Trip Report-Paris Petit Troquet Taillevent Gourman

[grace3]

Just returned from 10 days in Paris. A first timer friend joined me. I planned it with her being a first timer in mind.

Arrival evening we did Le Petit Trouquet with it being nearby and often it is what first timers expect a French restaurant to look like. She enjoyed it.

We did an oyster lunch on a very pleasant, sunny day outside in the 6th the following day and then did Le Cerisaie for dinner. Good choice.

Lunch following day at Jacquemart Andre and dinner nearby our Paris Perfect apartment at Au Petit Tonneau. Nice little spot.

Next day was strike day. We had lunch reservations at Spring. I had called the day before about a taxi...I was advised that everything would be a mess! In the morning I called Spring and asked if they had any taxi arrangements for customers. He acted like he didn't even know there was a strike!! I said I felt we should cance our reservations and hoped others would have the courtesy to call if they were not going to make it. Told him that I would catch them in the Spring!! I went to Violon d'Ingres for lunch and Catherine Constant and I had a nice catch up visit.

Following day was Taillevent..what more needs to be said! I told Phillipe and m. Vrinat that it was my friend's first visit to Paris. They did it up well...even leaving a bottle of Taillevent Cognac on the table..noi charge, of course. We did not do the 70 euro lunch..4 times that amount for us! Visitors would really be doing themselves a favor by at least doing the 70 euro lunch. I picked up a carte (menu) for it. The service would be the same..always memorable!

Next was the Au Gourmand in their new Moliere location. Very attractive place, nice owner and I had a wonderful duck who made the unwise choice of flying over southern England!!

Following day lunch at l'Obelisque at the Crillon and a local restaurant on r. Amelie, Chez Pierrot for the evening.

Next day it was off to Carte Blanche. Nice people, good dinner

Next day for lunch we tried the new Huterie Regis..only seats 14..get there early. Great! French friends drove into town and the e-gullet Laidbacks took the bus to our apt. and we had a bit of champagne, etc. and walked down to a fun evening at Violon d'Ingres. Karen Fawcett was joining us, but caught a flu bug on the plane the day before from DC. Will catch up with her in the Spring.

Last day I lunched at Jacques Cagna and the evening we dined nearby on Rapp at Le Clos des Gourmets..nice place...

A good trip, good weather..a few problems getting back, but looking forward to my April trip and working on the fall for 2008.