menton1

Silly-- I don't think it's ever been said that sugar causes Cancer or Heart Disease; you might be referring to the indirect aspect of sugar consumption that can cause obesity and hence lead to health problems-- but this is not nearly analogous to the harm caused DIRECTLY by cigarette smoke.... I think the hard core are now dreading the winter-- standing out in the cold, puffing away.....

You are a party pooper, you don't realize how lucky you are to live in the most exciting city in the world!! Perhaps you should consider a relocation to the "Campagne", plenty of parking!!

So how were the "Nuits Blanches" last Saturday? Any good tales?

One thing you notice right away is that the French have a lot more patience than Americans do. Here, if we wait more than 90 seconds, either on a line or at a store, we go bonkers. We have often been amazed while on a long queue at a supermarket where the patron starts a long, personal conversation with the cashier, holding up the line; we get edgy, but all the people on line just stand there, no fidgeting, patiently waiting!! This is also probably a factor in the high longevity figures in France

The hotel tariffs in Venice are roughly double the rates of anywhere else in Italy-- and Italy hotels are about 25% higher than their French counterparts. Also, be advised that the * rating system in Italy for hotels is notoriously unreliable-- many 3 star places can be a lot nicer than some 4 star hotels!!

I noticed this year there were more and more internet cafes in Paris, seems almost 1 on every block-- found the connections to be fast and reliable mostly-- The only thing I hated was the different French keyboards-- finding the "@" symbol is a real adventure!!

I might as well double the rate, and stay at Danieli (sp?)

Pete, thanks for the report. We just got back from 3 weeks in France, so we will have to retain these notes for next year. We coincidentally spent the better part of one day in Chinon and loved it. We hadn't been to the Loire Valley in 18 years, so it was very interesting. A lot flatter than the South of France, but the gentle landscape and pretty farms are very beautiful as well. Interesting how the river Vienne at Chinon is quite dry, as most of France is in a drought, unlike here in NJ where we have had too much rain; Walking along the quayside in Chinon, and walking through the streets of the old town was very nice. Did you get up to the castle (part in ruins) on top of Chinon? That was fabulous, a lot of intrigue as to how Jeanne d'Arc recognized the King who dressed as a peasant when she came by-- I think that was Charles IV (?) Great view from up there as well. We only did lunch at a place on a beautiful square in Chinon, quite nice but not very memorable. Thanks again for the very informative info. A tout a l'heure!

Louisa, you're killing me-- always something fun happening in Paris-- here in NJ it seems pretty dull by comparison-- I also miss the 2 hours + dinners. Here they think good service is to get you out in 1 hour! Have fun, bisous to Karli. Is Bux having a réunion with the Paris Egulleteers?

Frankly, this really is not an area for culinary delights. A lot of the restaurants around serve large quantities of "comfort food", turkey with dressing, prime rib, all-american with little creativity. The best thing to do is try to get a dinner at the home of an Amish family. You will sit at a community table with about 15 people, be able to chat with strangers, and get a home-cooked interesting meal. Most of them do not advertise, you have to get their names from the Tourist Board in Lancaster. We did this a few years ago with a person nbamed Deedee Meyers, but I understand she no longer does them. But they still go on, and this is probably the best bet for an interesting meal and experience.

Yes, I agree. Bergen County is so over-developed now, finding a space suitable for Wegman's is probably nearly impossible. I have the feeling they are looking, but it will take luck and real estate creativity to find something appropriate for them. I'm sure they would want quite a large space, a lot of parking, and that just doesn't exist in Bergen. Good news about Wayne, though-- that is within striking distance, at least...

Bon voyage!! You might consider taking some Melatonin-- This weekend is their annual "Nuits Blanches", or sleepless nights!! Arts and music on the streets all night, and the subways and buses run all night!! Jealous!! Always something great going on in Paris!!

Was watching Food TV's "Best Of" last night, and caught a glimpse of a place called Peasant, on Elizabeth Street near Houston Street. Looked great!! The chef only has a retro oven, all brick, using only wood, where he cooks everything. (He does have a gas stovetop, though) The food looked spectacular and simple, a lot like the food in Italy. It seems he had also been visited by some Mega-Chefs, like Ducasse and Bocuse, and had passed their muster. I can't wait to try this place next time I have the opportunity; Why hasn't this restaurant gotten more play in the media and on eG? It seems quite unique and authentic, and worthy of discussion!! Anyone been there?

As tourists in France, we always have fun at the supermarkets. Their hypermarches are unbelievable. We thought we saw the best last year when we stumbled upon an Hyper U in Pertuis. This year, we found a Carrefour on the outskirts on Nice that takes the cake. It had about 75 aisles, selling everything and anything. The workers are, unsurprisingly, on rollerblades. A beautiful place. If this is not enough, there are about 80 more stores in the complex as concessions, selling more things, food courts, etc. The French CD selection is good, french music is difficult to get in the US; it is also fascinating to look at the way their products are packaged, merchandised, and the different styles of items-- we got some wine bottle closers that pump the air out, we got some plastic "boules" that you put in the freezer, use them like ice in drinks except they do not dilute the drink!! Also some ice cube plastic bags that you fill up and use instead of ice trays.... Cheeses are fun, not as high quality as a cheese shop, and the saucisson selection is terrific. (Bring Tums) The only weird thing about these mega-stores are the parking lots-- they do not build adequate parking lots for the size of the store and the traffic they bring. People are parked caddy-corner, every which way, it's a maze to find your way, and the cars there are a lot smaller than American cars!! Very odd!! Does anyone else feel the way we do about shopping in supermarkets while on vacation? Any good Supermarket stories?

I have found the Tenafly Farm Market to have so-so vegetables, horrible fruit, and fairly low prices (so what). Also, if you go in the winter, you will notice the cashiers all wearing their heavy coats, hats and gloves because they never turn on the heat in the place!! Makes you shop quickly, and I have never gone back....

That could be why Jerry has done little to clean up the place... Jason, when I'm buying food, atmosphere and cleanliness is an important consideration!! (I don't want paint chips in my food!) Many stores spend millions to make their place attractive-- it's the presentation as well as the food... Next time you are at Jerry's, look up at the ceiling and see if it puts you off as well...

Jerry's is certainly a good place, sort of a NY store in NJ, with a lot of unique things. The only gripe I have is that, with all the millions in business he seems to do, can't he spruce up the place a bit? The paint is peeling, and the ceiling tiles are cracked, discolored, and falling down!!! (Hopefully, not into the food)

Doc-- the only issue I have is RailEurope-- they are a rip-off and have very incomplete schedules. It is quick and easy to go righ to the station and buy the tickets on the spot, no reservations necessary, trains between these major routes are at least 2x/hour. For complete info and the lowest prices go right to the FS site: (In English) Ferrovie dello Stato Site

1/ A car in Florence is a very bad idea. You could FS from Firenze-Rome; (only 2 hours) 2/ While Bologna is a nice place, it doesn't belong on a first time in Italy trip. Siena would be a better choice. Il Campo is very unique, as well as the Duomo. 3/ Instead of driving between large cities, use the car to drive around Tuscany and overnight in Siena and/or San Gimignano 4/ You might consider reversing your itinerary-- Venice is a wonderful place to end a trip, rather than begin one-- it is much more overwhelming and dramatic than the other cities, especially seeing it for the first time.

Since there was so much discussion about Nova vs. AutoEurope and since I instigated the discussion, I decided to test the 2 sites-- I used a 2 week period from 11/3 to 11/17, the least expensive car, city pickup in Florence, city dropoff in Rome. Nova was 462 Euros, Auto Europe was $464 US. I have only used Nova in France, so I did another test, the same 2 week period, city pickup in Nice, and city dropoff in Lyon. In France, there was a significant difference-- Nova was 330 Euros, Auto Europe was $440US. Also take into account that Nova INCLUDES the collision damage waiver, with Auto Europe it's $12/day, or a lot of paperwork with Visa if you have an accident, and decline the CDW. Lessons learned: It's a lot more expensive to rent in Italy than France. I also had a problem with Auto Europe a couple of years ago because they quote their rates in dollars, and upon turn in, there was a dispute with the Rental Car Company as to the amount actually owed in Euros. It was a real pain in the neck-- they should quote the rates in Euros so there is no room for discussion-- Nova quotes in Euros. Hope this was helpful, if not a bit wordy.

I think you mean "The Restaurant"

Thanks, Busboy-- glad you enjoyed Nice-- it is a truly lovely place and of course, Villefranche is a place out of a movie set. Did you get to sample some of 'the Nicois fast food; e.g. Socca, Pan Bagnat, Pissaladiere-- hope you did-- these are special things originating and indigenous to Nice. I never saw the olive oil placer by La Merenda-- the most famous one is Alziari, 2 blocks down, a really authentic and atmospheric place, and the oil is great-- after carrying it back a couple of years ago, we found it in Citarella in NYC for only a little higher price!! I can't wait to get back to the Riviera myself-- have to wait until next year! N.B. RobertBrown-- Robert, did you see the sparkling review of L'Univers? I have heard good things about it myself, will have to try it next time.

Yes, I found this web-surfing last spring while checking the usual Hertz, Avis, and Auto Europe. One year I got shortchanged with Auto Europe because they quote in dollars then when you pay at the turn in office they give you a song and a dance with the exchange to local currency--(back then it was Francs) This place, Nova, was great-- and they charged me exactly what they quoted, no monkey business, the car was almost brand-new, and the rate included that usually-expensive Collision Damage-- Glad it worked out for you!! (I only paid 305 Euro for a 13 day rental in France, pickup in Nice, drop off in Lyon-- I guess Italy rates are higher? ) P.S. How about Papaya King?

The problem with insurance is that most of the time retail fires are automatically listed as "suspicious" and collecting can take a VERY long time.

Here's a good web site for your question: Gay Bars in New Jersey