fanoffrance's Profile
Alsace in mid-Sept 2011: Le Pressoir de Bacchus, Le Chambard, Aux Armes de France, and more -- including Bernard Antony along the way
I also had a very disappointing experience at Aux Armes de France a few years ago, shortly after the chef had "given up" his star. I don't remember the details now, apart from a red Alsace wine which I sent back to the kitchen, but I remember thinking that I'd rather eat at Courtepaille and that I couldn't imagine how such a place could stay in the Michelin guide at all.
Coq au Vin on the Côte d'Azur?
Thanks, I've already had the Daube, complete with "merda de can" ("dog doo", i.e. gnocchi)--quite good!
Coq au Vin on the Côte d'Azur?
My mother and I have been staying near Vence for a couple of weeks. She has fond memories of Coq au Vin eaten in Paris half a century ago, and would like to try it again. So far we've eaten in about 15 different restaurants (all listed in the Guide Gantié) but not one of them had Coq au Vin on the menu. Is this a dish one only finds in Burgundy or Paris? Wrong time of year? Or not really French, like onion soup? Mother will be leaving Nov. 7, so any quick tips would be appreciated!
BTW I loved Chibois in Grasse and Clovis in Tourrettes-sur-Loup.
Gourmet excursion in Gascony staying at a lovely château - would it interest you?
It sounds viable to me. My wife and I have enjoyed group excursions with the Toulouse organ festival, combining church organ recitals and gastronomy. Many posts here ask for advice about what wineries to visit; I imagine people would be interested in Armagnac, too. The price seems OK if the food and accommodations are top-notch (no hard beds, thank you). If you're sure the Gers is not very well-known, put the "unspoiled, authentic" spin on it... And don't let spelling errors make a bad impression! MusKEteers (named for the musket rifles, as much as Athos probably liked to drink his Muscat), foiE gras, pÉtanque. I don't know if there are a lot of other organizations with similar offerings. That job offer sounds mighty tempting--if you take it, I hope it works out!
L'Ami Jean alternative
Thanks, I've added it to my list. Do you mean there's no chance of a late dinner there (say, 10 p.m.)?
Paris, between Opera and Louvre, looking for excellent food but casual atmosphere
I had a light late-night fish (daurade?) à la plancha there after attending the Comédie Francaise 3-4 years ago. It wasn't bad, but very ordinary, uninteresting sauce, indifferent service.
Guy Savoy lunch special, is it worth it or can I do better?
Maybe Ledoyen? I preferred Les Ambassadeurs under Piège (as well as now) to Savoy.
Piège reservation
Interesting--your link clearly describes a lunch upstairs. The restaurant's own website says "ouvert du lundi au vendredi soir" which seems to mean evenings only; an article last November (http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/22/eurofile-chic-eats-in-paris/#more-121559) also said "currently only open for dinner". If, after digesting Ptipois' comments, I ever call them again, I'll ask about lunch--maybe the res would be easier.
Piège reservation
Sorry, what's a sig? I've been in Norway too long to keep up with the Times...
Piège reservation
That's what I meant by "secret gimmick". If your Parisian agent failed four days in a row at precisely 8:30 a.m., the list must be filled ahead of time with celebs/friends of the house before the general public even has a chance. Or did your agent encounter a busy signal/repeating message/no answer which would indicate that other calls were being taken while your agent waited?
Are There No Good, Inexpensive Places In Paris?
"cheaper that way" Not only that--it seems a lot of nutritionists try to discourage people from eating a heavy meal shortly before bedtime.
Asian hound in Paris
I also ordered only two courses the first time I was there, no problem. That was also about ten years ago. Now that they know me, however, they always try to tempt me with four courses...
Piège reservation
According to the website www.thoumieux.fr, only dinner is served at the upstairs restaurant. Both my failed attempts took place exactly two weeks in advance; I called on the right days, just a few hours/minutes too late. Let us know how you fare!
Piège reservation
Have any Chowhounders succeeded in snagging a reservation at J.F. Piège's new upstairs restaurant? The first time I tried, I called four hours after the 8:30 a.m. opening time, ended up on the waiting list, and was left languishing there until the date had passed. The second time, I managed to remember to call at 8:45 a.m.... and ended up on the waiting list (where I currently am). Do they really fill up the restaurant during 15 minutes of telephone time, or is there some secret gimmick? Sounds like a recipe for a busy signal... plus it's right in the middle of morning coffee, feeding the birds, walking the dog... inconvenient ;-)
7 Days in Paris: trip report
Great report, I enjoyed it. Somebody ought to start a Dumonet Bathroom Door Commiseration Society--maybe A.A.Gill would write an article about it.
6 nights in Paris -- restaurant recommendations for serious Foodies?
I'd cut out Le Grand Véfour and Frenchie. (Haven't been to Robuchon.)
Decent restaurant open on Sunday in Paris?
I much prefer le Reminet (5th near Notre Dame) to Drouant, for food and service as well as atmosphere. The desserts are better at Drouant, however.
Searching for food experiences in and around Sarlat and Dordogne
Near Brantôme I enjoyed visiting the Château de Bourdeilles and dining at the Moulin du Roc at Champagnac-de-Belair. Puyguilhem I found a bit run-down and sparsely furnished.
Best of the 3 Stars...Is it still Pierre Gagnaire?
Sorry, I had to cancel the trip due to to illness :(
Advice Needed from "France" Chowhounds.
Hmm, I always prefer to give away portraits of Washington and Lincoln--after all, they're on the February calendar as well as Mount Rushmore ; )
Advice Needed from "France" Chowhounds.
Snyder's Olde Tyme Pretzels? "Oregonzola" cheese? Indian dream-catcher, Hopi sand picture? Zinfandel wine from California (mentioned on a recent thread)? Grade B Maple Syrup (more flavorful than Grade A)? Salt water taffy?
Best of the 3 Stars...Is it still Pierre Gagnaire?
I don't know; on this board, at least, they're a bit "under the radar" so getting a res shouldn't be too hard. You can reserve by sending them an email, to which they respond with an email confirmation. As far as I know you can reserve as far in advance as you wish. Couldn't be more convenient! Just watch out for the police guarding the American embassy if you approach the hotel from the west (stay off the sidewalk adjoining the embassy--better yet, take a different route).
Best of the 3 Stars...Is it still Pierre Gagnaire?
I've got a res at Les Ambassadeurs next week--will report back on this thread. In the meantime: http://www.lexpress.fr/styles/saveurs/restaurant/paris-8e-les-ambassadeurs_889628.html
Guidebooks to Paris Food and Restaurants
Interesting! By "stagnant" do you mean lack of innovation rather than a problem with quality?
As for l'Epi Dupin, were your meals there strongly flavored? I dined there once; my appetizer tasted all licorice, while the main shouted sweet ginger. I suppose seasoning is a matter of opinion, but most restaurants in France seem more restrained in that area.
Great restaurant in Paris for a birthday celebration.
I went to Apicius once, maybe five years ago. All I remember is that I had a nice, tender, juicy slab of veal, and that my general impression was of a pleasant but nondescript meal. I might characterize the atmosphere and decor as "Singapore corporate retreat".
Great restaurant in Paris for a birthday celebration.
To Kromsky re Le Cinq reservation: That's strange, Le Cinq has never told me I was too early with my reservation. Most recently I sent them an email Feb. 15 to reserve for lunch April 17. They confirmed it right away, no problem. The email address is lecinq.par@fourseasons.com.
What is/are the 'Best' Michelin 2 Star restaurant(s) in Paris?
Good luck getting a res at JFP's! I forgot to call at 8:30 a.m. (two weeks ahead of time, the maximum they allow). At 12:30 I remembered, but by that time they were already fully booked. While languishing on the waiting list, I'll console myself with knowing that Souphie doesn't think it's worth trying... until the next opening in my calendar. Worse than Frenchie or Spring, this smacks of Nomiya!
Best of the 3 Stars...Is it still Pierre Gagnaire?
The best lobster I ever had was a "Navarin de Homard" at l'Ambroisie. No toughness there, I can assure you! I've also had lobster at Le Meurice and L'Arpège--big hunks of meat swimming in overly rich sauce, not nearly as nuanced and balanced, almost fast-food by comparison.
"The progression doesn't always work" in Gagnaire's tasting menu--how true!
Best of the 3 Stars...Is it still Pierre Gagnaire?
I agree with Souphie about Savoy. My ice cream was melting, too, on my first visit there when Hubert wasn't serving! A waiter noticed it and swapped out the pot with a colder one.
Bread and Roses in Paris
http://www.breadandroses.fr/index.php?lang=en&page=accueil
Have any Hounds tried this establishment (two locations), for example for breakfast? It's recommended in last July's Travel + Leisure magazine, but a search on this board turned up nothing.
