jkof's Profile
Paris Restaurant Advice - near Champs-Elysses
Chez Andre, at 12 r. Marbeuf, is a 5 minute walk south of the Champs. I wandered in on Friday night at 10.30 and they were happy to serve me, and kept welcoming new diners up until midnight. English not a strong point, but so long as you can read a menu you'll do fine. Food was good, although for both courses I ordered I'd had better plates at other places in Paris . . . but so much better than what one gets in London. On to dessert: Chez Andre's profiteroles are the best I've had in Paris. Good wines at reasonable prices too. Meal of 3 courses + petite bottle of wine + water was around 60e.
Chez Denise
As Chez Denise was closed last week for half term, I took a meal at Chez Clovis instead. I was on my own and wandered into Chez Clovis on Saturday night at 9.30pm. Very casual place, not at all concerned about me being solo. Had the herring filets as an entree. Came with piping hot new potatos and some truly red tomatos, all tossed with a vinegrette that could have been a bit more acidic. I was hoping for the endless herring treatment, such as one gets at Chez George on rue du Mail, but still good. Went with the confit du canard which was excellent. Finished off with some very tasty tarte tartin. Actually, I finished off with another glass of wine. Chez Clovis offers many wines by the glass at very reasonable prices. I missed Chez Denise on this visit to Paris, but almost made up for it at Chez Clovis.
One more late nite bistro recommendation: Chez Andre near George V. Happy to seat diners after 11.30, but best to call in advance. Solid food, really good wines at reasonable prices, and the best profiteroles I've had in Paris.
Real coffee in City of London?
I enjoyed a cappuccino this morning from Angolo a Sud. It was pretty good, but not awesome. I need to try their espresso for a proper test.
Barcelona food frenzy with baby in tow
Sure. We had 2 or 3 courses at each meal plus a glass of wine a piece. Roughly . . .
Bestiari, Cal Pel and Set Portes - - 70-85 Eur
Senyor P - - 60 Eur?
At the bars its all about how many racions/tapas are consumed. I think we may have hit as high at 40Eur at Bar Celta one night when we were downing lots and lots of pulpo.
Hope this helps.
Barcelona food frenzy with baby in tow
My wife, baby daughter and I returned from 4 food filled days in Barcelona. We hit many of the classics, but still worthy to recount. All the restaurants below are baby-friendly, as was everyone and everything we did in Barcelona (except the metro is not buggy/stroller friends - - lots of stairs).
Bestiari, Comerc 25
Had an excellent and leisurely lunch. Super wines by the glass. Wonderful roasted tomato soup, finely tuned baccala, succulent grilled squid. What you'd expect from the place.
Bar Celta, Merce 16
Has Pulperia in large blocks on the facade and we enjoyed every tentacle. Really great seafood centric tapas. Pulpo was tender and juicy, pulpitos were good, calamares were excellent. A really great place. We went twice, once sitting at the bar and once at a table in the back room.
Cal Pep, Placa de les Olles 8
Got there 15 minutes before the lunch opening and got stools at the counter (baby on my lap, which wasn't super-comfortable given the stools have no backs). We ate what was in that day: calamares, mushrooms, cockles, monkfish tail (fantastic), and the most amazing garbanzo beans w/ spinach. Everything was super fresh, extremely tasty, and made right in front of our eyes. Exceeded expectations.
Set Portes, Paseo de Isabel II, 14
Our best meal in Barcelona is a toss-up between Cal Pep and 7 Portes. 7 Portes has a brassiere-style 18th c. interior and very formal setting, but the service was friendly and engaging. We had monster sized pans of arros negre and seafood paella. Both were the best of their type we have ever had. We wisely went on a Sunday at around 5pm and were able to get a table without any problem. Lots of Spanish families were there at the time, so the place is definitely kid friendly.
Seynor Parellada, Argenteria 37
Decent Catalan restaurant in a great location. Food was not memorable, but was friendly and fortifying.
Euskal Etxea and El Xampanyet, both on Montacada across the street from each other.
2 more tapas bars. I thought Xampanyet had the better food but it was very simple: cheeses, pimentos, anchovies. Euskal Etxea was more hit and miss. Anchovies were good, but other tapas had too much mayo for my palate. I have high standards for Basque tapas after spending time in San Sebastian and E.E. didn't recreate the experience for me.
On a different tangent, I stocked up on Spanish wine at the Lavinia shop at Diagonal, 605. As good as their shop in Paris. I'm not close to being a wine expert, but at Lavinia I just fill my box with Sommelier Selections that are under €10 and roll the dice. So far each bottle has been excellent.
London sushi? What are your favourites?
Our favourite sushi in London is by Atari-Ya. We used to trek up to their shop in Fortune Green and sit at the small counter. Super-fresh sushi for ~£1/piece. Heaven. They have recently opened a branch on James St. Same excellent quality and much more convenient. www.atariya.co.uk
Edinburgh Dinner- not too fancy
This link has some recommendations from a visit there last year.
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/266725
Real coffee in City of London?
Thank you Howler for your recommendation. Leonida's does serve excellent coffee; I had a mocchiato this morning that was very fine. I only wish they would move their shop closer to my office near Monument. They have something called Manon caffe - - never heard of it before. Are there other providers in the City?
Haven't had the chance to try out Mr. Frothy yet. Other recs would be welcome.
The Great Steak Debate
The best steak I've had in London by a mile was at the Ealing Park Tavern. Only been once so can't confirm how systematic their performance is, but am hankering to return.
Help me pick in London
Chez Bruce was really good when we visited for a Sunday lunch in May. Great service, great food & good value. Sommelier made good suggestions as well. The lunch deal is a real deal. Go via train to Wandsworth Common but one can also tube to Clapham South.
I was totally underwhelmed by the River Cafe when we went about 2 years ago. Seems grossly overpriced for what we got, but that was then.
Fifteen is worth considering if you haven't been.
Real coffee in City of London?
I've been working in the City for 3 years and still every morning I despair at the lack of a good cappucino or cafe con leche. Having just returned from 4 "cafe cortado, por favor" filled days in Barcelona (what excellent cafes!), I really despair at being relegated back to the London coffee chains. Is there anywhere to get a reasonable Italian or Spanish coffee in the City, ideally between Bank and Cannon St Station?
Edinburgh dinner
Hi.
My wife and I had a very satisfying eating time in Edinburgh last year. Best meal was at North Point, or whatever the name of the fancy restaurant is in the old Scotsman newspaper building. it's in this post I did after our trip.
Enjoy!
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/266725
Two London Question for California Visitor
Good recs in Marylebone, which is just south of Primrose Hill are Michael Moore and Fairuz. MM is neuvo-Carribean-Brit while Fairuz is excellent Lebanese. You should be able to both eat a fine meal for about $100.
