Finalizing Paris plans...

[Bux]

'Gauche' means 'cool' right? 

They don't call it the Rive Gauche for no reason.

[tighe]

'Gauche' means 'cool' right? 

No, not right, it means left....

[menton1]

If you haven't been to visit Musee Marmottan in the 16th, I highly recommend it. It's a tiny jewel of a museum with a wonderful Impressionist collection and a room full of Monet's Water Lilies.

Another gem of a musée is the Musée Jacquemart-Andre, on Blvd. Haussmann in the 8th, slightly out of the busy area, where the Blvd becomes residential. A gorgeous mansion previously owned by a banker at the turn of the century (19th-20th) who collected a lot of 18th century French art. A wonderful place, free audiocassettes in English (or other languages) and a lovely courtyard where they serve lunch, brunch, and afternoon tea!

A hidden jewel-- don't miss it!!

Musée Jacquemart Andre Web Site

[tighe]

Good news...I stayed up late last night and played the redial lottery and was able to get a reservation at L'Astrance for Sept. 3. I also found out that although every source I've seen says that they're closed Monday's only, it sounds like they're now closed on Sunday's as well.

I have to say that I feel incredibly fortunate in that I haven't had even the slightest problem getting reservations at any place I've called. I even found out that Robuchon's L'Atelier takes reservations for the first seating at lunch and dinner despite their widely publisized 'no-reservation policy'.

[mogsob]

You can't compare Astrance to Pre Catalan. It's like comparing the Musée Jacquemart-Andre to the Marmottan. Yes, they are both museums and they both have fab art collections, but they are entirely different from each other (and DO see both).

I like Pre Catalan. There was a time a few years back that some thought it would get its third star. That never happened. The room itself is lovely -- one of the best, if not THE best, in Paris. That said, it is dull to the extreme -- no buzz, no excitement, no nothing. The food, as many have said is good, but nothing I've ate there really stands out in my mind at present.

That said, if you want a grand dining experience, you can get that a Pre Catalan. You can't at Astrance.

[tighe]

You can't compare Astrance to Pre Catalan.  It's like comparing the Musée Jacquemart-Andre to the Marmottan.  Yes, they are both museums and they both have fab art collections, but they are entirely different from each other (and DO see both).

I like Pre Catalan.  There was a time a few years back that some thought it would get its third star.  That never happened.  The room itself is lovely -- one of the best, if not THE best, in Paris.  That said, it is dull to the extreme -- no buzz, no excitement, no nothing.  The food, as many have said is good, but nothing I've ate there really stands out in my mind at present.

That said, if you want a grand dining experience, you can get that a Pre Catalan.  You can't at Astrance.

Thanks for the feedback, it may have sounded like I was looking for a comparison, but I realize that they are completely different animals. As it turns out, I'll be going to both on consecutive nights, so it should provide for an interesting contrast.

Edit to add: does anyone have a particular favorite among the handful of traditional bistros in the 7th that are open on Monday nights? (Florimond, P'tit Troquet, Clos des Gourmets, Chez l'ami Jean, etc.)

Edited August 27, 2003 by tighe (log)