Story "Cultural differences – the UK, US and France" Authored By "John Talbott" @ 08 Jul 2009 9:08 a.m. (PREMIUM)

Continuing my theme of cultural differences, a recent trip to the Cotswolds prompted me to consider the cultural differences of eating in France, the UK and the U.S.

Story "Memory" Authored By "Joseph Lestrange" @ 04 Jul 2009 11:38 p.m.

I saw a man hit by a car today. It was my fault, I suppose, though I did nothing. Not today I didn’t, but many years ago I did something and I guess now that he never forgot. Nor did I, but it has not crossed my mind for at least a decade, probably longer. When he looked at me, I recognized him and it came back to me no less than to him. Then he saw me and stopped abruptly. I came back to him as quickly as he had come to me—and with the same hammer of a deep, unwelcome memory breaking through the thick crust of years lived with an ear-and-balance shattering crack!

Story "The First Must-Do When Moving To Paris" Authored By "Karen Fawcett" @ 04 Jul 2009 11:23 p.m.

One of the questions I’m frequently asked is what’s the first thing a newcomer to Paris should do after arriving. Yes, you need to find an apartment and get settled so you can get on with your life. But even before identifying a doctor or a dentist—unless you are on the verge of having a heart attack or need a root canal—you’d be well advised to find a café and make it your own.

Story "Ducasse BUZZ" Authored By "Margaret Kemp" @ 04 Jul 2009 10:57 p.m. (PREMIUM)

“Sharing knowledge is not just sharing for the sake ot it, it's also sharing to keep the knowledge alive. We have to open our doors to all those who love cooking”, said Alain Ducasse one day last week, shortly after Ecole de Cuisine Alain Ducasse launched. The man's a marvel, runs 21 restaurants globally, and is now showing at Musee Grevin (See photo). “This has been a long-time dream, following the pro-cookery school in Argenteuil, I wanted to create a programme in tune with the times, adapted to individual wants and needs. I looked at about 200 locations before I found this”, he says.

Story "Cultural Differences – Italy, US and France" Authored By "John Talbott" @ 03 Jul 2009 10:49 a.m. (PREMIUM)

I’ll continue the theme I started last week by moving to Italy where I’m lucky enough to visit once or twice a year. I’m always struck by the cultural differences on setting foot inside the boot.

Story "Downsizing Your Wine Budget" Authored By "Bill Shepard" @ 03 Jul 2009 10:45 a.m. (PREMIUM)

One reads a lot about the “new normal” in spending patterns during this recession. It seems that most people have taken a good look at what seemed to be indispensable, from designer coffee to dinners out, and then cut back. Savings are in: credit card spending is out (at least temporarily). Many have said that they will not go back to old spending patterns when good times resume.

Story "2009 Tour de French Cuisine" Authored By "Claudine Hemingway Knapp" @ 03 Jul 2009 10:14 a.m.

With a little more then 24 hours until the start of the 2009 Tour de France, there are many things to still get done before we start the 2009 Tour de French Cuisine.

Story "A Newly-released Novel and an Interview with the Author " Authored By "Mj Roe" @ 02 Jul 2009 8:18 a.m.

It is rare to come across a novel that is so compelling and creatively developed that you wonder how the author conceived such a powerful idea. Mj Roë’s The Seven Turns of the Snail’s Shell is one of these books. Princess Diana has been killed in a terrible crash…or has she? From this question evolves an intricate story of unrequited love, deception, murder, and intrigue. The novel opens in Paris, revealed to us in all its beauty and its flaws.

Story "Ferran Adria in concert & Romantica Caffé BUZZ" Authored By "Margaret Kemp" @ 26 Jun 2009 8:51 p.m. (PREMIUM)

French composer Bruno Mantovani's a lucky man. First he snagged a table at El Bulli which as you know is lucking-out big time. The moment the first dish hit his palate, Mantovani's brain exploded in a way he could only describe as pure music, read seriously avant garde. Not unusual, the 34 year old Mantovani is a talented musician/composer who studied at the Paris Conservatoire and has already worked with the greats.

Story "From Sow's Ear to Silk Purse" Authored By "Cynthia David Price" @ 26 Jun 2009 1:27 p.m.

Seventeen years ago we decided to move to France, which was a reasonable enough decision considering Cynthia's ex had married a lovely French girl and wanted to take the kids to France with them, and the kids had said yes, but only if "mom and David can go."

Story "President Sarkozy makes a Bold Move that may have Negative Ramifications " Authored By "Karen Fawcett" @ 26 Jun 2009 1:21 p.m.

France’s President Sarkozy recently addressed a hotly contested social issue about whether or not Muslim women should be permitted to wear the traditional burqa that totally cloaks her body and essentially all of her face. His answer is no.

Story "Cultural differences – US and France" Authored By "John Talbott" @ 26 Jun 2009 1:12 p.m.

While there have been whole books written about cultural differences, most of my bicontinental friends regard them with scorn. It’s all too easy to mistake bustling brasserie waiters as brusque deliverers of food and long pauses after finishing dessert and coffee as inattentive service lapses but in this and succeeding essays, I’ll try to single out some of the things that strike me as interestingly different rather than misperceived attitudes.

Story "Vin Chai Moi, Bistrot de l'Avenue & Chalet des Iles BUZZ" Authored By "Margaret Kemp" @ 26 Jun 2009 1:06 p.m.

Luc Menier, former Guy Savoy Chef Sommelier, created his lovely 20-seater bistro/wine bar in the unlovely rue de Chine 20th. Food, served from the tiny open kitchen was excellent and, obviously, there were lots of surprises coté vins. Obscure cocktails, few could guess the ingredients, a wine list worthy of an ex-Savoy (Grand Cascade, Jules Verne, Ritz, London etc. sommelier).

Story "The Veyzere Valley" Authored By "Arnie Greenberg" @ 20 Jun 2009 11:06 a.m.

For those of you who want to glimpse the past, I recommend the valley of the Veysere River. Here the spectacular rock formations, the ancient caves and preserved cave drawings will inspire you to see more.

Story "Sarkozy’s New Vision for Paris — Is it Yours? " Authored By "Karen Fawcett" @ 20 Jun 2009 10:59 a.m.

Here comes French President Sarkozy heralding massive plans to construct a “Greater Paris.” His goal is to link the central city with the outskirts, where there has been incidents of civil unrest in recent years. During a nine-month-long competition, prestigious architects from around the world came up with ten presentations.

Story ""All Right?"" Authored By "Elias Jabbe" @ 20 Jun 2009 10:55 a.m.

Travel always brings opportunities to escape your reality...and feel clueless. Part of the appeal of going to a new place is the unpredictability of the environment. The feeling of being somewhere that challenges and surprises you is priceless and hard to reproduce. The standard patterns of life in your usual setting are replaced by immense curiosity and cluelessness. 'What lies around the corner?' and ‘Will the locals be able to give me directions?' Let alone, ‘Will they be able to understand my questions when I ask for directions and speak their language in my broken accent?'

Story "Liberté, Egalité ..." Authored By "Cathy Fiorello" @ 18 Jun 2009 9:44 a.m.

…and, most important, Fraternité, in San Francisco’s renowned French Quarter. If you’re thinking it’s too early to make a reservation for Bastille Day at one of the cafés or bistros on Belden Place and the surrounding French-flavored areas— trust me, it’s not.

Story "Dresden" Authored By "Jean and Peter Richards" @ 17 Jun 2009 10:03 a.m.

It’s been 64 years and Dresden is still rising from the ashes of the Allied bombing that obliterated its core in February 1945. Buildings have vanished and people still leave to find work, but Dresden’s treasure has returned and what treasure it is.

Story "Ordering the Cheapest Wine on the Menu" Authored By "John Talbott" @ 17 Jun 2009 9:51 a.m.

With the turndown in the global economy, there have been news reports that people are both eating out less and cutting back on some items when they do eat out, for instance bottled water, expensive wine and dishes with supplemental charges. But long before that, I was dealing with cheapo wines.

Story "La Reserve Ramatuelle, Obamas' Eats & Les Crayeres Buzz" Authored By "Margaret Kemp" @ 13 Jun 2009 9:42 a.m.

Picture an unspoilt hilltop village called Ramatuelle, close enough to Saint Tropez to park the mega-yacht, far enough from the madding crowd to zen out when you want. Add a new Jean Wilmotte designed resort and spa, Les Villas de la Reserve Ramatuelle, just 2km from Pampelonne plage, awaits. Heaven or what?

Story "The Obama Family Comes to France" Authored By "Karen Fawcett" @ 13 Jun 2009 9:16 a.m.

Eighty million people can’t be wrong since that's how many came to France last year. And France must be doing something right. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the country leads the world in attracting foreigner visitors. Some people may simply be passing through on the way to final destinations because of France's central European location and airlines using Paris as a hub. But many people stay.

Story "Are you ready for the Tour de France? " Authored By "Claudine Knapp" @ 13 Jun 2009 9:04 a.m.

It is less than a month away, to that great holiday that is known as the Tour de France. Well maybe it is just a holiday in my house. It only happens once a year and is said to be the largest and most difficult sporting event in the world. What other sporting event can you stand on the side of the road and see some of the fittest athletes’ race by you so close you can touch them, and do this for free. Twenty one days of grueling and amazing stages that run all over France and then ends on the Champs Elysees. But this is much more than a bike race and watching guys ride around on their bikes and a lot of people don’t really understand it, or my fascination with it. I have to admit that I first watched it years ago quite by accident.

Story "Boulles …A French Passtime " Authored By "Arnie Greenberg" @ 13 Jun 2009 8:48 a.m.

Here in Canada we spent hours ‘pitching horseshoes”. In Italy they play Bocce. The British play lawn bowling. But in France, Boulles or Petanque rules the day. It’s seen on quiet streets, in parks (where special areas are set out) or back yards. There is a degree of skill involved as a player tosses a ball underhanded with an arc to make it land softly. Closest to the tiny cochonnet wins points.

Story "The Tip" Authored By "Joseph Lestrange" @ 13 Jun 2009 8:38 a.m.

I guess if the waiter appeared wearing a pink tutu, I would be more surprised, but this gets my attention and my adrenalin. The man speaking to me is not a complete stranger: we’ve probably seen each other a dozen or two times in the last couple of months and more often than not nodded, but that’s the alpha and the omega of it. We are one another’s supernumeraries, the spear-carriers in the other guy’s opera, regulars in this neighborhood café. We come here, nod back and forth the way the other regulars do, and continue our lives in silence. It’s the French way.

Story "Eating at home - II (and in your rental apartment as well)" Authored By "John Talbott" @ 13 Jun 2009 8:27 a.m.

This week, I’ll reveal my secrets of the quick and dirty meals that visiting tourists think are just like the real thing but which constitute the moral equivalent of the French “I Hate to Cookbook.” If you’ve rented an apartment and want not to cook but bluff cooking, here’s how.

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