 cookbooks. It features three recipes for Italian chicory with anchovy sauce, crab in hot dog buns and crumbled cookies with an ice cream/sorbet/champagne topping. Sunday’s Independent had a nice review of Spring by Terry Durack. Sunday’s Miami Herald/LA Times Service had an article by S. Irene Virbila “Paris sizzles with informal fun food” that mentions: Le Villaret, La Table de Robuchon, Gaya, Pinxo, Benoit + Le Compoir and says “Paris is back,’ {from where, I might ask?} Please post comments here and not in the Digest thread.

According to Les Restos.com the above-mentioned Enrico Bernardo (who, according to Gayot just opened a place, La Villa Madie, in Cassis in April) was at the Cinq before that and Il Vino will occupy the ex-Le Chamarré space, chef yet un-named - but chef Arnaud Mene after six years at La Ferme Saint-Simon in the 7th will open his own place in place of l’Actuel in the 7th, which was Casual, which replaced La Gourmandine - {this is a cursed space clearly}. The former Parc restaurant in the 16th is closing and being replaced by Le Bistro de La Muette; a new resto Acabar d’entrar in the 2nd has been opened by "Auvergnats" from Cantal and the Tour d’Argent will be closed until September 17th for refurbishing, according to Eat in Paris. The Relais Christine newsletter says that Amelot has become Au Petit Monsieur and they recommend it for its 50-60 € meals.

Wine things opening in September include: Il Vino, 13 bd de La Tour Maubourg in the 7th by the Best sommelier in the World 2007 - Enrico Bernardo, La Sydrerie de l'Etoile, 6 rue de Tilsitt in the 8th by Alain Dutournier and Rugbyman Philippe Sella and an as yet unnamed wine bar near his Atelier by Joël Robuchon and Antoine Hernandez. Source: Web Radio France.

Thanks offcentre, I couldn't get link to work but got it by Googling Spring Terry Durack Independent. Daniel also mentioned that Tom Sietsema of the Washington Post had been there but I've not seen his review/article there yet.As for interesting that Hidden Kitchen too is a dream fulfilled.Ah Paris.

I wound up eating at Pho 98 in Chantilly; not bad but nothing like Viet Nam itself or Dan Bau in Paris. If one is stuck at the Westfields Marriott as I was, though, not a bad spot.

We've just been having a vigorous discussion here and if you go back a page or two you'll find more. I'm surprised the Tour de France would increase reservations. It doesn't reach Paris til the end of the month. Are you open to eating at lunch? Never a problem.

From the Digest February 12th And from April 23rd

Much as I respect both Margaret and Pierre45, (Disclosure, both of whom I have met,) they made a mistake - that is, eating dinner here. As I've said elsewhere, eat at lunch, here or at Spring or elsewhere. At Le Grand Pan, my first time there were The second time, with 4 persons, for lunch Colette had raie with "a really good sauce" and side portion of mushrooms and puree of celeriac and potatoes and a good rice pudding for dessert. The rest of us ate equally well, with none of the "twofer" things. Caveat night-eater!

July 07 Spring, Au Gourmand, Karl & Erick, Cristal de Sel and some Golden Oldies. Lunch; getting better all the time 8.75 Spring, 28, rue de la Tour d’Auvergne in the 9th, 01.45.96.05.72, open for dinner Tuesday-Friday nights; lunch if there’s a demand. This is a place I reported on in November 2006 but I went back this month, since (1) Daniel Rose now has a sous-chef and (2) is open for lunch; and I wanted to see if the food was any different; it is; it’s better. Reporting what we had won’t help you because he changes the menu according to the market, whim and desire, but I’ll give you what we had anyway. We started with a small warm cauliflower soup with crispy duck skin, a dash of flavored oil and pureed squash; then moved on to fried sardines atop green and red heirloom tomatoes, chorizo slices and minced mint accompanied by a small wedge of lime; then an incredible and generous portion of roasted veal with potatoes and a large slice of roasted eggplant; and finally an apricot delight and cherries on top of what I thought was a dollop of crème fraiche. With a Languedoc and coffee, the bill for two was 84 €. Should One Go? If you haven’t, you’re missing the treat of the year. Successful wherever they are. 7.0 Au Gourmand, 17, rue Moliere in the 1st, 01.42.96.22.19, closed Sundays and Mondays, menu-carte 2 dishes = 28, 3 dishes 32, all veggies = 30 € is the successfully transplanted resto of the same name from across town and across from the Luxembourg Gardens. The maitre d’ (Herve de Libouton) welcomed us warmly, later saying he recalled us from the old place, which is a safe bet since there are probably not a lot of foursomes of gangly, demi-ghastly dressed, tall American geezers stumbling around town; in any case Christophe Courgeau’s cooking has improved with the move and we had a great meal. The products are all good, fresh and traceable – vegetables by Thiebault, butter by Bordier, bread by Poujauran, etc. We started with two firsts; a “thick” pair of lamb kidneys on 10 strips of chard with a great sauce and a strange “tartare” of langoustines with seaweed and potatoes - strange because searching for the bits of langoustines was futile. Then two of us had the bar while the other two had a pigeon and confited lamb; all four served atop a mélange of al dente seasonal vegetables. At that point we broke for cheese (perfectly affinated Reblochon and Camembert); terminating with a carrot and nut cake with ginger ice cream, effusively praised by Colette. With coffee and wine the bill for four was 203.50 € but we had three supplemental charges totaling 21 €. Should you go? Wow!, three hearts hardly does it justice. Another mixed experience 4.5 Karl & Erick, 20, rue de Tocqueville in the 17th, 01.42.27.03.71, closed Saturday lunch and Sundays, 2 dish lunch menu = 22 €, is the not totally successful transplantation of the Jumeaux team from the 11th to the 17th. The new décor is stunning and pleasant; bright red upholstery, dark wood chairs and tables, lovely wall mirrors. The amuse gueule was a chilled tomato soup that was made from the real thing; the melon soup with Bayonne ham was superb – cold soups are clearly one of Karl’s strengths. Colette had a very good artichoke heart with eggplant caviar and Paga had chunky salmon – both were delicious. Then, however, things turned downhill; while Paga’s magret of duck was delightfully undercooked inside and crisp on the outside, my seiche with chrorizo was bland and the Noirmoutier potatoes (one of my favorite things in the world) unremarkable. The ladies had a split opinion on the cod with tapenade; one opining that it was OK, the other unhhh not so great - me, I thought the tapenade made it edible. The dessert (four miniatures: a cherry/pistachio/crème fraiche glass, a dense chocolate mousse, pain d’epice with a raspberry sorbet and a cup of crème brulee) was very good. The bill = a wonderful 74 € for two. Should one go, should we return? If you were two of us, yes, two of us, no. Five years under the mast of Eric Frechon? Not enough. 2.0 Cristal de Sel, 13, rue de Mademoiselle in the 15th, 01.42.50.35.29, closed Sundays and Mondays. I really wanted to like this place, modestly favorably written up by Emmanuel Rubin and Francois Regis Gaudry, more enthusiastically by Richard Hesse, chef’d by Eric Frechon’s second for five years at the Bristol, featuring good products from Camdeborde frere, Bordier, etc., and described by Gaudry as a Maserati mounted on the Twingo. It has brand new zinc tables and a nice airy atmosphere, but incredibly bad acoustics. We were seven, three from the neighborhood and we four from far away, and we disagreed about the quality of our meals; our local friends loving it, we more ambivalent. The amuse bouche were fine rillettes and the Fitou was good. We shared one first; a boite of Ramon Pena sardines that cost 10 € that came with algae-infused butter; shared, in that two of us had one each (eg 5 € each) constituting the biggest canned sardine ripoff since Minchelli peddled them for over a $100 a tin. Then we had a host of dishes that we more or less shared. The duck filet was nicely cooked but judged too tough by one of us, although the accompanying caramelized turnips were fabulous; the cabillaud with petit pois and mousserans was OK; the tuna quite tasty and properly crisp on the outside, raw on the inside; but the poitrine of pork with mustard seed coating was more super-salé than demi-salé although the girolles were quite good. Desserts included crepes with apples, a mi-cuit of chocolate, a peach tarte, and a sable with rhubarb and roasted apricots; only the latter of which was mind-blowing. Taking away the jokey sardines and pasta that the youngest of our guests had (together costing 22 €) the bill would have been 242 € for six adults or 80 € a couple. Should one go? If you’re like my friends and it’s walking distance from home, sure. As astute readers between the lines have divined, my computer normally goes silent five months a year; in January, March, July, August, and October. That’s because I’m either entertaining Colette and our two best lifelong food friends and visiting the old haunts in Paris or exploring Italy, Greece, Aspen, Maine, etc. In case of the latter, I post on those forums; in the case of the former, why repeat reviews of places folks have tired of my raving about? However, the day this was written, the four of us were dining at Ze Kitchen Galerie and the three of them turned to and on me and said, you really should report this. It has to have been our dozenth or so meal there and my first impulse was to say – why? But I realized why. Because William Ledeuil really is innovating each day, tweaking his menu and moving. (Disclosure: Ledeuil knows who I am.) But let’s go back to today. The aforementioned amuse gueule was a small lump of shredded crab with al dente haricots verts, a microtomed slice of sweet green apple and teeny tiny edible flowers on top with three spicy sauces almost apart, one clearly lime oil – at that point I could have died and gone to heaven. This is why the “Le Fooding, Omnivore, Generation C” folks go nuts over him and his ilk; he and they are trying new exotic, Asian, African and native spices, flowers and herbs in new combos. And this is why folks, well-meaning, smart, informed, foreign and native folks are so critical of Ze; it’s not your French grandmother’s or your 1950 Experiment in International Living or even your Lyon bouchot or French bistro food. Detractors say; oh, I can get that in LA or Vancouver or New York. “Yah, sure,” say my Brooklyn Heights friends, who also eat frequently on the West Coast, “just try to.” In any case; onto our firsts. I had a Thai/Chinese spiced concoction of diced giant shrimp on top of so-called noodles; Colette had a deconstructed crab, beetroot and ginger “gazpacho,” inventively flavored with mango and turmeric with chunks of heirloom tomatoes and a dollop of two different purees (one of which was avocado) and a side dish with a large, deep-fried ball of mozzarella, all warm and creamy; Paga had a type of pasta with spring vegetables (petit pois, feves, carrot bits, etc.); then for mains - Èlan had a fricassee of mussels and frogs’ legs with coco beans and a green sauce with a small burst of wasabi; Paga had blue tuna (that I loved, and I usually do not like cooked tuna, even if sashimi-quality, seared on the surface) and spicy sauce; I had the sweetbreads with artichoke hearts, dried tomatoes and forcemeat; and Colette had zucchini flowers stuffed with a forcemeat of pork & shrimp in a gloriously flavored sauce. None of us had tasted these seven dishes before on our visits there and all had spicy, exotic sauces that were superb and pushed the envelope a bit - but not too far. I couldn’t resist the dessert description of a cappuccino of strawberries with four layers of goodness on top and a hint of wasabi lurking; all four of us plunged in and loved the mingling flavors. In sum, this is not a place for all who live under eGullet’s broad tent, but for some, it is just great and its never-the-same-twice approach suits us just dandy. I’m going to take a second Mulligan here and discuss our meal at L’Opportun in the 13th. The last time I ate there was during the Mad Cow Scare, where we were warned to avoid beef, so since 99% of the menu is bovine, I felt I had hardly tested the house. This time, though, two of us went and we did. For starters we split the petis gris meurette which was spectacular and the endive salad with crisp duck skin and its underlying meat, equally good. Then my guest had the tartare of beef and I had the veal kidneys, both perfectly prepared and accompanied by frites, which I found so-so. We spied the Paris Brest go by, that was approximately the same size as the city of Brest, so we had no dessert. Our bill was 117.80 € and it certainly goes on my “authentic Paris places” list. Just so I don’t slight anyone, our repeat meals at Grand Pan, Rech, Le Violin d’Ingres, l’Escarbille, Maree de Passy, l’Ecallier du Bistrot, Villaret, Fables de la Fontaine, except for tough shrimp in Colette’s gazpacho, blah sweetbreads at Villaret, and a failed deconstructed overaspic’d gazpacho at the Fables de la Fontaine, were all good and golden. Scale (subject to fickleness and change): 10 – The best you’ve ever had, eg Girardet in the old days. 9 – The places you went/go to because they’re destinations, eg Pere Bise 8 – The places that did their best in their prime Robuchon, Ducasse, Loiseau 7 – The places today beating the competition Ze Kitchen Galerie, Spring, Constant x3 6- The old reliables Repaire de Cartouche, Thierry Burlot, Bistro du Dome 5 – Fun neighborhood places Le Winch 4 – Places to go on cook’s night out Terminus Nord 3 – Places if you’re really stuck 2 Pieces Cuisine, Le Truc 2 – A pick-up meal Sale + Pepe 1 – Really hitting bottom le Nord-Sud 0 – Never again Auguste, The Place Ø- No kidding, you can’t drag me Iode

Since Daniel reads this Forum, he can answer for himself but he served six of us for lunch last week, with I think 2 other couples. When I asked him, he said he'll open if "there's a demand," which I interpret to mean if he gets reservations. The kitchen was certainly functioning at full speed that day. I'll be posting my review soon.

To avoid double posting, I'll refer members interested in cheap eats in Paris here.

French Food Guides 2007 - Chapter 10 - Les Meilleurs Restos a Petits Prix “Les Meilleurs restos a petits prix,” Catherine Jarrige, Parigramme, 6 €, covers everything from unknown places (Le Bar des Amis) serving dirt-cheap full meals (10 € for example) to well-known places featuring reasonably priced specials or mains (Chartier, Pre Verre, Comptoir, Café Constant, Temps au Temps, Beurre Noisette for 12-15 €) as well as tea salons, wine bars and foreign food places.

DAMN! Can't believe I missed this one. He was booked every night I was in Paris. ← Yet another reason to eat one's big meal at lunch; last Thursday there were plenty of seats available.

Well, we were limited in time and only had three meals in the area. They were: L’Orée de la Foret, 255, rue de la Foret, in Etouy (near Clermont, east of Beauvais) 03.44.51.65.18, closed Fridays and Saturday lunch and Sunday night, is a one star, three fork&spoons place that was splendid; located near/in a forest, in a great detached building, with a chef (Nicolas Leclerc) on the rise and a menu that didn’t miss a beat - it’s got to be the best meal of our foursome’s year. The three “menus” did not excite us, so we all ordered a la carte. The amuse gueule was a strip of marinated salmon with a dollop of Béarnaise-laden whipped cream topped with a tiny fennel frond and a tablespoon of shredded red carrots. Then, I started with sautéed foie gras, rhubarb and cilantro and my buddy had four giant langoustine tails served with two slices of perfectly cooked leek terrine, three helpings of compoted sun-dried tomatoes and minced cucumber and red pepper surrounded with a drizzle of vinaigrette and drops of concentrated balsamic; then our guests both had pigeonneau that was as delicate and tasty as possible, beautifully carved so it was easy and pleasurable to eat. The bird was served atop a bed of butter-wilted green cabbage, alongside two roasted beets, one red, one white – the white beet was sweet as sugar. Colette had a tournedo with a wine sauce, accompanied by layered chard custard and sliced roasted new potatoes. I had sweetbreads that were just wonderful. We eschewed dessert but all the other dining clients in the room had dessert and next time, I’ll leave room. It was all quite incredible and with wine and coffee was 237 € for four. La Bonne Auberge, 63 Route Nationale in Dury (near Amiens), 03.22.95.03.33, was a good, but less than great, meal. The amuse bouche was/were a cup of watermelon soup with another creamy portion of Israeli couscous in fish sauce called ocean caviar. My friend and I split the firsts: once again, one was an order of sautéed foie gras with rhubarb and the other a wonderful combo of petoncles and langoustines with spicy chorizo chips. Then as mains I had sweetbreads (yes, again) with figs, Colette had scallops with an anchovy/caper sauce; our friends had (she) a salmon with mange touts and (he) lamb souris – all served with scraped carrots, broccoli and squash that were straight from the garden. Then, the one sour note; cold, pre-cut cheese. But partial redemption: a mi-cuit of chocolate and a chocolate pyramid that were not the best but OK. The bill 161.20 €, worthy of the Bib Gourmand it had earned. Les Tourelles2/4 rue Pierre Guerlain in Le Crotoy, 03.22.27.16.33 was as kerrar described it, a very special place; after a day’s rain, the sun came out and we had one heckaofa spectacular view of the sunset over the Somme estuary. The food, unfortunately has slipped since kerrar was there; for example, the fish soup was pallid, indeed tasteless, the salad of crudities not what any of us, no matter how ignorant, would have purchased at any ordinary market, the Normandy oysters were pre-shucked and dry by the time of their service, the bulots had never been washed and sand interfered with enjoying them and the shrimp had not been de-veined and thus was oozing red intestinal something. There was a mixed vote on the mussels; one lady liking them, the other saying they were tasteless. My pal and I each had bar which was OK, but the red sauce was surely a mystery. In its favor, though, the butter was great and our serveuse terrific. However, at breakfast we really enjoyed the six-grain bread, fabulous croissants and jams, despite the miserable coffee. The cost was 171.00 € for four for the dinner and 9 € a person for breakfast, but I’ll never come back for the food, for sure.Unfortunately the weather turned evil again the next morning with a fierce gale-force wind, so we didn’t have the chance to try Pti’s rec, the , but will next time we’re in the area.

The Week of July 2nd, 2007 Monday’s Le Fooding had an article by Alexandre Cammas about C. Constant’s new place Les Cocottes, 135 rue Saint Dominique in the 7th, open 7/7, no phone, no reservations serving small plates, salads, soups, cod, pigeon, etc. Monday-Tuesday, A Nous Paris, had two reviews: the first a sort of fusion-y sounding place Edgar, 83, rue Legendre in the 17th, (the old Le Morosophe space), 01.53.06.82.82, closed Sundays and Mondays, two courses=15, three=18 and another menu at 30 €, to which Jerome Berger awarded 4/5 blocks for fare such as a duo of salmon (sashimi and marinated), medallions of veal kidneys with Chinese cabbage, avocado salad with crab, beef with ginger and soy and lots of vegetables; meanwhile Philippe Toinard gave only 2/5 to Sans Relief, 1-16, blvd de la Republique in B/B, 01.46.20.05.82, a la carte from 23-42 € for salmon tartare with mesclun salad, veal liver and crème brulee. Wednesday, Richard Hesse in Paris Update enthusiastically reviewed Restaurant de la Grille, where the fish was very good. Wednesday, in Figaroscope, Emmanuel Rubin reviewed five places: the photo, lead and ¾ hearts went to Les Cocottes, coordinates see above, where he liked the Cesar salad, verrine of tuna, eggplant caviar and tomato gelee, cocotte of pigeon with petits pois and egg flan; three places got one heart only: Le Framboisy, 16, rue Charlemagne in the 4th, 01.42.72.14.16, closed Sundays, menu=12.90, a la carte 20-30 €, for Jura charcuteries and a bavette with petits pois that failed; the Mexican/Honduran/Laotian Aux Couleurs du Monde, 118, rue Truffaut in the 17th, closed lunch and Mondays and the sushi/etc Wasabi, 89 rue de la Croix Nivert in the 15th, closed Sundays; and finally a busted heart to Studio 54 in the 4th. Then there was an article that linked films with restos where they were shot: The bistrots that signal Paris l’Escargot Montorgueil Irma la Douce l’Absinthe On connait la chanson/Same Old Song Casa Olympe Le Derriere Le Square Trousseau Rire et Chatiment/Laughter and Punishment Vieux Chene Une vie a t’attendre/Une vie a t’attendre Pitchi Pois Prete-moi ta main/Rent a Wife The hip-chic l’Etoile La verite si je mens 2/Would I Lie To You? Bound le Mathis Le Derriere Le Telegraphe La Buche/ China Club Le Roman de Lulu & Vertiges de l’amour/Love Vertigo Brasseries that fill your view La Coupole Ensemble, tout va bien, La Boum/The Party + Monsieur Klein/Mr. Klein Balzar La Boum 2/The Party 2 Grand Colbert Tout peut arriver/Don’t be blue Chartier Un long dimanche de fiancailles/A Very Long Engagement Le Train bleu Place Vendome + Nikita Cafes with atmosphere Café des 2 Moulins Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain/Amelie Cave La Bourgogne Mensonges et trahisons et plus si affinites/The Story of My Life & Munich Pause Café Chacun cherche son chat/When the Cat's Away Au Soleil de la Butte l’Auberge Espagnole/The Spanish Apartment Star Tables Ledoyen Pret-a-porter/Ready to Wear Jules Verne Dangereusement votre/A view to a kill 59 Poincare Tanguy Le Grand Vefour Lacenaire/The Elegant Criminal Lasserre Garcon/Waiter Mythic places for cult film folk Laperouse Quai des Orfevres l’Hotel du Nord l’Hotel du Nord Le Flore La Maman et la Putain/The Mother and the Whore Les Deux Magots Les Tricheurs/The Cheats Le Select A bout de souffle/Breathless Le Closerie des Lilas Vieux Fusil/The Old Gun + Vengeance One by One And Francois Simon, selected Bar des Theatres immortalized in Fauteuils d’Orchestre /Avenue Montaigne (US) for his Haché menu, where he says certainly do not go (132.30 €.) On Friday, Simon in his « Croque Notes » featured Alain Chapel of Mionnay. In this month’s WHERE, Alexander Lobrano positively reviews August, La Cantine de Quentin, La Fontaine de Mars, Le Cafe de Medicis at the Luxembourg Museum, l’Escargot Montorgueil + Meridien Hotel for brunch. Saturday/Sunday, BP published an article by Margaret Kemp on the resto Le Mood and one by John Talbott on "Slate is the new Plate." Sunday, in JDD, Frederic Raspiller of le Trou Gascon in the 12th picked as his favorite places for under 35 euros: the Huitrerie Regis + Le Clocher Pereire. In addition Astrid T’Seclaes in their Version femina lauded Gilles Choukroun’s world food-type Mini Palais at the Grand Palais and Le Café de l’Homme at the Museum of the same name. Please post comments here and not in the Digest thread.

Well, based on our meal at Les Tourelles in Le Crotoy, the guide was unhelpful; they need a new symbol for "avoid like the plague." I'll be posting my report ASAP.

Whoops, Pierre45 just ate there and had a bad meal, he'll be posting the review soon. So I'm scrubbing it for my gang for today unless I hear something more positive.

Yes for all buildings but bars & restos, no until I think January 2008 for them. But we've found more & more places say they are no smoking this summer. Indeed at Villaret the patron told us hardly anyone smokes anymore and quoted some data about differences by sex and age.