fresh_a

I don't know what everyone's work situation is, but a dedicated concierge is one who is, first and foremost, completely to his clients. If he does other stuff on his off-time, then fine. I know concierges who are currently in the employ of clients they met in their respective hotels, but this is pretty rare.

Try Flora Mikula's new place, "Flora", on the avenue George V

Illness is rare in quality establishments. Sometimes people get indigestion after especially rich or unfamiliar food, but that's about it. The American Hospital in Neuilly sur Seine is excellent. Otherwise SOS Medecins offers 24/7 emergency service, and even the paris firemen (pompiers) intervene in emergency situations Try EasyEverything , rue de la Harpe or bd Sebastapol on the Left bank. In the 8th, there is the Vivendi Cafe near the Etoile

I guess this could happen...but I've never heard of it... I have heard of concierges leaving the employ of their hotel to set up their own concierge or consultancy businesses, but never while still working at the hotel.... concierges may often render services to clients not resident or formerly resident in the hotel , or help them in other ways...finding housing, buying a car, business,etc

Eric Beaumard, manager of "Le Cinq" in the Four Seasons Hotel George V has a lame arm, which he is completely unable to use, and has still become the Vice Champion Sommelier in the world. He originally wanted to be a chef, but a motorcycle accident put an end to his dreams. Then again, maybe it was fate...

That would be the "Bar Montaigne", designed by a former collaborator of Philippe Starck. It's very cool, with 19th century gold leafing, and a giant ice'cube like bar, and lots of design, low-hung lights and supermodern cubby-holes. Lots of model action, and good barmen! Otherwise they have a tea-room, before the entrance of the bar.

This is very often the case. Although in some establishments, the Concierge is completely independent , and free to to take care of their guests

Sounds like they really are consistent..in providing bad service!

I would be intrerested in hearing about eGullet member experiences with the various "concierge" services that exist throughout the world, Amex Concierge (platinum or black), "Les Concierges",etc. I have had, personally , less than satisfactory experiences with their knowledge in general, and have the impression that they let a lot of concierges based in luxury hotels do all the work for them, then take the credit in front of the client.... Could this be true? Any other experiences?

Check out the new restaurant by the owners of La Maison d'Aubrac, "Devez" at the place de l'Alma... it's a sort of contemporary Aubrac, with tartare, burgers, and beef in all its forms.

Cool, as in interesting people... but I'm just surprised sometimes that a small percentage of highly educated, supposedly well-mannered and cultured people can act so badly... Normally I have no problems...it's just that when I do...

Speaking of great PA restaurants , I still remember my parents taking me to a restaurant, where, although it was part of a chain of family-oriented eateries, and the dark-lit dining room's Victorian-dressed, busty waitresses were certainly pleasant to my pre-adolescent gaze, the name still escapes me... Red Baron? My first taste of lobster and hot butter sauce. And those waitresses!

When I was there, the service seemed rushed and haphazard...

Interesting that in France, a country with some really great meat, one can never find a decent burger. The best I've found is at "Annette's Diner", in Disneyland Resort Paris. Pathetic, I know, but I haven't found anything comparable elsewhere. The new meat restaurant "Devez" (by the owners of the "Aubrac") apparently has a great one, though..

And is VT interested in material from very knowledgable sources (ie me!)

I guess there are multiple reasons...some of the bad are:speaking immediately in English without trying any French at all, or even hazarding to ask if the person spoken to speaks English... Lack of manners is a problem as well....all day long at work I have clients coming, and in response to my "Bonjour", immediately say "Question....", or "I need....", or "Do you have..". Very rude indeed. Maybe they don't realize it though... Otherwise, I have other clients who try to speak French, who apologize for their lack of French, who are understanding, want to discover, are knowledgable already, have lived here,etcetc But, yes, sorry to say, Americans have an irritant-factor higher in intensity than other nationalities, they are also the coolest clients.... a country of contradictions..

Although I read pretty much every food magazine and website I can sink my teeth into, I'm still waiting for the ultimate food magazine, for true fanatics like us...

Or the Auberge Pyrenees-Cevennes, a big favorite with mrs. Wells... they have a great cassoulet!

The general age range is probably from the mid-to-late 20's to the late 60's ... although we have had older and younger.... Most of the time the starred-ones frown on children coming to dine as they are not particularly appreciative or able to appreciate top level gastronomic cuisine (although I have seen some that are!), and also because they can't sit still for three hours! We arrange babysitting often. Again, concerning old aged people, each case is different....If you're a multi-billionaire who have your bodyguard and driver following you everywhere, you never have too much discomfort

I don't deal with people on a "nationality" basis... everyone is different, and I've had nice and less-than-nice people from all walks of life...from my experience (speaking as an American myself), my best and worst experiences have been with Americans... I take each person on a one-on-one basis..

The clients I have love what you'd call the "good life", they like to eat,drink and be merry..although some like the vegetarian specials, and not much red meat, most of them love food.... This is one of the main reasons, apart from shopping and museums , that people come for

Speaking of L'Ami Louis: Although the food is top notch, the owner is crazy, and the place is full of loud, rich Americans, so it's not a real "French" ambience

The answer to this questions is: it depends. But, in general, we get a lot of couples, well-educated, widely travelled married couples , who know fine dining, and like a mix of starred-restaurants, bistros, and trendy places... These are mostly people on vacation, but, that also depends, for example, at this moment, everyone is related to the fashion industry, as it is the Haute Couture week....

The name has changed. The deco is more sombre, and, in my opinion, better. The cuisine I haven't sampled since this "change" , but I imagine it is the same, or better, and the name is "Les Boucquinistes", which is indeed the name for the quai-side book-stalls...

Try "Les Magnolias" in a suburb about 25 minutes outside of Paris. The town's not pretty, it's next to an old Renault garage, but, man, this guy can cook! (just got their first Michelin star,too!)