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Christian Constant has taken over the Auberge Papinou, in the Paris suburb of Neuilly.The decoration is French pre-war, and serves classic dishes such as escargots and giant-size steaks with homemade pomme-frites. Auberge Papinou 6 R. du Château, Neuilly sur Seine tel: 01-55-24-90-40

All I've heard is that the cuisine is described as being "open", which probably means that our Atelier-like ideas may be well-founded. When I get more news, I'll let you know.

More news on the new Dutournier restaurant. Pinxo, as it is called, is a new concept restaurant located in the new Plaza paris Vendome hotel, decoration by Rochon and Bali, with an open-view kitchen and a new culinary concept called "pinxer" , which means apparently in slang, to catch something rapidly with a pinching motion. They open this week! 9, rue d’Alger (1e), M° Tuileries. Tél. : 01.40.20.72.00 As for the Vigato/Besson vehicle, it will be located on the rue d'Artois, a couple streets behind the Champs Elysees, and apparently Luc will no longer be involved in the project. Work on the restaurant is apparently taking much longer than expected, as well.

Back to the subject... I spoke with a friend who works chez Gagnaire here in Paris, who told me that Gagnaire was really surprised and a little upset that he was the only one speaking up, and that his confreres remained silent.

and let's remember that lots of cutting-edge, well-financed establishments (like many Michelin three-stars here in Europe) make no profit whatsoever, and depend on other, more popular, crowd-pleasing baby-bistros to help them bring in the bacon (Guy Savoy's bistro empire, Michel Rostang's "Bistro d'a Cote", etc). Does the same happen in the US?

Found it! FOOD, 58, rue Charlot, 75003 Paris, tél. : 01 42 72 68 97. Fax : 01 42 72 68 78 E-Mail : food@wanadoo.fr Open from 11H to 13 H and from 14H to 19H. Saturdays from 14 H à 19 H. Closed Sundays and Mondays

As far as I know, it's an export-only marketing concoction. It doesn't exist here in France, its native country...

Bux- Kong is brand new on top of the old Samaritaine building that straddles the rue du Pont Neuf, it's been renovated for the last couple of years, it is not the "Toupary" which is Samaritaines restaurant overlooking the Seine, which has been there for years. Kong is designed by Philippe Starck, and owned by Laurent Taieb of "Lo Sushi" fame. There's a "Lo Sushi II" in the basement as well. I've heard good and bad, but it is a trendy restaurant, so the food is not up to our level!

I think that they think some basic French classics have been put along the wayside, and that the dishes have been sort of "validated" again with the great produce and touch that Constant has in his other gastronomic pursuits...then again, they did like Kong in the same issue...

Marius et Jeanette seem to be going downhill lately. A lot of my (very discerning clients) prefer to go to other establishments like Goumard and La Maree, because they find M&J's food mediocre and the service unfriendly. can't say I blame them... As for the Vigato/Luc Besson thing, i think it'll be more along the lines of a trendy restaurant, more than a gastronomic one.

I like the Absinthe Snapple, although the Laudanam Snapple comes a close second..

True, Mexican food simply does not exist in Paris. I've been to a few of the so-called best Mexican restaurants here, one known for having the "Best Chili in Europe", and it was simply dreadful, and the funny thing was, when asking about the owner's origins, I was told she was Polish!

The Cafe Constant has been getting quite a few good reviews this week in the French press. Here are a few quotes from a Figaroscope article, as translated by yours truly: "Christian Constant was right in investing in this annex...here you find pleasure in classics such as Salad Nicoise,Oeufs Mimosa, Escalope Cordon Bleu, Filet of Beef in Peppersauce...one can also eat light fare, such as Carpaccio of Tuna-fish, Rocket Salad, Cold Salmon, Macedoine of Vegetables...It's the talent of the chef to revive such classics, too long forgotten, and to prove to us, by the quality of the dish, that they are still valid today" Think I'll pop by tomorrow after work for a drink!

What's a "kn", and how much is it in other currencies?

Not that I'm the great defender of the SNCF or anything, but wouldn't you have lost out if you arrived to the airport, and forgot your airline tickets? You would have been obliged to pay another ticket as well, unless you have an e-ticket. Another thing is that the SNCF reservation system in not nominative, meaning that the reservation code they give you is the only way to identify a person with a reservation..

I've always found the SNCF website to be helpful, and the telephone service good, if sometimes overloaded. Concerning the comparison with Easyjet, to get the 30 Euros r/t to Nice, I'm afraid you'll have to book VERY far in advance, whereas on the SNCF website, some very good deals indeed may be found.

I didn't say it was good, just how it's being described....I guess they refer to the Ibiza of years ago when the avant-gaard bohemian travellers discovered the isle, and before the rave-party invasion. Then again, I've never been there, and have never been inclined to go..

Please post everything! I've been hearing so much about how Croatia is so hip, the new Ibiza,etc etc, and have been invited by a client, so I'll be checking it out soon. How expensive was the trip (dining,accomodation,etc)?

Have you all checked out this thread concerning Lizzie's disaster meal at El Bulli? Interesting read.

A few days ago I read an article on a new trendy "foodie" bookstore in Paris, in the 10th or 11th, called "Food", but I'm unable to find their address or contact number. Anyone been there or know anything about it?

Yeah, some of these guys are seriously hardcore!

I'm in!

Arriba arriba!

So?

Big checks buy everyone...