raisab

We are all crawling out of the woodworks to payout respect, I wish we had done it sooner. Thank you Steven and Jason for this site...it opened up a new world for me.

Trout, those pictures are really beautiful! I just bought the book and am amassing claypots . I have all of Paula's other books and this one looks even better as the recipe's are simpler...either that or I am just used to her awesome methods by now!

I have friends that are going to Paris over the New Years holidays. I have been there quite a few times at New Years but always with friends and family. They are a couple. Can someone recommend somewhere they can go as a couple that will not be touristy, yet give them that festive Parisian feel? They want to try and keep the evening at 200-225 euros...so my suggestion of Le Meurice is out.... Residents...any sugestions, svp? Merci bien!

John, Thank you! You have been so helpful to me everytime I am in Paris! (and I am here now!). Your service has been so appreciated! Please tell that you will still be posting though! Thank you again friend! Raisa

Well I think I can answer my own question! It was La Fontaine de Mars, owner Jacques Boudon! I wonder if the restaurant will get the same business (at least from Americans) that follows the Obamas here in the US?

Decidedly, I have gone un petite peu romantique, (je pense?), I will be at Chez Lena et Mimile. A certain moderator on this board raved about it earlier in the year....and he has not let me down yet. I do not know if they have a special menu that night or not...I can certainly ask the question and be understood, but then the person thinks I comprehend as well and it is all down hill from there! If anyone knows...please pass on the information to me...

John, do you mean Le Clocher Pereire or Au Clocher Montmartre? I imagine Ze is Kitchen Galerie....

You know what, I am in the same dilemna. I will be in Paris for Valentine but I do not want an inflated menu. I think it would be foolish to inflate it too much with the economy the way it is! I will try a few bistros, make a reservation and then advise you where I called.

We eat this meal often at our house on Sundays...It is a result of being too busy and yet too tired to plan a formal meal...It can include wines, juices coffee, tea,and sodas. Breads, pancakes, pasta, cheeses, filet mignon, fruits, sausages, eggs, tarts, salads....and every dessert under the sun. We have been calling it "brelunner" at my place. It is easier than saying "Be quiet I kow you had no beakfast and lunch is a few hours past and it is too early for dinner, so eat and eat hearty as that is your meal for the day!

Thank you all.... Felice. I went to Les Papilles on my last trip. The menu is 32 euros, but even at the dismal exchange rate is a great value. It had been too long since I had a dinner like that. The only dissapointing part is that you have to purchase an entire bottle of wine. I had him choose for me after giving him a price (25 euro). The wine was a decent Cote du Rhone, but the nice gentlemen at the table next to mine also shared their wine with me, the name was Chateau Talbot. Besides the very appropo name (though ahem ... mispelled), THAT wine was very, very good.

Thanks for all the advice! I am in Paris right now...staying an extra night due to flight cancellation. Last nights dinner was horrendous, it was Day of the Ascension and every restaurant I tried was closed. I ended up eating at some non-descript place on Edgar Quinet...... I do not have the ability to go out of town when I am here, and there is no "expense" account,, just a poor per diem. Thank you for the names Mr. Talbott, there are some new ones on there I must try.

As I head back to my travels to Paris, how I wish I had bought Euros 2 years ago! The meals which were such a bargain at $30-35 plus wine ($15-20) may not taste as good at $44-52 ($23-30). Are there any restaurants which offer great price/value? Any menus at 20-25 euros? Am I destined to eat only at the occasional restaurant, supping in my room with cheese and bread? (I know there are worse things! ) Any suggestions?

Hello! I haven't been there since December, but you should not be dissapointed. We were a table of 5 and had the 90 euro menu and it was pretty fantastic. No, what you see online is not what you will get. Their menu changes with the market, so it will be great regardless!

Bump! With the ETA announcing the end of their cease fire as of today, does this change anything for the Basque region? I am arriving on Sunday, (Bilbao), what is the significance? Do they still bomb their own? Do they announce what areas to avoid? I have been to Spain a few times and have never let it influence me before, but reading this thread makes me wonder! Edited to add, I just noticed this thread was in the wines section, maybe it should be in Spain section?

Though Felice and John are more knowledgable than I am, I think a fun place, that won't be too intimidating is Fish. A small restaurant on Rue de Seine owned and run by a charming New Zealander (Drew), and a handsome Cuban-American (Juan) who also owns the wineshop around the corner, La Dernier Goute. Any of the wines on the menu you can buy at the wineshop dutyfree and have delivered to your hotel, packed for shipping. You can sit at the bar and sample, they will give you tastes, and have a wonderful evening with great food to boot.