raisab

I tried Labeyrie today at Auchan, even though I liked it, I purchased Auchan's house brand. It was a difference f 12 euros for 350 grams, While my palate my not be as refined as someone who eats Foie Gras daily, the difference was barely disernable. Now can someone tell me where I can buy a female Bouledog Francaise before Christmas day here in Paris? PM me if you really do know.

Small and intimate? Does that mean romantic? Or just having a conversation with the person at your table? Does the food have to be great? How about these...Les Amognes, Le Coupe Chou, Le Petite Prince de Paris.

I am going back to Miami for Thanksgiving as I do every year. ANd as I do every year, I check the Florida forum for new and exciting restaurants. And like every year, there is nothing....Just this thread about it being a culinary wasteland. I hold by my impressions (as a native Floridian) it is all Flash, with no substance.

This is awful indeed. I was thinking we would just have to check the wine in. The good news...the belly on the airplane is much colder. But is is just sad that this is what our world has come to....

I am also surprised at Paul's friends comments. I always advise my friends to stay away from touristy places. I am not saying that is where they went, but as Busboy stated above, it is amazing the price/quality ratio in France compared to a meal in the US. I will generalize here but in a good way. I believe the French have been brought up to appreciate food for its quality as opposed to it's quantity. I find that there is a national pride (for the most part) in the food and wine. It certainly shows. I am sure there are quite a few places that cater to the tourist that aren't loyal to this pride, but if you educate yourself before going you won't be disappointed.

I also had a heck of a time cutting the snickery squares. The chocolate cracked in places it wasn't supposed to. I used good chocolate..70% cocoa bittersweet so maybe there is some trick to getting them to cut like the ones in the book? They were very rich but they went qucikly at the picnic I brought them to. For my own tastes I would use some sort of milk chocolate the next time.I also made the Peanutiest Blondies. I doubled the recipe and baked them in different size bake pans. So the testure was not as dry as the ones in the book. No problem though, these also flew at the picnic. Everyone loved them.

I think some great suggestions have made up here. Do give them the ultimatum if you haven't quit already. If they truly need you they will bend, and if the husband is bright enough he will grow some balls at this point. If not, do tell them about the recipes. Hopefully her pride will not let her accept them. I would put the old ones back in the book and offer them your tweked ones separately. But YOU are the one who needs to do something and now.

I guess I was expecting a more sugary coating. I just finished assembling the cookies. My son came home and said "hey, you made Cracker Jacks' peanuts". So I guess I made them right. I will report back on the taste, though I made my own dulce de leche from sweetened condensed milk.

Okay, I am having a hard time with one of the recipes. The Snickery Sqaures. I have tried coating the peanuts with the amount of sugar syrup but it is nowhere near enough! They are about 1/3 coated. Dorie if you are reading this, are the measurements correct in the book? 1/3 cup sugar to 3 T water and 1 1/2 cups peanuts? Help, anyone please!

This Noël we will be spending in Paris. My son would like to go to Mont Saint Michel. Does anyone know where I should stay, where should I eat? I know it is touristy, but I want off the beaten track si cela est possible.

If you are quoting me on here, you have misunderstood. The equality for all statement I made is that different jusrisdictions will all have the same laws, so that is where everything will be equal.I am excited that this is coming about. For one, I think the aromas and tastes of the food will certainy be enhanced due to the lack of cigarette smoke.

I spoke with Juan and Drew when they imposed the ban on their restaurant and the staff was a concern in regards to it. It certainly has not suffered one bit from the ban. I am actually looking forward to this. I only wish it was sooner. Occasionaly I would have to put the evening's clothing out on the balcony in order to get a good night sleep in my apartments! Edited by Raisab and John Talbott for content and errant html symbol respectively.

I Have seen smoking in shops and it shocked me! Especially on Rue St. Honore where some of the clothes are quite expensive! Can you imagine buying a 1200 euro pair of pants that smelled of cigarettes? Yes 2008 is far off. Will the populace protest this as time comes closer? Is it something that is being spoken about? Or is it a fait accompli? Here in Washington there were all sorts of protests. basically to no avail. This may sound strange, even though I hate the smell of cigarettes, I grew to like it in Paris. Maybe less filters? I don't know...but it will certainly by a different experiemce for the senses once the law takes effect.

... and haven't the people in the United States been accepting smoking bans with compliant good humor? ← Hmm...I am not quite sure of the point here. In the US there are two distinct warring factions. La différance is that even though smoking may be outlawed in Washington DC, all you have to do is cross the Potomac (200 feet) and you are able to smoke in restaurants in Virginia. (Just an example). I don't believe the government should get involved. (Even though I dislike cigarette smoke.) What was the reasoning for the government's decision on this ban? Is there enough of a majority of patrons who complain about it? (Besides the Americains! ) Will it be enforced? Will there be protests? Inquring minds want to know!

I just read in Le Figaro where a smoking ban takes effect on 1 Feb 2007 in public places (stores, schools, etc) and restaurants and bars on 1 January 2008. I never thought I would see this happen. What is the reaction in France? I am not one who favors government regulation when it comes to private businesses, especially here in the US where states, cities and municipalities are autonomous and laws vary from mile to mile. But I can't say I am completely dissapointed about this smoking ban, as it is 'l'égalité pour tous' . Any comments? (John, if this is already discussed elsewhere, please merge. Merci bien.)

Lucy, Thank you! (I had no idea.) Is it the Pate Feuillete (sp?) that they sell? That is what I mainly buy as it is so labor intensive to make.

At the risk of sounding lazy....have you tried the Marie brand pates at the grocery store? The pur beurre ones? I bring those back with me whenever I can. I think they are great and so much easier than making from scratch. I have about a dozen in the freezer at the moment, does anyone know if they keep.

The only reason rice cereal is introduced first is because very few humans are allergic to rice. Bit of advice: even though you may give your baby all these wonderful home prepared foods (I did), once they make up their mind that they don't like something, it may take at least 17 years for them to actually try it again!

Can we give a partial list? Bistro: Le Troquet Cheese Shop: La Fromagerie Boursault (14th} Market: Saturday market in Beaune One Star Michelin: Auberge Relais (Reuilly)

I have a truly embarrasing story to tell. On this last trip the loads were light so I was bringing my 13 year old daughter with me. We got to the airport where she checked in by herself and got a seat. We met up at security, walked to the front of the line (slight perk), I help up my ID and then I screamed! Instead of placing my airline id around my neck, I had placed my marina parking pass on! It was rush h0ur and there was no way to go back home and get my id! Usually it would be no problem to travel without it as long as I had a company letter verifying employment, but with the latest terrorist threat in London, this option has been eliminated. So I missed my trip, I missed my dinner, and I missed Paris. The worst part is, I forgot to cancel my reservation! I would normally never forget to do this but I was so flustered that it completely slipped my mind! (this was a $2000 mistake I made!) The good news is, I am spending Christmas in Paris. I need new ideas to fill that week!

Merci a Dieu pour le rentree! Papilles opened today, I have made reservations for tomorrow. I am bringing my daughter with me on this trip, so it will be a girls night out. Boy she has a good life!

6:30 in the evening? I did not know any restaurant was opened at that time in Paris! Would 21:00 be an acceptable time at L'Atelier also?

Try the Canal St Martin for people watching. It is off the tourist path for the most part and fun to sit and watch life going by. I think John's advice of eating lunch out and dinner in is great. You will be able to get reservations at nicer places for a sweeter price. It is one of the few times you may be able to snag a table at Le Comptoir. It is very hard to gain weight in Paris. I usually don't even take the bus. I arm myself with a map and just walk. Even if you get lost, there is never a metro very far away. Have a wonderful time, Paris is the most wonderful city in the world.

ShortList: L'Atelier et Les Papilles. I have walked by L'Atelier countless times, do I need a reservation? If I am by myself I will go L'Atelier, if I can convince one of my coworkers we will go to Les Papilles, reservations willing. John, I LOVE your new picture!

For those of you who know me, I will start flying within the US as of Setember 1st. Family obligations are forcing me to stay closer to home. My Last trip to Paris (with work) will be August 26th. My dilemna: If you had to choose a restaurant that is not Haute and within the perpherique for a final meal , where would you go? I want to have fun. Please let me know your thoughts. A good friend has mentioned some excellent choices, but I need more!