Felice

I went to the wine shop Legrand last Thursday night for their “Jeudis de legrand” and just loved it. They have different wine makers and artistic performances on the last Thursday evening of each month. For this past event, we tried two different wines and saw an illusionist, who was just amazing. It was a great way to spend a Thursday night. The cost is only 10€ which goes towards the artists. I have posted December’s event in the “What’s Happening” thread.

I definitely think it's worth going to, it's just not that easy to get in. I’ve tried to go twice, without success. The first time was for one of their cocktails at the Palais de Tokyo. I ended up waiting in a line that didn’t move for about a half-hour and decided that, assuming we ever got in, it would be too crowded to be any fun, so my friend and I opted for dinner instead. The next event I attempted to attend was the BBQ this summer, which I’m sure would have been a lot of fun (Pitipois posted some great photos and there was a link to them in one of the threads we had at the time). Unfortunately, just as I arrived it started to storm quite violently and I’m not very fond of lightening, so as much as I wanted to stay, I just couldn’t. I will definitely try to go one night this week, probably tomorrow night. Hopefully the cold will keep people away.

Is anyone going to attempt getting in to any of the fooding events? I may try to go one night, but I haven't had much luck in the past.

I don’t really think there is a set policy with this, and I’m sure someone French could answer this with more authority, but seeing that no has answered yet, I’ll give you my opinion. I don’t think this is something that is often done and after working in many restaurants, I can’t remember ever having this request. Not to say it’s never done though, as I’m sure it is. If I were you, I would either go to a restaurant that knows you fairly well or at least ask in advance, preferably in person, explaining that it’s a special occasion and you would like to bring a bottle you have been saving, etc. If they like you, they probably won’t have a problem with it, but if you just show up with a bottle, it might place them in an awkward position.

I don't remember seeing this mentionned yet, but perhaps I missed it. This week's Zurban mentionned that Antoine Westermann is set to take over Le Drouant. It says that it should be open by the end of this year/early 2006. Anthony Clemont, presently at Mon Vieil Ami, will be in the kitchen. Does anyone have more details?

There is a place near Odeon, on rue Saint Andre des Arts. I think it's called Melangro or something to that effect. If you walk down St. Andre des Arts towards Saint Michel it will be on the left. One of the most famous and best places to buy coffee is Verlet on rue Saint Honore in the 1st. It's a cafe as well so you can sample any of the coffees they sell.

I went to Senderens this week for lunch as well and although I enjoyed everything food wise, I did think the service seemed a bit inexperienced--not bad per se, just not really good either. My friend and I were discussing how Senderens managed to cut his prices so drastically and I wondered if a lot of his staff was now made up of stagiaires (interns) to keep costs down. He can’t cut the prices by only slashing food costs and things like rent and all that aren’t going to change, so he has to make pretty big changes as far as the staff goes.

Henry, So far they only have tasting scheduled through December 31. I'm sure I will stop by there at some point this weekend and will let you know if they are planning on continuing in January.

Yes, they are every Saturday until January I think. If you look in the events (which is up at the top of the forum) I have posted the entire schedule for November. I'll be adding December's events soon. Tell them that I sent you

Wendy, I was lucky enough to have lunch at the Bristol last week and they did have two menus, one for 75 and another for 150 I believe. The meal was amazing to say the least. I had the Poularde de Bresse cuite en vessie with vin jaune and black truffle ravioli which Molto E showed photos of and can safely say it was the most delicious chicken dish I have ever had, without a doubt. And the presentation is spectacular. My first course was Marcaroni stuffed with black truffles, artichoke and black truffles with aged parmesan, which I'm sure you can imagine was incredible as well. The service and setting are also just beautiful. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed.

Not ones that aren't known already. Le Verre Vole would be one. Maybe La Baratin. La Cave L'Os a Moelle is great, but it's definitely not unknown. I haven't been there in a while but I loved it the first time I went and have been back several times. And Raisab, you could try on Wednesday, you never know.

I just read the Saveur article as well, and Les Magnolias looks pretty amazing. A place I'd like to try, but is a bit above my budget, is Chez Jean in the 9th. Has anyone been? I've read good things. Carte: 60 euros. Or La Table du Lancaster would be in your budget. I can't comment on it though, since I haven't been.

I’ve been meaning to go to the Chapeau Melon for some time and finally got the chance to go on Saturday night. I’ve tried to reserve before, but since they only have a handful of tables they are often full. I even hesitated posting about it because it’s the kind of place you like to keep to yourself. Although I wouldn’t say it’s a place for everyone. I, however, adored it. It’s in the 19th on a little street off the blvd de Belleville. The atmosphere isn’t much really—some wine lining the shelves (it’s a wine store) and crates displaying foie gras, rillettes, cider, honey and, of course, wine. Then there are a few tables—one large table that seats about 12 and two other deuces. While we were there they had a walk-in of three and quickly brought out a folding table and seated the newcomers in the middle of the room. The menu, and that’s all that’s available, is 25 € for 5 courses—no choice. We started with two delicious raw oysters “a la japonaise” served over a bed of salt. The second course was marinated mackerel with some sort of pesto sauce that had a very subtle bit of huile d’argon, that was quite good. Third course was warm layers of eggplant, dried tomatoes and cheese. The main course was a delicious dish of lentils de Puy with sautéed foie gras and dessert was two different chevres. I was so full by then though, that we could hardly finish. The owner of the wine shop does all of the cooking himself and there was one server who was absolutely charming and very helpful with the wine. Corkage fee is only 5€ on top of the shop prices. Wines are all “natural” which is definitely big in Paris right now and from what I’ve read the owner has quite an impressive cave. The crowd was rather young and the room rather smoky, so this might be a deterrent to some. As I said, I loved it though and will definitely go back soon. Chapeau Melon Restaurant open: dinner only Wed-Sat 92 rue Rébeval, 19th Metro: Pyrenees. 01 42 02 68 60

La Dernière Goûte, a beautiful little wine shop in the 6th, has started their tasting series again where they invite two wine makers to give a tasting. It takes place every Saturday from 11h00-13:30 and again from 16:00 to 19:00. It’s a fun way to sample some really great wine and meet the wine maker. Here is the next two weeks schedule: October 29 Château Ste Anne (Bandol) Domaine les Aurelles (Coteaux du Languedoc) November 5 Domaine la Tour Vielle (Collioure, Banyuls) Clos de l’Anhel (Corbières) I will post the next two next week. They have winemakers scheduled until January.

I don't have time to post suggestions for the moment, but wanted to add that I had dinner for six at Les Papilles and they gave us a round table which was off by itself, so they can accommodate six without a problem. Also, I think—and could be wrong—that I remember seeing a table for 8 or so downstairs. Non?

Merci John, I've been waiting to buy the Omnivore guide

My pleasure I am so happy that you enjoyed it. I've been twice for dinner, but it was some time ago so I'm glad to hear it's still good.

Fish, on rue de Seine in the 6th, is open on Sunday nights. But it doesn't really fit the description of cosy. But it's a really fun place, especially if you sit at the bar. Sundays can be very busy. They have about 15 different wines by the glass, mostly from Langueduc, Roussilon and the Rhone. If you go, tell the bartender I sent you. I used to work there.

I’ve never been for lunch, but Le Baratin might fit the description of funky. It’s a very good, hip kind of bistro in the 20th, known for its wines. Also, le Verre Volé, in the 10th would fit my idea of funky and it’s just a great little place. It’s not really a “real” restaurant though, more of a wine store/wine bar. They serve tapas-style small plates that are very good, but they don’t have a full kitchen. Le Baratin 3 r. Jouye-Rouve 20th Le Verre Volé 67 rue de Lancry 10th

I'm somewhat of an expert on Les Marronniers. I rented a small room there for a month when I first arrived in Paris which was a little less than 33$ a night I think. I planned on staying there while I looked for my own apartment and ended up staying eight months. Breakfast and dinner was included in the price. It's a lovely little place run by Marie who serves a breafast of baguettes, jam, coffee, yogurt, and juice every morning. Then at 7pm all the pensioniers (spelling?) sit down for a four-course meal. We had a mix of students and long term residents. It is VERY hard, if not impossible, to get a room there. You just need to get lucky. Marie speaks a speck of English and runs a very tight ship. If you can't get a room there, there is another pension in the building, which has many more rooms but is more like a dorm, than a home and not nearly as charming as Les Marronniers. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name just now, but will see if I can find it.

Le Comptoir is definitely not Moroccan influenced at all. And for what it's worth I've been to C' amelot, Astier and Le Temps au Temps and liked them all for different reasons. C'amelot is a tiny charming bistro , which when I was there, had no selection at all, meaning you get what they are serving that night (which is how Le Comptoir works in the evenings). Luckily, there's not much I won't eat, so this is not a problem but I could see how someone would be disappointed if they didn't know this. The food, as I remember, was very good and my friends and I loved it. Astier is fun, crowded and CHEAP. They serve an enormous cheese tray so it's a nice place to sample french cheese. I don't remember the food being spectacular, but it was perfectly good and everyone left happy. And Le Temps was one of my favorite places I've been to this year. It's a tiny restaurant run by a husband and wife team, with wonderful food and for the quality of the food, very low prices.

What's restaurant week? I'm flying home to Philly for a wedding next weekend and arrive the 21st, but I don't remember "restaurant week".

I think I'm going to start my "Meal at the Bristol" savings account too... What amazing photos, thank you Molto

And to add to the list, Zurban continued its "Open this week" section this week and included: In the 13th Ourcine--mentionned here many times In the 20th La Boulangerie--pretty Menilmontant bistro

If you are in the 11th you can try La Muse Vin, a wine-store/bistro which has mostly natural wines. La Muse Vin 101 rue de Charonne The Derniere Goute should be starting their Saturday wine tastings again with the winemaker. I'll try to get the schedule.