Prête-Moi Paris!

pretemoiparis.com

2010-09-01T07:25:00.006+02:00

*
*
*
Bonjour chers lecteurs, chères lectrices....
Although it was a great launchpad for this blog, this is the end for Prête Moi Paris and host Blogspot.

You may now find me at pretemoiparis.com tout simplement.

Come see the layout, colors, and new posts OF COURSE! I think you will love it, at least I hope you like it as much as I do!

Gros bisous à tous!

Faire ses valises - Packing one's bags

2010-08-29T18:52:00.006+02:00

Sometimes it is just time to say goodbye and move on...

I have said goodbye......

...to BLOGSPOT.
HAHAHA! Gottcha!

Prête Moi Paris! is moving to a different platform so that we can have our very own URL, and a better looking display.
It is not completely official, September 1st is le jour "J" for officially moving, but you can already check it out at PrêteMoiParis.com.

For our twitter friends and fellow bloggers, send URLs and logo URLs to be added onto the blog roll.

This is what the "rentrée" is all about! Changes... Novelty... new things... fresh canvases...

Come on over and play!

Les retrouvailles - The reunion

2010-08-27T16:49:00.013+02:00

Come see the new blog platform at http://pretemoiparis.com !!!

ATTENTION : My blog will soon be moving to Pretemoiparis.com... definitive moving day is September 1st, 2010

When you leave Paris, you exhale a little more. You breathe deeper. You feel your lungs grow a little pinker. You clear your head. Your eyes are quenched on long distant views of ocean, mountains, prairies... But when you are gone for a little while, you tend to miss Paris, just about the time when you have to start repacking your bags. And you realize that you are excited to be returning home there.

I remember my first trip away from the city my first year in Paris 8 years ago. It was during the winter break. And on the train home, it dawned on me that I was returning HOME to the city of PARIS. Whaaaat!?! That was a mini revelation. And it never fails to excite me to return home to this city that I love and have adopted as my own.

As much as I gripe with the rest of them about the métro commute, or the crottes de chiens on the sidewalk, the inconvenient travaux that are everywhere, the chauffeurs that lean on their horn at 7:30am just before my alarm, or the pushy people in the crowds... I am always thrilled to return.

Upon returning from summer vacation, I took a day to wander the streets hand in hand with my chéri, to reacquaint ourselves with our city. (It wasn't like we were gone very long but hey...). We wanted to enjoy Paris in a strolling-nonchalant-carefree way for one day before the onslaught of work and tight schedules took over the daily grind.

We took some vélib bikes and rode past Bastille, along the quai pas the Gare d'Austerlitz, behind the Jardin des plantes; stopped at the Sugarplum Cake Shop on the rue du Cardinal Lemoine for a refreshment and to oggle at their incredible cakes; headed by foot towards Odéon passing the Sorbonne on the way, strolled the rue de Buci, had a snack and then took the vélibs back home to the 12th (trying already to work off some of that vacation padding that somehow attached itself to my body...).

Paris was still there, intact and brilliant under the afternoon sun.

Paris will always be here. And I will always be glad to return.

Cock-a-doodle-doo = Cocorico

2010-08-17T19:36:00.002+02:00

The rooster, or "coq" in french is often used as a symbol of the French. Although it's not an official symbol, it does date back to the far middle-ages.

Philippe August and his frank subjects were mocked by Suétone, saying that they were as proud as the lowly courtyard animal, the "coq". It also just so happens that the Latin word for the Gaullois (which is what the inhabitants of Gaulle, which is now France, were called at the time) is the same word for rooster : gallus.

So what did those feisty and PROUD Gaullois do? Well they took on that title whole-heartedly and made it stand for something.

This is why you see the "coq" everywhere in France. As you can see, certain symbols stick around for ages.

Beauté Bio - Nice and Natural

2010-08-10T19:06:00.004+02:00

Back to Bio

I have been wanting to test this beauty salon for some time, but never seemed to find the space in my wallet for it. That is until Groupon offered a deal with them. Oh happy day! I got a one hour session for a fraction of the price, and I enjoyed it so much, I thought I would share this great address with all of you.

A small oasis in the middle of the busy streets of Paris. The ladies who work their are gracious and calming.

The "cabines" are on a lower level, down a narrow staircase, and in a room with a low vaulted ceiling made of the old stones of Paris. Small water fountains decorate the area visually and acoustically.

After a facial or a massage, you can ask to have your make-up touched up. they carry the brand Couleur Caramel. And all the products used for their care is organic and natural.

Back to Bio :

15 rue de Reuilly - 75012 Paris - tel: 01.44.93.70.03

Reuilly Diderot ou Faidherbe Chaligny - 46 et 86

Fair-weather Fair - Fête Foraine qu'on aime

2010-08-04T13:05:00.017+02:00

The fair...

Oh the fair, that summer event that we always waited for as kids, with sheer anticipation and excitement. The smell of fried dough and ice-cream cones, the sound of children shrieking with delight as they are hurled around by those mechanical things (or with fatigue as they scream to be let out of the stroller); the sight of bright lights and loud colors...

Do you miss being a kid? Or do you hate the fair? Either way, if you're in Paris, you can go to the Fair! Besides, you should at least go to ride on the fabulous ferris wheel. If you get on at 10pm, 11pm or midnight you'll get to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle!

What a sight!

It's a view worth making the trip to see. All of Paris lies below you, lovely and glittery like only Paris can be.

La Fête Foraine des Tuileries 2010:

Practical info :

Place : Jardin des Tuileries, rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
Date : From Saturday June 26 to Sunday August 22, 2010

Hours : from 11am to 11:45pm weekdays, and from 11am to 12:45am Fridays and Saturdays.
Free entry, attractions and food is purchasable
Attractions tariffs : between 2 & 10 € per person

Les fous du Zumba - Zumba crazies!

2010-07-31T15:16:00.014+02:00

Come see the new blog platform at http://pretemoiparis.com !!!

It's like an exercise class turned dance party! And people are nuts for it!

Set to latin and international music, zumba, as one friend put it, makes your body think it's getting a work-out, but your brain thinks it's getting a dance class. Oh yeah!!!

It's wild it's crazy, and it's a lot of fun. People laugh and yell and smile their way through a zumba session. And the zumba craze is sweeping the nation. Everybody is raving about how fun it is and how great you feel after! Plus, you burn some major calories.

Even if you don't have a lot of coordination, you can still take a zumba class. Your moves may not be as fabulous as the teacher's, but no one is paying attention to your silly, unpracticed hip roll; they are all having a great time dancing themselves.

I personally prefer classes where there is less influence on the hip hop moves and music, but some like that. I like it spicy and very hot, hot, hot! I even had a little sample with a teacher that gave a Fosse-show-tunes feel...now THAT I loved!

But a good zumba teacher just has an extremely high amount of energy, and a huge contagious smile.

If you are in Paris and want to try it for free, Paris Plage is hosting a zumba session on Monday evenings, until Paris Plage is over (Aug. 20th). Below the Pont Sully, from 6pm to 9pm.

If you aren't in Paris for Paris Plage, try it for a 10€ trial class at the Academie Internationale de Danse

Go have fun and zumba your self into better shape!

In the land of sweets - Au pays des douceurs

2010-07-25T11:53:00.029+02:00

Come see the new blog platform at http://pretemoiparis.com !!!

Sugar and icing and all that's enticing...

...Kinda makes you want to dive right into one of these incredible edible creations! Or pop out of one, like one Crazy Horse dancer who was part and parcel of an over-the-top birthday bash complete with human sized cake from which said dancer pops out; created by the three sugarplum fairies who have taken up residence on the corner of rue Cardinal Lemoine and rue Thouin. Marie Antoinette has nothing on these lovely north American natives, who have made their pastry dream come true, right smack in the heart of the 5th arrondissement of Paris.

They met in a cake shop in the banlieu... Laurel Sanderson, Krista Juracek and Taylor McLoughlin all came to Paris in different ways, and ended up working at the same cake bakery in Aulnay-sous-Bois. After realizing what great confections they made together, they decided to set out on an adventure and open their own cake shop. And thus was born the Sugarplum Cake Shop.

Photo by Krista Juracek

Their idea is simple and wholesome, with outstanding results : cake can be beautiful and oh-so delicious with home-made recipes and a lot of love. The creativity in this place can be cut with a knife, literally. But the cake shop is so much more than a cake shop. It is a place full of tasty treats to nibble while sitting at a table with a book or a laptop and a cup of coffee; it's a place to find conversation; it's a happy place. I mean who wouldn't be happy in a place full of pastries and cakes and laughter!

When I walked in, Laurel, was on the phone with a client who was brainstorming ideas for his order : a boat cake for his son's birthday. Laurel's conversation swung back and forth from French expressions to American ones, bubbly and cheerful and totally inspired.

Across the courtyard Krista and Taylor were busy in the kitchen. Krista putting the final touches on a superman wedding cake. Attention to detail was so intent that even the button holes had edge work done on them. And Taylor's steady, well skilled hand working on a cake mold that would become a boat, a delicious edible boat.

There is something that oozes out of this place, something more than butter cream and ganache... it's a sensation of comfort, or home, it's a warm happy feeling, like a friendly smile, like a good hug, or better yet, like chocolate cake. Maybe, just maybe Marie Antoinette did have a point... Imagine, if only the French had had cake, they might have let the whole revolution pass them by!

à la fraiche - a place to chill

2010-07-24T11:31:00.009+02:00

The French have a certain "méfiance" or wariness towards air-conditioning. They believe that it will make you sick, destroy your lungs, and probably annihilate your little grandmother. But there is truth to their paranoia about recycled and refrigerated air. I clearly remember the only strep-throat I ever had was when I was in Florida, going from sticky heat to frigid air over and over again, and finally my body broke down like a tired politician from all the flip-flopping.

So needless to say, A/C is scarce in Paris. And when summer is hot, people spend their day seeking out a place to cool down. Some let their toes dangle in the fountains that are scattered throughout the city, some head to the cineplexe movie theaters, some sit in one of the few cafés that have invested in the god-send called a "brumisateur" a fan that also sprays a mist of cool water.

I headed to the Aquarium. There it is dark, cool, and you are surrounded by water, which just the sight of cools you off a few degrees!

In addition to being a great place to find some shade, the Aquarium de Paris has an amazing collection of aquatic life. From small pools to gigantic ones, there is everything from barnacles to sharks. There are places to sit in front of the giant pools and relax while you watch the sea creatures swim back and forth. They say it is calming to watch fish. And I believe it. Give yourself a few hours to spend in there, you won't even see it go by!

Very kid oriented, there is even a petting pool where you can feel the slimy scaly back of a well-fed fish.

A great place for everyone and an escape from the summer heat.

Aquarium de Paris - Cinéaqua
Adresse : 5 Avenue Albert De Mun 75016 Paris
Standard : 01 40 69 23 23, info@cineaqua.fr
Fax : 01 40 69 23 01

Ready, Set, Row! - À vos marques, prêts, ramez!

2010-07-18T18:10:00.009+02:00

Prête Moi Paris held it's first annual row boat regatta, July 17th, 2010.
It was an amicable afternoon on the lac de Vincennes, with food and wine, and fun...
But then we got "serious" and took to our oars. The battle was fierce, but the ladies prevailed and claimed the crown, er... champagne; aaaand promptyl filled everone's glass. Victory is no fun unless it's shared.

See you next year with your captains and crews!

Thanks to Quinn of http://quinntessentialstyle.blogspot.com/ for her photography skills!

La fête Nationale - Bastille Day

2010-07-15T09:14:00.003+02:00

This is how Parisians celebrate what Americans call Bastille day...
Parade in the morning, most people watch it on tv, only the vigorous tourists go out to the Champs Elysées; and then others just soak in the morning sun (uuuh, rain) at a café, full of...you guessed it : tourists. Then we all go in search of lunch in tourist filled restaurants. The lucky ones go to their families house for lunch!
Then it's the timing guessing game, on how early one must get to the chosen spot for viewing of the fireworks display... One hour in advance? Two? Three!?! Ok let's make it a picnic so we don't twiddle our thumbs and have sore bums by the time the show starts.
So, feeling quite smart, we arrive at the Champs de Mars (the green below the Eiffel tower) threeee hours in advance, picnic basket and all. Well we aren't the only ones to have that SMART idea. In fact all of Paris and it's tourists were there already; it was not easy to find a (dry) spot to plunk down on.

The wait is reduced by the activity of people watching, the French national sport, along with café sitting, and dog walking. And then one half hour before the show the late-comers arrive hoping to grab a corner of your carefully laid out picnic blanket. And by then you are so exasperated you start reminding yourself that you will not do this again next year.

But then when the sparks start flying, you forget all about the frustration and are completely captivated for a half hour by those bright shiny sparkly things called fireworks.

Ah! The human being is so easily entertained!
Vive la France!

Cuisine authentique - Athentic cuisine

2010-07-12T11:50:00.015+02:00

You all know that whenever I am outside of Paris and I find something that catches my fancy, I love to inform you about it... I found you all a brand new restaurant in Aix en Provence, that has an age old philosophy : good food that is good for you.

Opened only 3 months ago, l'Atelier du Déjeuner serves up breakfast, brunch and lunch for the Aixois (inhabitants of Aix) and for those who are visiting of course.
So what's different with this one??? There is no fixed menu, everyday the options change. You have two or three lunch options, and EVERYTHING is freshly bought and freshly made. So although I cannot tell you to indulge in a particular menu item, I can tell you that I cleaned my plate, and went back the next day for more! My papilles (taste buds) were quite happy to eat there twice in one weekend.

A duo of friends who has worked the haute gamme restaurant circuit in Paris, was looking for a little change, a little sun, a little something down-to-earth. And that's exactly what they have created. A cool interior with pristine white-washed stone walls, is complimented by a courtyard terrace in the back, lined with fresh herb pots growing things that will be going into your plate. You can say 'bonjour' to the chef through the window to the kitchen as you pass by on your way to your table. He is in there hand-making every sauce, every dish, every crumb.
You may also order to-go if you wish.

A friendly place full of happy people, amazing flavor in their food and a surprise menu every day!

Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Tea-room
"after-works"
Open 8h00am to 7:00pm Monday to Saturday

L'Atelier du Déjeuner
15 rue Boulegon
13100 Aix en Provence
Tel : 04 42 21 11 98
cel : 06 22 03 64 55
latelierdudejeuner@hotmail.fr

Jet Set !

2010-07-07T10:12:00.003+02:00

People get ready!

Out of the blue sky, the jet engines came roaring by, on the 6th of July.

I jumped up, stuck my head out the window at the office and started shooting (my camera), in an attempt to capture the fabulous adrenaline that comes from watching these incredible metal birds flying over Paris.
I only had one worried student call me, asking if there was something to worry about. But If I had been a random war vet tourist, not knowing what was happening, I may have been slightly worried too. For about 20 minutes, aircraft of all kinds were flying low over the city.

The military style parade takes place on the Champs Elysées July 14th, in the morning. It'll be crowded so get there early if you want to see. It is also aired live on television.

Just a little jet practice for the 14th of July!

Allons enfants de la patrie, le jour de gloire est [presque] arrivé!!!

For Laughs - Pour Rire

2010-07-04T11:54:00.002+02:00

The festival, Imaginez Maintenant – Les 4 Jours de la Jeune Création, is in it's final day today. It started on July 1^st for a 4 day run with : fashion, concerts, tastings, expositions, shows, performances etc. all on the Chaillot hill (Colline de Chaillot) which is just around Troacdero.

I ran into one of these performances which was more than just a performance, it was the hilarious idea of two women with a giant sense of humor! Charlotte Moisand is a “paysagiste” and Caroline Oriot is a “scénographe” who conceptualized Turris Ferrae 'Eiffelum' which is a project that explores the idea of what if the Eiffel tower grew roots! Their collaborators invent and explore all the possible reasons why the Eiffel tower would have roots that have pushed out of the ground, and discuss, with spectators and passers by, the ecological solutions for what to do with it.

What is so hilarious is that they keep a completely sober face when explaining this outrageous fib, and by the look of some tourists faces, there were a few believers in the crowd.

The young man I took a video of explains how the Eiffel tower's roots are made porous from the mushrooms, mold and pollution underground, and then when it pushes through the ground it is actually a plant, that he was doing “scientific tests on” and even was able to cook it. It had a sort of licorice flavor. There were also buds of the Eiffel tower that grew, and he had one in a separate pot. He was saying that if this type of “plant could “grow” in these conditions, then we could grow this all over the world and feed the starving populations of the third world.And the whole time he keeps a complete straight face. It was so hard not to burst out laughing!

Bravo to Charlotte and Caroline, this is a fabulous, delirious idea, and a lot of fun! Go see it today if you get the chance. Spots are scattered around the Palais de Chaillot.

www.imaginezmaintenant.com

What women want - Ce que veulent les femmes

2010-06-27T10:02:00.014+02:00

Come see the new blog platform at http://pretemoiparis.com !!!

And what is it that they want? Well, at the moment it is a Yves Saint Laurent frock, gown, garment, glove...anything.

The artist who disappeared from this world in 2008 is not to be easily forgotten. Madame Carla Bruni-Sarkozy has teamed up with the Petit Palais and the Foundation of Pierre Bergé-Yves Saint Laurant (Pierre Bergé was Yves life partner), to create a special homage to the man who understood the grace of the female body better than most women do.

The exposition which was opened in March, will be coming to a close soon on the 29th of August. I suggest you go as quickly as possible to see this stunning spectacle of fashion, artistry and pure genius.

YSL was a master of using texture, shapes, lines, colors and movement in his work, and this display shows about 300 pieces of his haute couture work, as well as photographs and film. Sometimes shocking, often innovative and always the emblem of elegance Yves creations will forever remain works of art.

YSL, started at the age of 19 as Christian Dior's assistant modéliste . He then took over the maison when Dior passed two years later. In 1961 his own maison is created YSL, under the guidance of Pierre Bergé, and Yves went on to revolutionize fashion for decades.

The exposition has a well thought out scenographie, and you flow through the rooms as if on air, passing in front of one gorgeous piece to the next, with each one calling out to you to touch (which is not allowed), so you feel them with your gaze. All those folds of taffeta, tweed, silk, satin, velvet, tulle, lace and embroidery are enough to drive a lady mad, or ecstatic, or both. You exit feeling as if you have wings, or are wearing a silk gown... same thing.

L'eau à la bouche - Mouth watering

2010-06-24T17:41:00.006+02:00

The start of summer time always gives a desire for something that says, warm, sunny and relaxing, n'est-ce pas? Especially those of us that sit behind a desk most of the day and watch those rays stream in through the window.

For those of you who are looking for an escape on your lunch break here you go :
Fuxia l'épicerie, a fabulous little franchise that does restaurant service, catering, food to-go, and all of it will leave you scouring the web for tickets to Italia when you head back to the office.

Juicy salads, pastas, wines and more to make your mouth water! Lunch salads that are generous in portion, range from 8,50€ to 13€.

Nine locations in the Parisian region will get you your fix, (non Parisians there are locations in Rennes, marseille, Lille, Tour, and Brest). I especially like the location in the 17th arrondissement of Paris, for it's lovely tree-line terrace and quiet place that gets a healthy amount of sun in the afternoon.

Buon appetito!

Décrocher la lune - Shoot the moon

2010-06-12T11:35:00.011+02:00

Photo : Opera de Paris

Kaguyahime, the moon princess, descends down to Earth with a message of peace and spirituality. Her incredible beauty inspires love and desire, and many men vie for her hand. She refuses them, knowing that her time on Earth is limited, and she is secretly in love with the Emperor, Mikado. A war breaks out and the inhabitants of Kaguyahime's village are forced to defend themselves against a nobleman and his warriors. Her time on Earth finished, the moon princess must leave her adoptive parents and the Emporer and she reascends back to the moon cloaked in a golden mantle.

The Opera de Paris showed it's premier yesterday evening, of their version of this timeless Japanese tale, with Marie-Agnès Gillot dancing the title role. Clothed in a glowing white unitard she carefully and gracefully moved through Jiri Kylian's astonishing choreography. The entire spectacle moves with a fluidity that is painstakingly practiced and perfected. The décor and lighting (done by Michel Simon) harmonizes so well with the dancers and the music that is represents a seamless flow of artistry and creative ideas that the spectator is carried away by each and every moment of this amazing show.

In reality there were two spectacles in one, the dancers and the orchestra. The music composed by Maki Ishii is dominated by percussionists, who execute a dance of their own as the beat their large base drums in a choreographed unison.

But the dancers were obviously the most thrilling. In an almost unstoppable movement they performed a story punctuated by more than just pirouettes and jetés, they were characters, letters even, from a Japanese parchment paper telling a story that has endured for almost two thousand years. Their bodies took on forms that traditional classical and modern dance do not know.

Run, fly, but do not wander slowly to see this masterpiece. You will not be disappointed. It lasts until the 15th of July on selected dates only, at the Opera de Paris, Bastille.

La perle rare - A true gem

2010-06-05T19:27:00.013+02:00

Well aware of the title of my blog, and, oui, it IS my intention to offer my dear readers insight in my beloved Paris, but occasionally I come across a true gem, and am compelled to tell you about it.

We are in France, in the Roussillon region, where there is sun, beach and the Pyrenees mountains. The perfect setting for a weekend getaway and a jewelry purchase.

Carlos Zavala, bijoutier createur, has creations that you will find now where else. I stumbled upon his work while strolling through beach town, Collioure this weekend.

He works with gems, silver and gold, sometimes mixing all three in one single piece like this one.

Working out of a large sea-side atelier boutique, he and his companion (the lucky lady who gets to were any piece she wants every day!) create and sell these sparklers hot off the iron. He can even resize items on-the-spot in fifteen minutes, since he creates all of his pieces right there as well.

The impressive collection, sometimes has a Lord of the Rings, feel to it, and sometimes a light and airy luxury look. The rings caught my eye, but he makes everything, bracelets, necklaces, earrings etc. You could even go to him with an idea and have him create a special unique piece, although most of the collection boasts unique pieces, so you will feel special knowing you are the only person in the world to have the particular item you chose! His prices are quite decent, and his attitude sweet.

Before transplanting to Collioure in April, they were in Villefranche de Conflent, but hope to stay by the sea for a long time. When in town, stop by their boutique, browse and say Bonjour for me!

AMATISTA
Rue Jules Ferry (in front of the school) 66190 Collioure
Tel : 06-23-32-77-57 or 06-61-43-25-56
zavalacarlosamatista@yahoo.fr

All photos but the top one, are by Carlos Zavala

Paris By Mouth Launch...Paris gourmand, de bouche à oreille

2010-06-01T01:04:00.016+02:00

Food writer Meg Zimbeck's new site Paris by Mouth coupled their launch party with that of chef Daniel Rose's restaurant, Spring which has just moved to a larger venue in the 1st arrondissement. It was a perfect evening on the rue de l'Arbre sec this past crisp-but-bright Monday at the end of May. Spring (the restaurant) has recently opened their boutique, where the fête began with flowing wine. I was happy to be able to attend for a short but sweet, while. Bloggers, foodies, Parisians, professors and quite a few American ex-pats came out to for the ol' heave ho, and up you go.

The boutique has a charming, nostalgic and authentic ambiance, where the shelves are laden with products that have character and careful choosing put into the selection. Pressed in cozy together and spilling onto the sidewalk, the place was like a meeting hub for to all came out to play with Meg and friends. The chatter bubbled over everything from yoga to wine and beyond. And the evening sun became golden and sparkling upon the shelves lined with good things to eat.

Pierre and Mary, a bi-cultural couple were there enjoying the food and fun.

I also met Pamela Levy who is launching a website and e-commerce dedicated to all things yoga, and Sylvia Sables who has her own site as well http://sylviasabes.com/

We have all been looking forward with anticipation to all that Paris By Mouth will bring to the Parisian world of foodies and gourmands.
And here it is!
Paris By Mouth

This brand spanking new website boasts some incredible knowledge and insight on the Parisian food scene. Meg Zimbeck is a seasoned expert (pun intended) at finding and reviewing restaurants, recipes and roast chickens! Bon appetit tout le monde!

Petits recoins cachés - Nooks and crannies

2010-05-31T11:51:00.010+02:00

I have a thing for courtyards. Often when you stroll through Paris you catch a quick glimpse of a magnificent cour when someone is slipping in through their large portail heading home. Often it is like getting a peek at a secret garden, and you run over to try to peer into the tiny dark stained windows or through thick iron bars that protect these places from outsiders.

Yesterday while strolling through the 9th arrondissement, I ran across a building with the entrance left wide open as there was a neighborhood garage sale (un vide-grenier) going on just outside of it. I asked the monsieur who was more or less guarding the entry of I could go in and have a peek. I believe he assumed I did not pose any type of threat as my main interest was the beautifully carved ceiling that I was ooo-ing and aaah-ing over, while my camera went click, click, click. I moved in further to snap some shots of the well-organized, charming and beautifully maintained courtyard.

The address is at the bottom of the post!
Enjoy the photos...

26 rue Cadet, 75009

The Americans do Paris like Carry Bradshaw does New York

2010-05-29T09:22:00.012+02:00

Come see the new blog platform at http://pretemoiparis.com !!!

May 28th marked the second day of author promos at the "Sex in the City Café" that is being held at café Etienne Marcel, in the second arrondissement, for the next two weeks or so. David Lebovitz, Heather Stimmler-Hall and Alexander Lobrano teamed up for the event. Invited by WHSmith to speak about their books and experiences, the three authors were also available for book signing.

Sipping cosmos and making jokes, the three Americans were introduced as having several things in common, such as : well, but of course...being American in Paris, being published writers, and being bloggers! (a subject that sparked a debate on how blogging is viewed in the publishing world). Heather, looking snazzy in a vintage dress and red shoes, and a girl after my own heart, first arrived here as a student. Love it! And did the fight-for-a-visa-States-side-France-side yoyo until finding a way to stay. But she chuckled about never having really found a "real" job so she wrote a book, Naughty Paris, and made a business of sharing her love and knowledge of Paris to intrigued tourists.

David's suggested that we read his book to know his story. David, describes himself as a chef, who once threw pans at people in a busy crazy San Fran kitchen, the writing seems to have been an inevitable side-effect of his life as a food expert and food-artist in paris. I like the term food artist, to me it means more than just making food, it means creating a tasty work of art with it! David, I hope you don't mind me attributing that title to your resumé! ;-)

Alex's story was pure and hilarious. As an 11 year old boy, he came to Paris with his parents and his brother. He recounted how a parental argument, over bringing two children to the Tour d'Argent would be a silly waste, found him hot and bored in their hotel room. Independant at heart, he decided that it would be a terrible waste to sit in that room all night, so he went out. On his own. He was eleven. He went around the corner to the Champs Elysées, sat down at a café terrace and asked for a glass of "vin rouge". Feeling very smug upon reception of this grown-up beverage, and tickled by the fact that they served it to him, he felt inclined to go a little further. All those French people smoking elegantly and sipping their drinks, gave him the desire to try something else he'd never had. He asked for a 'gauloise' (a French cigarette). He was given one. His brother finally ventured out to join him. His brother was ten years old! And the two sat there sipping wine and smoking cigarettes like everybody else, and the other café patrons just giggled at these two blond-haired blue-eyed kids, acting like it was the most natural thing in the world. Alex obviously had Paris in his heart right from the start.

The only thing marring the evening was the horrendous service at the café. I will never return there again, (unless of course David, Heather or Alex show up again).

The author's speeches at the café Etienne Marcel turned into a chat over cocktails and a book signing session. Sex in the City is lucky to have some creative promotion, and Paris is lucky to have three such fabulous people advocating the virtues (and vices) of this amazing city.

Minimal Max

2010-05-23T11:04:00.018+02:00

Take only the minimum at the Max Café.

Max café, the trendy spot installed one floor up from ground level at the BCBG store, 14 boulevard Madeleine, satisfies in terms of ambiance and on the scale of chic-ness I'd give it a 6 or 7 which I think is pretty decent. Service was friendly and accommodating, but then it wasn't a very busy time when we reserved, (don't you love how when we receive decent service in Paris we automatically assume it's because of other reasons!). The lighting is lovely and the venue seems light and airy. You sit comfortably and are off the crowded streets in a cool and quiet atmosphere. Thank god they were not blasting techno music.

The brunch however seemed like something your sister-in law who is just learning to cook would make.While you may not leave hungry, this meal looks like it's made to please an anglo-american-unrefined palette. There was a café and a large fresh squeezed orange juice (that part I enjoyed), then there was une assiette salée with a mini-burger, some kind of creamy mayonnaise potato salad with ham strips on top, grated carrot salad with a hash-brown topped with two mini sausages, and a sort of omelet club sandwich. It all looked very heavy and I only ate the carrot salad and the sausages which didn't sit well with me anyway.

This was followed by une assiette sucrée which was a slight improvement from the first plate : A large glass of fresh fruit salad, berry purée and cream, baguette, and cupcake. I ate the fruit salad and some baguette.

The café is situated inside the store, but you might want to do your shopping before eating so you can fit comfortably in the clothes. Or perhaps after, so you don't purchase anything... if you would rather leave without an extra hole in your wallet. I browsed a few racks of the supposed chic brand, and saw "Made in china" everywhere. Yuck. That's like that mayo-cream ham potato salad, not worth it.

The café itself is worth a visit, but no need to eat there. Have an espresso or iced tea in the afternoon, but don't waste your taste buds on their fare or your budget on their fashion, especially when you can get their clothes at discount stores everywhere, including their OWN website!

Change you can believe in!

2010-05-21T14:02:00.004+02:00

We have all been chuckling lately along with David Lebovitz in reference to his little change fiasco at Monoprix, highlighted in his blog... and yes it is so common to run into difficulties getting change.

I had a student on her study abroad session ask me what to do with a 500€ bill that her grandmother had given her for emergencies (oh those grandmas, very thoughtful but not always up-to-date on the practicalities of modern day monetary etiquette. I bet she had it tucked away under her mattress before handing it to her granddaughter!). So when the student asked me where to break this bill I was somewhat at a loss of what to advise her not used to changing such large bills myself. I recalled an incident with my father a couple years ago with his one hundred dollar bills he wanted to change to euros and the post offices refusing to take that bill (worried it could be fraudulent I suppose, the méfiance typique des français or the old difficult administrative streak... it's hard to decipher between the two). so, I decided to ask my bff, google, for advice. I typed in words like Banque de France agence Paris, ... and found a site with a phone number, dialed it, asked if they would change large bills and then nearly fell over in my chair because they said 'oui'!
The person on the other line then proceeded to tell me opening hours (which are minimal...c'mon what did you think this was going to be, perfect?) and the address. I felt like I had won a secret battle after hanging up the phone. All those past years of fighting with cashiers and banks who will not give you change, as if money were a thing to be afraid of. The Banque de France saved the day.

Liberté, Egalité, la Monnaie!

Banque de France
48 bd Raspail
75006 Paris
01.49.54.27.27
hours :
8h45 - 12h00 (noon) & 13h45 - 15h30 (1:45-3:30pm)

Oh and non-Parisians, I won't for get you... here's the list for France

Être en fleur - to blossom

2010-05-17T20:40:00.002+02:00

Youpi! It's Spring!!!

Convinced by the many compliments and the empty bowl, I believe I should offer you up my wild rice salad recipe with fleurish!

This salad is full of flavor, color and fun textures

Voici some measurements but I really prefer to eyeball everything... it's like art, I don't paint-by-numbers.

Long grain black wild rice about 1.5 cups
Short grain black rice about 2 cups
Dried cranberries about 2 cups
Graines de courge (the green squash seeds) about half a cup.
Thyme (fresh not dried) about 1 cup.
Chicken (diced)
A handful of diced onions (for the chicken) about a quarter cup.
Edible flowers (color - au choix!)
Salt (amount to taste depending on the quantity of your salad) for mine I probably used about 2-3 teaspoons, but it was a large salad.

Everything I got was organic (except the flowers, I got them from the Bon Marché, but I don't think they were organic)

So...

I cooked the two different rices separately because of different water volumes and cook time. The long grain (1 vol. of rice for 2 vol. of water), cooked for about 45 minutes.
The short grain rice (1 vol. of rice for 2.5 vol. of water) cooked for about an hour.
I put in some fresh thyme with both rices to cook. 1/8th cup per pot. This will help get the thyme flavor in the rice.

Mix the two cooked rice grains in a large bowl and stir to let it cool a little while you take care of the rest.

The chicken should be diced in small pieces, about the size of... well a dice, and sautéed with the diced onions until cooked through, but not too dry! Don't over cook. Add the chicken to the rice mixture.

Toss in the dried cranberries.

Take the green squash seeds and put them in a clean dry pan on low heat to roast for about 3-4 minutes. Shuffle frequently. Add to the rice mix.

Take the rest of the thyme and stir it in the mix.

Add salt to taste. I add a little, stir, taste and repeat until I think the flavor is perfect.

The flowers are to be added on top just before serving. Don't mix them in as they will end up looking slightly like flower mush.

And voilà!

Passage Insolite - Secret passage

2010-05-16T09:02:00.000+02:00

Just around the corner from the lively rue de Buci, in the 6th arrondissement, the Passage Dauphine is not really secret anymore. It was actually opened up to public passage in 1825, but it isn't flooded with a thousand jabbering tourists YET either. And they will arrive eventually, so before they do, I am sharing this charming spot of old-Paris-charm with you.

Along this quiet cobblestone path (vertiginous heeled ladies beware!), among other white-washed sleepy façades you'll find a cozy café L'Heure Gourmande, where you can rest your tired feet, a language institute and an annexe of the Ministry of Culture. If you can gain access to the language institute you'll see remnants of an old wall, that you can see photographed in detail on this website HERE. Be aware that the institute (Eurocentres) is not open to the public and therefore may refuse entry. You might need to sign up for classes! and learn how to say, "Puis-je avoir accès à votre établissement s'il vous plait pour voir la muraille?"

Enjoy your moment of bliss in the heart of Paris!