Shira

Made a special trip to Thiebault's stand at the Avenue President Wilson market this morning, but no sign of him. As he's growing his own produce, I imagine this was just for VJ day, but does anyone have better intell? Thanks

The (in my opinion) excellent Italian gelato purveyors, Grom, have apparently opened up a summer shop in the concept store, Merci, located on the northern end of the boulevard Beaumarchais.

Looking for some recommendations for a 3 day trip next week. I like simple, bistro-style food, good but not fancy. A few questions: -Surprised by the prices at La Tupina. Is it truly spectacular? Has anyone tried the wine bar or the table d'hote at the grocery? -I like the sound of the following places. Any experience of them? Bouchon Bordelais (this seems to be different than the one John mentions above) Le Petit Commerce Le Mably La Vieux Bordeaux -Could one make lunch from oysters or other food at the Marche Grand Hommes or the Marche Capucins? Thanks!

To make a long story short, I need a restaurant to take my kosher/pescetarian (non-seafood) father to this Friday night which is in walking distance of my apartment. (I'll arrange to prepay.) Given that he's also a conservative eater, I thought Italian would provide some good choices. Here's what I know of in a 30-minute walking radius from Ledru Rollin. The place should take reservations and be at least reasonably good--doesn't need to be fancy or particularly expensive. Would be grateful for any feedback/recommendations. The northern 11th/Oberkampf area is a possibility as well, but it's not really my 'hood. Thanks, Shira Sardegna a Tavola, rue de Cotte (seems quite expensive--are the portions huge?) L'Amis de Messina, faubourg St Antoine Gli Angeli, rue St Gilles Fuxsia (the one on Francois Miron) Amicei Mei , the pizza place on rue St Sabin (don't think they take reservations, though) that Sardinian place on rue de roi de Sicilie

Just wanted to belatedly report that I took my knife to A. Simon on rue Montmarte, where I paid about 3 euros for sharpenening. They did an excellent job.

Thanks all for the responses. I do actually own a good sharpener, but after lots of years of use, I feel like it could use a bit of professional edge. I'll see what the kitchenwares stores do and report back (unless I run into a vagabond knife sharpener somewhere between the 11th and the 1st). Shira

Before the holidays, I thought it would be worthwhile to get my knife professionally sharpened. The only place I know of is near Alesia, which is absolutely the wrong side of town. Any recommendations for the Right Bank? Maybe one of the kitchenware stores--A Simon, Bovida, etc. Thanks, Shira http://www.lespetitpois.blogspot.com

Hi, I was actually the one who asked 2 years ago. So here's what I remember. 2 great meals (dinner and lunch) at Assiete du Marche, the casual, bistro off-shoot of L'Huiterie (same website family). Particularly liked the terrines in glass jars. Their fish-focused more casual restaurant, L'Ecume du Mer was also very good. Tea and cake at Meert. For breakfast, Paul is the same as elsewhere, but this is the mothership, 100 years old and v. attractive inside. Re staying, not to go off-topic, but the Hermitage Gantois is v. distinctive, though the restaurant isn't up to much.

Here's the list. They limited the samples to 3/person, and I haven't tasted mine yet, but the descriptions alone are enticing: they include eden--creme a la peche et au safran, morceaux d'abricots moulleux azur--chocolat, ganache au chocolat et au yuxu menthe fraiche inca--compote d'avocats a la banane, ganache au chocolat chocolat au lait et noix de coco chocolat au lait et the earl gry americano pampelmousse--creme au Campari et pampelmousse, morceaux de pampelmousse confit chocolat, ganache au chocolat-caramel et eclats de chocolat a la fleur de sel mandarine et baix rose satine-creme mousseline au cream cheese, compote d'oranges et fruits de la passion celeste-creme mousseline au fruit de la passion, compote de rhubarbe et fraises

Tasting everything? Here's hoping the boss is on an early train back to London... Please report if you make it. Thanks

When I was at the rue Bonaparte shop 2 weeks ago, they said there would be new flavors this March. Any news? Any tastings? Nothing on the web site yet. Thanks! Shira lespetitpois.blogspot.com

There's a place around the corner from me, Le Parti du The, on rue Faidherbe (11th), recommended by Clotilde at C& Z. I've been inside but haven't bought anything. Based on my non-expert glance, it seems to have some interesting/serious stuff, particularly, if I remember, in the Indian teas, if not in the same quantity as MF and PdT. One word of caution-the hours are slightly irregular, so perhaps best to call or pair it with a trip to the Marche d'Aligre.

Have reservations for tonite but haven't been able to find any recent reviews. In an attempt to ward off the--might i be better off eating elsewhere, I thought I'd try to gather some intell. Thanks!

Thanks for the responses! I think I am incorrectly conflating mini ovens and small convection ovens. Re the cookie sheet, perhaps the greaseproof that be cut to fit? Or silicon, which could be bent over?

I'm living in Paris, and the convection oven in my apartment doesn't work. I'd like to replace it, but before I did, I was hoping for some advice. (I've never used one before.) I'd mainly like to bake/grill fish and meat, roast chickens vegetables, make gratins, etc., though I'd ideally want the option of some simple baking as well: muffins, flatbread/pizza, etc. What kind of results can I expect? Thanks!

The convection oven in my apartment hasn't worked since I moved in, though the owner claims otherwise. I've finally resolved to buy my own, but before I did, I was hoping for some advice. Having not used one before, I hope someone can tell me: -What do they do well? I'm primarily going to want to bake/grill fish and meat, roast veggies, make gratins, etc., though I'd like the option of some low-impact baking: flatbreads, muffins, clafoutis, etc. -Are the simple ones (less than 100 euros) of reasonable quality for short-medium term use? There's a Rowenta one on sale at a little shop around the corner, and that's certainly the easiest option. I'm also space-constrained, so the mini-four size will have to do. Just to clarify, I'm posting here rather than in a general section because most of the discussions there seem to be about professional-quality convection ovens. (And I'm yet to see an American home without a conventional oven.) Thanks!

Adam Gopnick wrote about this a few years ago in the New Yorker, then in Paris to the Moon. I too had later read that the plan fell through.

I've heard good things about Le Souk, rue Keller near Bastille, but haven't made it there yet. Also Au P'tit Caouha (sp?), around the corner on Taillanders, with a branch somewhere in the 13th. I ate in Chez Omar about a year ago and wasn't amazed by the food, though the atmosphere was great.

Walked by last Thursday to discover that most of the interior was on the exterior. Dorie Greenspan mentioned in her Bon Appetit article that renovations were scheduled. Any intell on whether they'll be back before August?

I've noticed that a number of places in my neighborhood (Paul Bert, Les Temps au Temp, etc.), put up their regular menus on Saturday lunch. Any thoughts on a comparably good options that are no more than 25 euros for three courses? Useful arrondisments would include the 11th, 12th, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th. Btw, do establishments of this calibre ever take ticket restos? If so, could this apply to a Saturday lunch as well as weekdays? Happy to call and ask in specific cases, just wanted a general read. Thanks!

Somewhere in Paris, it must exist, no?

Thanks for the response! I'm actually living in France, so imagine that most everything will be consumed here (or brought to a few lucky people in the UK). I think that rather than trying to squeeze it in after work on Friday, I'll devote the better part of a weekend day to it.

Excited that I'll finally be in Paris for one of these. Any reason that I shouldn't go? Also, are there particular types of products which tend to be particularly unusual? I haven't been able to find a web site for this spring's event.

I've had good pho in Belleville (Timeout rec) and Chinatown (called Pho 14 on av de Choisy), haven't been able to get into Rouammit yet. What else is worthwhile and budget-friendly? Thanks

I'm trying to to figure out how these two cheese are differentiated in taste. Obviously the former is cow's milk, the latter sheep's milk. Is the average parmesan sweeter b/c of longer aging? Does pecorino tend to have a slightly sour quality? tx