dietndesire's Profile
Is there ANY decent pizza on the UWS?!
It is a chain. It is nothing so special. Maybe if you eat rubbish and it is best in the area, you insist on it being within 2 blocks, etc. you might say it is 'great' or one of the many overused adjectives of praise that proliferate on these boards.
But it is not that. It should be decent to good though. And I don't know the prices at this location. They are actually not bad in South Beach for this type of pizza(and the location) so maybe the same in NYC.
Where To Buy Pita or Flat Bread That is Only Water, Flour, Salt.......
Or similar? Do not want chemicals, preservatives, etc.
Whereas it is possible to find risen, loaf breads, of this type I cannot find the above.
Well, I know one brand but it is not sold in NYC area.
A commercial, store bought version or if there is a shop that makes it, also fine.
I prefer a bit of puff to it. Not the really flat, dry nasty 'pita pockets' that are prevalent.
Even the versions I have seen in Whole Foods type stores are quite rubbish but I am sure
I do not know every brand.
Not really looking for naan(clarified butter or whatever) but if it is a version that uses a quality
fat(most do not, even those that many will say are tasty), I will listen.
Location not important, I will decide if it is too big a hassle afterwards. Thank you.
Grocery cost in Paris
You begin uni in Paris? That is .......... something special. I am having trouble biting my tongue and leaving it there. Not that any of that is your fault but quite a statement by an institution of higher learning.
Anyway, others are natives and know more but I think you will just have to figure out what costs what. Too many items to go through.
Again, variables(appetite, tastes, etc.) but I think 70 euros should be sufficient if you are careful without starving or eating only gruel Francaise. Only an additional 700 for the 'year' which is a rounding error on total cost. And maybe less but I am of the mind to plan with caution.
If you are like a typical NYer(even students) and eat out all the time(yes, they do), have coffee, this, that and the other you will wind up spending more for sure. But since you are not in that habit, you could be OK. Cooking facilities in the school housing?I assume you checked. A 'NO' would put a dent in your money saving food mission.
And don't feel too bad about getting stuck in their ripoff housing, they do the same in NY. I assume they do it at all of their money making campuses far away from the USA.
Lovely
Grocery cost in Paris
There are so many variables to this question which are unanswered(what type of food, quantity, quality, etc.) but while it is possible to survive on 20euro/wk, I would do something more akin to taking your NY food budget and adding 50% as a very gross basis. While I am sure I will receive much grief for this, I cannot help but think that it is silly to go to NYU, do a year abroad in Paris yet worry about a few euros for food. If money is that much of an issue......................
Restaurant in Paris, wishlist
Honestly, most of what you state is just not possible.
London does not top food in Paris in quality, overall. In any way, really. And if you have no problem paying in London, then Paris(which is surely more than NY and LA) should not bother you so much.
And if you vetted everything 3x over, none of the many 'bests' mentioned on this site and your other sources serve frozen food. That is a fact.
You should name everywhere you went that was terrible. I do not doubt there are many, many but they are irrelevant and easily avoided.Personally, I do not care if 90% of the restaurants are poor, if there are 50 that is more than enough. In NY, I think the number I would consider eating in is maybe 50. That includes where I have been or would try and the number is generous. Stating that food in Paris is sub par is pure nonsense. It is certainly not worse than NY if you are gleaning from this site. And I wish that were not the case.I am in NY more often. Yes, Paris is very expensive and I can see that stinging on the everyday. But there is a difference between that attribute and the quality. And if you just 'walk in' in NY without a care, the food is certainly not fresh and fab. The best places run by American chefs in Paris? What count is that among the top 50 or 100? It sounds to me as if you went to bad restaurants(your own fault, how you managed it with so many guides, I am not sure) and do not like the prices or maybe there are other factors that rub you the wrong way. You compare to eating in La Boqueria which is certainly a different animal. Maybe if you bought some cooked choices in the better Parisian markets, you would have a better comp. It seems that when you were spending 30,50 or more euros on a poor meal, you were definitely not liking it as much as spending 10 euros in La Boqueria. And I am a big Barca fan(though not the football club). I just think it is a disservice spreading this misinformation, that's all.
Paris Lunch Reviews - Tuileries Bar, Galleries Lafayette, Le Cinq, Michel Rostang, Ledoyen
Might I ask about the issue adding the spaghetti? Was it named on the tasting menu as a supplemental course or did you just add it from the a la carte menu?
Landemaine Hours of Operation?
Surely not closed on both but I make no promises as to the current times(maybe even one day per weekend). Call(or maybe someone else will chime in)if it is a huge issue to arrive to a shuttered shop. I would not call a trip to that area a loss in any case but it seems many others do not feel the same about 'wasteful' excursions. I have had those, too, but only when you go to a remote, desolate, uninteresting area for a specific shop.
Landemaine Hours of Operation?
http://www.yelp.com/biz/boulangerie-landemaine-paris
Best I could do for a listing, short of calling. I assume you found this one but one important point, they were open on Sunday last year if that was your biggest issue. Good luck.
Chez L'ami Jean (revisited)
And push it we did. I went twice during the summer, once with a regular at lunch and once as a no name duo for dinner. The latter is the meal I will speak about, mostly. Cote de bouef for 2(last one available I was told), homard bleu(special) and some side mushrooms.2 bottles, about 65 for both and rice pudding.Were offered a post dinner cordial by Stephane and we obliged by accepting two glasses of armagnac.I think the riz au lait was not on the bill, either. 212EU was the total and we ate like kings in terms of quality and quantity.Aurelie was quite impressed by our appetites(and I think Jego was as well).Unfortunately, she was only by a couple of times and that male waiter that I dislike was the main server. It is so ironic to me that he seems about as close to the stereotyped 'snotty' French waiter as I have come across and it is a restaurant that did very well by me twice. I rarely encounter these types.Even with my 6 words of French, I do well with service in restaurants and shops in France. In fact, for the most part, I love it. I know what it is that I like and why I think I am treated well but I will not start a flame war right now.
L'Ami Jean lives up to the hype which is extremely difficult when I am grading. The precision in the cooking was just so spot on. Mostly simple preparations but it makes you realize just how sloppy so much other cooking can be. This is something that will always impress me. Also, the portions for mains are extremely generous and the quality has been superb. I know that it will be near impossible to keep that up. At some point, I am bound to get the less than stellar cote that someone had for lunch the next day after hearing my glowing review of dinner. But he is a local and known. I told him the piece I had was the last one so who knows what the issue was. I have sampled beef, lobster(it was whole if curious), veal chop(probably the best dish I have had there), turbot(the only main that was not cooked to that exact perfection,definitely on too long) and one other entree. For the size of the portions, quality and cooking, the prices are reasonable. The ambiance and service are not worth much, I agree with PhilD there.This does not mean I am not happy there or that I need more space or that service is not efficient(staff is good and even my surly waiter did the job alright) but this is not Le Cinq. But it is not a cheap meal. To be honest, the size of these hunks of meat and fish amaze me given the portions at so many other hot spots. They are large even for my grown man self and I can eat(though not like I used to). I think people of more typical(especially French)appetites could split one main without issue. OK, 40EU for a veal chop is not nothing but again, 20pp is really a good deal. At least for the specimen I had. And I did have the whole thing save for 2 or 3 bites I had to share. Check the price of a veal chop in London or NYC, no bargain, not nearly as large(this was a true double), very rarely in the same league of quality and the fact that you are in the VII in Paris and even my value extracting self will not complain about the cost. I would say about the same for the cote(huge for 2, forget the steak for 2 size that are Peter Luger style or even other cotes in US/UK)though it was just great not superb like the veal.It also came with about 2kg(not exaggerating much) of turnips and carrots(I might still be orange and I don't eat carrots)and the whipped potatoes(those are great).The mushrooms were good only.Went well with the lobster and beef though if I knew about the beef veggies I might have passed just so we were not taking up half the space on the other tables. They were all impressed with our ordering and eating as well.Lobster was also cooked just right. Riz au lait, I don't think is worthy of infinite praise but it is good. And that bowl is not that big. 2 grown men will handle it with ease if they are not stuffed from the 5kg of food they just put down beforehand. I do like the pudding toppings though. Oh, and just to be honest about what a bunch of &$*#( we were, I think we were there for 3.5 hours though our next door tables were interested enough in us.
Overall, I agree with PhilD that it is not cheap on an absolute scale but I cannot fault it too much for price. And I am not one who goes to restaurants for 'good times' and all that(well, food good times, sure). It is rare that my happiness differs much from the food quality.I do not eat out so often and when I do and it is of my own choosing, it is for the food. Not for some 'feeling' or because I got smashed and had a blast. I do not like places where I have had fun but I know just suck. I can have a time of it it horrid spots but I would never give them undeserved kudos or recommend them. And I feel I can separate the quality of the company and enjoyment from the quality of the food and restaurant when necessary. Had one of those in Paris, recently. Why that restaurant? I don't know, I would not have chosen it and was surprised after I ate there that it was the choice. However, my, heretofore unknown, dinner mates were great and we had a grand ole time.
But I ain't going back there.I am not nostalgic.
OK, finally posted about L'Ami Jean. I have stayed away from posting but this is something of a relief. Sorry for the blather. Be happy that I have not posted about my shop knowledge(no offense to the locals but I really sifted the crap out of the data and was around long enough to do it), that would go on for about 20 pages. Good eatings to all and to those vegetarians who feel that Paris does not 'cater' to them,two points. First off, there is more than enough quality vegetable eating and secondly, I do not go to vegan shops and demand steaks and chops. Such the entitled American attitude(and if not American, well, another country on the slippery slope)that everyone should have their every whim catered to. I cannot stand that. Homogenization of everything and leads to a lowering(or rather collapsing) of standards. I hope that Paris does not succumb for a long, long time or at least only just a touch. But I do worry.
Where, or where, has my little neighborhood boulangerie gone?
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I thought I was the only one who knew. Well, except for Julot because I alerted him but he does not partake in the bread so it was almost a secret. How did you find it?
OK, I am being selfish but let us not let it get out too much.
It is the bread they serve(or served) at Septime. Truly top class. The one great point about having lunch there was this discovery. Certainly nothing else but I digress.
I think Des Idees is bad. I cannot understand why there is so much love for it. Had a few items, some were plain poor, one was okay. I would dare people to take a blind taste test and rave.
This is nothing like anything at Des Idees. Mayeur's Pain des Alpages(did they really stop baking it or they changed the recipe? I thought it was their big fish) is leagues beyond Des Idees, too, if you are discussing dark, heavy, yet airy loaves. Then again, so many boulangeries are superior. Actually, it was possibly the worst I have been to amongst names that I targeted.
Anyway, let's keep this between us. Okay, Randy, you can be in, too, BUT THAT IS ALL!
Chez L'Ami Jean
If you go a la carte, the best are, usually, 40eu(or very near that) for main courses from the chalkboard. Always very generous portions.
Review - Jacques Genin
It does not seem an off day or anything of that sort. Frankly, you have expectations that I and many others would not want a shop to meet. The location is not 'off the beaten path'. If you drive your car to your mailbox and such and walk a total of 3 blocks per year, I guess it is.I do not know where you are from but if you have these worldly experiences and upbringing, I would think that you would realize that the 1 sq km in the immediate Louvre area is not 'central Paris'.
Rue de Turenne is not off the beaten path. Nothing else to say about that.I consider that a fact but in this day and age of anything and everything that anyone thinks or says validates it, people do not care for facts or truths so that nobody is ever wrong. I loathe this because it gives way to ever sinking standards. Nobody learns, yet they should write.
Walking in cold rain is miserable, I completely agree, but that was your decision. Taxi? No need, the metro is easy as a compromise.
As for the staff, I have dealt with all of them(save for anyone who might be new in the last couple months)but it is not their way to rush up with beaming, fake, idiotic smiles(American service) and get through it all as quickly as possible to turn the table with the guest stuffing their face in the usual way nor is it the servile way of most Asian countries. Yes, I am generalizing but that is the majority in both large geographic areas, get over it. The first time I went to the new shop, I sat in the salon. I was greeted and the staff was perfectly pleasant. I took my own seat and did wait for 10 min(guessing) before the young lady came to take my order. But that did not bother me because it is a tea salon. People are there relaxing, reading, chatting, not in a rush. If you were in a rush, I am sure they would have seen to your needs if you had made them known. The elder madame might be viewed as a bit haughty,I could possibly see that,(stereotypically viewed as snotty French) but I get along with her very well and my French ain't great. But I like that.She is perfectly gracious and proper when dealing with me. The younger staff are all very customer friendly from what I have seen and from my own experience. Perhaps you were having an off day.Nobody every considers that. I have had them myself but I recognize that and account for it. Maybe the rain walk did not help and you were frustrated with being a bit lost, etc. I do not know, just pointing it out as a possibility.
I am not saying to go back or arguing with you that Genin actually produces truly top class products that are beyond the hype(and you seemed to think highly of some of them, at the least). But I think it is akin to false information to write that it is off the beaten path. And thus, how could I trust anything you say? These are the reasons that I do not believe that everyone should be putting down their thoughts and feelings about everywhere. Well, at least they should understand who they are, first. While it is true that everyone has and is entitled to their opinion, it is not true that they are all equally valid.That is also why I never reviewed all the shops and restaurants that I visited in Paris, recently, even though I think this board is, overall, quite good and useful and some regulars encourage everyone to leave reviews. If you know about witness testimony, you know how blatantly wrong it can be. People who were right in front of an event, recount it with factually false information. Honestly, if there were some way to validate it, I would wager that you did not sit there for 30 minutes unattended. Awhile, sure, I did(and it might not even have been 10 in my case) and you were, obviously, looking for immediate satisfaction which heightened your sensitivity.
Now, if you had been to Genin's first shop, I would grant you the 'off the beaten path' comment even though I still might not consider it so but that statement would have some merit,especially for a tourist on a short stay. Then again, what is an extra hour if you seek the best?
The Great Boston Pastry Hunt
This is mostly for StriperGuy and ViverManger but anyone can chime in if you are on a similar line of thought. I am a real **()*)(@#$#@^ for standards(have even filtered Paris down to a handful of shops but that is true excellence) but I will be in Boston for a couple of days and where I go directly afterwards is Nowheresville. I might be in the market for some bread and sugary treats. How would you rank these(feel free to say if they are close or not if 1,2,3). I would be willing to go to 2 or 3 shops for each(and I realize both bread and desserts are at some I list) unless nothing is even good. I am not asking for great because I know that is not happening. If very good, I would be surprised and excited. But if not even good(on the high global standard, not the 'this is great for where I live' standard)then please tell me to skip all the calories.
Iggy's
Hi-Rise
Clear Flour
Canto 6
Japonais
If recommended, I would appreciate if there are only specific items that are worthwhile at said shop.
Also, I am not interested in the Middle Eastern and similar type of bakeries.
I do not care for German brots or the like.
And I am not in the market for the much loved cream puffs even at Japonais or Asian style desserts.
I hope there are replies. I did not want to start a whole new "Best Bakery..." thread.
Thanks in advance.
Basille's Artichoke Pizza NOW FROZEN
No completely assembled, frozen pizza can be good. Well, I guess that depends on your bar for 'good pizza'. (Deep dish is much closer to its fresh counterpart though I do not count that, NY style, Neopolitan, anything in the 'real pizza' category, not even close)
And their freshly made pies are not good. Actually, maybe the frozen is actually an improvement.
2 weeks in Bordeaux (city) - Best gastronomic experiences (from cheap to $$$$)?
I had lunch at Jean Ramet. It was good though that was a few years ago and it seems to have lost its star which is not the best sign. If in town, I would probably return, nonetheless. Madam Ramet was kind enough to seat me walking in(it filled completely and seemed like all parties had reservations) and the sommelier(another madam) was quite good.
Food Shopping Help in Berlin... Emphasis on HELP!!
I do not want the premier goods, only. But I would like to know where they are, of course. There is balance. It would be nice to also have 'good' items that are 'cheap' if not the cheapest lot you can find.
'Fancy' produce, has a name attached to increase the price,'bio','local', whatever the case. And that would be fine for me except that so often it just is not very good. Too hit or miss if you do not know the supplier/seller/producer.
Doubt anyone is going to top the 12EU/kg fruits from this summer.
Will check out KaDeWe.
Did not expect gourmet from the Turkish market.
Actually, at least the non food stands seemed to have some items that weren't total rubbish like most 'farmers markets' in various cities. So, that was a plus, not that I was buying.
Imren, mentioned and the some lads were speaking of some place on Rosenthalerplatz and one other. Why is 'real' in quotations? Shouldn't it be 'meat' when people are speaking of the pressed, processed crap that they call 'meat'?
The Bird, who knows, indeed. I have gotten some truly great prime beef from IBP but it is inconsistent due to their sheer volume(and the fact that they do not really need to care at this point). And if they order choice, instead, that is trouble. Aged choice is such a waste.
Cologne Bonn Anything? Shops and/or Restaurants
Once again, you are painting me completely wrong.
I spend a lot more money in other cities for the same products and willingly, though they are far superior than I am finding in Germany. That is all. If it ain't really good, it should not be almost the same price. Actually find Lidl to be reasonable because they charge the least for their low end goods which are not much if at all worse than most of the others. And I do not find the products at bio stores and upmarket to be much of an improvement so why the markup?
Too bad all this came after I left. Perhaps, I could have tried something.
Did not have time for any restaurants. Maybe one meal but I skipped it. Did go to many bakeries(maybe 6), almost all mediocre, Tortchen Tortchen was solid, at least, maybe even good.
Thanks for the replies, anyway. Next time at the 'ring, maybe.
Food Shopping Help in Berlin... Emphasis on HELP!!
I think you have me a bit wrong which I will take responsibility for.
High prices, well, I have been paying much higher than Berlin has.
Of course, the level of quality was also higher. So, do not think that I am upset because things are expensive. I know there are people like that. I am hardly one of them.
I am just not seeing one of either high quality(forget HIGHEST quality) and I am seeing
nothing that isn't overpriced for what it is, basically. I rather pay 40 for something that is a 9 than 30 for something that is a 6. And rather than the latter, rather pay 20 for something that is a 5. Basically, I am unsure if people are geographically biased as is so often the case.
Fleischerie Gottschlich has a fair amount of exposure, I am surprised you do not know it.
Went to the market on Maybashufer. Very typical market(I find them overrated in most cities around the world). You can have cheaper than the stores, quality might vary a bit. Price and quality not in lock step as usual.Not much in the way of the 'fancy' produce. I am going to try a couple of others later this week.
I hope the offerings besides the produce are more interesting at the least. Even if not enough to get me to purchase, enough to make me look for more than 2 seconds.
Will probably try the Bird at some point, especially, since it is not very far from me.
15 EU for a burger does not make me bat an eyelash. If I do not find it to be very good, I will be sore about it afterwards.
Will try Werkstatt this weekend(cannot eat cake every day, or at least I don't). Again, I do not care about cheap. I care about good or better, first. Then I will decide if it is too outrageous in price. I am guessing it will not top the 7EU I have been paying for some masterpieces of pastry.
Currywurst and falafel are not happening. Doner I will do if I find one with actual meat. Some random threads around the net name(German threads) only a very few places that seem to do that. Will have to sort it through.
Food Shopping Help in Berlin... Emphasis on HELP!!
Thanks for the info. So far, I have not been to any weekly markets but I am thoroughly unimpressed with the stores to be kind.
Have been to Lidl, Kaiser, Rewe, a couple of bio chain stores,random independents and there is nothing great and nothing cheap which is the worst combination.
Is Fleischerei Gottschlich considered a top butcher? I went there, too.
Maybe some weekly markets will show me something.
Side note, can I just walk into The Bird as a solo diner and eat at the bar or wherever?
I might try it but do not care to make a res for 1 at a place like that. And since they use IBP
for their supply, I do hope it is the top end of it though from the pics, I do not think so.
Anywhere for good bread(German, dark, baguettes, anything), desserts? I wasted a lot of sugar calories on rubbish last weekend. I think what it takes to get a 'great' rating(x reference from multiple sites) is far below what I even consider good. And this is all not limited to Pberg. Tell me where it is, I will probably make the trek.
Food Shopping Help in Berlin... Emphasis on HELP!!
Yes, I have searched the boards. I would hate to be a repeat poster but I have found nothing.
I want fresh produce and meat. If brats, sausages, etc. that is fine, too, but they should be well-crafted, no nitrates, nasties, dextrose, nonsense, etc.
Also, bakeries, sweets and the like would be appreciated though I have a couple of names for those.
Cheese?
Will be located between Bernauer Str and Rosenthaler Platz U stops. Sorry if that makes no sense, I am worse than completely ignorant about Berlin. Close is nice but less necessary for me than most. Also, note if cheap or expensive but worth it. I am starting from zero knowledge save a bit from West Germany(not Munich).
Thanks in advance, I will keep searching around here and there and sorry if I completely missed a whole slew of info on these topics.
Cologne Bonn Anything? Shops and/or Restaurants
Hello,
Looking for simple restaurants of quality(even kebap stand and all that are fine) and more importantly good(or better)shops for meat, produce and bakeries.
I have not delved the depths of the web as I usually would have but there is not much on this board which makes me feel there is not much, overall. It is a rush job, I know, but I will only be there a few days. Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Paris Report: Le Gaigne, Breizh Café, Josephine Chez Dumonet, Lao-Lane Xang, Chez L’Ami Jean, Spring, Huitrerie Regis
Was there for 4 so agreed on not being rushed there in particular and in Paris in general.
And I am crashing your place this fall/winter after the trials and tribulations I have had with the landlords. You won't even notice me. OK, that's a lie but I'll try to be non-existent.
Which 3 days of the week in Lyon? Is the first week of August very significant for closures?
Coming to Lyon later today, leaving Sun morning if you want to grab a gelato or whatever. Thanks for the help, getting there has been problematic and I am not organized(have the info but not mapped, sorted, planned) but will waste tonight doing that.
Need a farmers market buddy in Paris!
Sorry, not going to be able to meet up. Honestly, Saturday all the way in the 17th at that hour is too large a time sink and I have no other interests near there or anywhere even close. Plus, it is open all the time.
If my outlook changes, perhaps, Raspail on Sun. I would let you know.
Honestly, I think you are far too set on these markets. And for the meat question, do a search on the board. It has been gone over, plenty.
Need a farmers market buddy in Paris!
You can email me at this username, gmail. No need to send your mobile but do please send the schedule you plan on for the weekend. If I can meet with you, I will reply by email, if I cannot, I will reply on this thread. But we can all hope for improved skies.
Need a farmers market buddy in Paris!
I could be a poor substitute to a local and/or Francophone as I am neither.
Not sure of your schedule and I have some other obligations this weekend but if you are desperate perhaps it would be a match.
Also, is your purpose just to gaze or what do you plan on actually buying? I ask for multiple reasons.
Good luck on your quest even if you have to go at it solo. Could be worse. Not sure the weather could be much worse for July, though.
Ledoyen lunch menu last week..
2nd all of that but for last week. Though I do not know what strong cheeses they used to have that they do not offer at the moment. Must be nice to know their offerings so intimately.
Anyone want to have lunch at Ledoyen next week?
I figured you would be at the spot with the huge list. But that list ain't worth being in Tampa.
Seems you enjoyed yourself, though, which is good.
You still have time, I am still flying solo and the weather is actually nice. No brainer, yeah?
Anyone want to have lunch at Ledoyen next week?
Indeed the lack of a weekend possibility has created this issue. Though I am not sure there are not a great many Parisians taking a long time out for lunch to be generous. I appreciate your support, though, Parigi.
Deluca, you are in the black hole of culinary delights known as Florida? That alone should make you hop an overnight r/t on Air France just to do lunch and tide you over.
I still have a faint hope.
Anyone want to have lunch at Ledoyen next week?
Bump.
Anybody?
Bueller?
Sigh......dating myself with that one.
