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Welcome to the AT YOUR SERVICE Paris
Newsletter |
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What's new in Paris this November
It seems like it's beginning to look a
lot like Christmas a little early this
year. The white Christmas trees are
already in place at the Rond Point des
Champs- Elysées, the lights have been
strung on the trees lining the most
beautiful avenue in the world just
waiting to be lit up next week, fine
food emporiums are stocking up on foie
gras and truffles and holidays ads have
hit the airwaves. Yes, it seems a bit
early, but you know what? I love it!
Paris manages to be even more beautiful
during the holidays. This is when the
"city of light" shows off for all to
see.
We've put together a few holiday ideas
for you this month to ease you into the
spirit. Look for our holiday edition in
a couple of weeks for festive dining
ideas, French delicacies for your gift
shopping needs, and some local
traditions you might like to adopt.
But before I get too far ahead of
myself, let me wish all our Americans
readers a very happy and peaceful
Thanksgiving. |
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The Hotel Meurice dresses up for the
holidays
Once again this holiday season, the
Hotel Meurice is inviting its neighbors,
the likes of Dior Joaillerie, Cartier,
Swarovski, Lladro, etc., to present
their most beautiful Christmas trees.
True works of art, these original
creations will be on display in the
various salons of the Hotel Meurice,
located on the elegant rue de Rivoli.
Decked out in silk, crystal or
porcelain, these Christmas trees are
sure to amuse the holiday reveler in
each of us. You might even take home a
few ideas for your own tree.
From December 8th to January 4th.
Hotel Meurice
228, rue de Rivoli, Paris, 1st
Tel: 01 44 58 10 10
Here is another reason to get over to
the Meurice; Yannick Alleno. After
bringing two Michelin stars to the Muses
restaurant, not to mention the countless
awards bestowed upon him, Alleno earns
his spot among the great names in French
cuisine. It appears that this young
chef, a mere 34 years old, has finally
found the location best suited to his
talent.
Surrounded by marble, gilded ceilings
and mosaic flooring, Yannick Alleno
creates without limits, offering each
guest a remarkable tasting menu
comprised of no less than seven dishes.
You can start with a “Royale” chicken
breast stuffed with foie gras and topped
with a delicate horseradish sauce then
proceed to a lobster in Château Chalon
wine and a walnut emulsion, followed by
violet figs roasted in aged Port served
with a saffron frozen yogurt. The
cuisine is neo-classic, the experience
is unforgettable. While you would expect
nothing less at the Meurice, the arrival
of Alleno takes the hotel into true
world-class status.
Closed Saturday lunch and Sunday
Lunch from 12 – 2:30, Dinner 7 – 10:30
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Commemorate the Louisiana Purchase
Bicentennial
On April 30th, 1803, the Louisiana
Purchase was signed on rue des
Petits-Champs, the site of the current
National Library. The fact that the
signed treaty didn’t make it back to the
states until the autumn of the same year
gives us all the opportunity to
celebrate the bicentennial of possibly
the most significant real estate treaty
in history throughout the year.
On this side of the Atlantic a number of
events have been planned in
commemoration of the historic event. The
France-Louisiana Franco-American
Association in conjunction with the Mona
Bismarck Foundation is presenting an
exhibit of paintings, lithographs, and
photographs as well as original
documents graciously provided by the
French Foreign Ministry.
If there has ever been a time to rejoice
in the strong relations between the two
countries it is now.
From December 16th to February 28th
Mona Bismarck Foundation
34, avenue de New York, 16th
Tel : 01 47 23 38 88
Tuesday – Saturday, 10:30 – 6:30
Entrance is free
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Paris has 2 new hotels
Paris’ newest 4-star, boutique hotel, Le
Walt, has recently opened within walking
distance of the Eiffel Tower and Les
Invalides on the left bank. This
intimate, 25-room hotel offers visitors
the utmost in personalized attention in
a sophisticated setting. The furniture
is handmade in Italy, the floors are
parquet and the headboards are oversized
paintings by local artists. You will
want to come for the style and the
location but I am sure you’ll come back
for the exemplary service.
Be sure to stop into the restaurant, Le
Walt, even if you’re not staying at the
hotel. You will find innovative French
cuisine in a comfortably contemporary
environment. The lunch menu is well
worth the trip.
Hôtel Le Walt
37, avenue de la Motte Picquet
Paris, 7th
Tel: 01 55 33 16 55
Rates from 240 € for a double room
It’s rare to be able to announce two new
hotels in one newsletter. Six weeks ago
the Plaza Paris Vendôme opened its doors
just behind the Tuileries Gardens. The
hotel is a marvel in modern comforts;
non-smoking rooms, high-speed internet
access, plasma TV screens, while at the
same time echoing design touches from an
era gone by, namely the 1930’s.
If an afternoon of shopping in nearby
Place Vendôme leaves you worn out then I
suggest you seek refuge first in the
swimming pool outfitted in exotic wood
and natural lighting, then in the
slate-lined hamman. If you are still a
bit weary, give in to an invigorating
massage in the health club.
And if all this isn’t enough to convince
you to check into the Plaza Paris
Vendôme, then I will have to entice you
with the restaurant. The current trend
in Paris hotels that I mentioned last
month continues at the Plaza Vendôme as
renowned Paris chef Alain Dutournier, of
Carré des Feuillants fame, takes over
the kitchen at Pinxo, the hotel's
restaurant with it’s own entrance on rue
d’Alger. Taking its name from a Catalan
expression meaning “to nibble”, it’s not
surprising that Pinxo (pronounced
pin-tcho) combines the laid-back
ambiance of a tapas bar with an edgy,
contemporary Parisian restaurant.
Come for the great rooms, the soothing
spa, the fabulous restaurant or the
Chinese lacquered bar. But by all means
come to the new Plaza Paris Vendôme.
Plaza Paris Vendôme
4, rue du Mont Thabor, Paris, 1st
Tel : 01 40 20 20 00
Rooms from 480 €
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The Latest Restaurant News
One of the most talked about restaurant
openings of the season isn’t in fact an
opening but re-opening. New owners,
Gérard Depardieu, France’s cinematic
legend and his longtime companion and
former Chanel muse, Carole Bouquet have
re-opened La Fontaine Gaillon to rave
reviews. The restaurant is not only
chic, in fact very chic, as one would
expect nothing less from Carole Bouquet
who was in charge of the décor but
better still, it is pleasant. The tables
are well spaced and the chairs are
invitingly comfortable. Laurent Audiot
is in the kitchen turning out grand
classics such as duck terrine in aspic,
Depardieu’s recipe and a sinful melting
chocolate cake. The restaurant also
highlights the wines produced by both
owners as well as associate Bernard
Magrez, well-known Bordeaux vintner.
La Fontaine Gaillon
Place Gaillon, Paris 2nd
Tel : 01 47 42 63 22
Closed weekends
Count on 70 € per person, without wine
One address covers both opening and
closing categories. Sora Lena, a
fashionable Italian restaurant has
opened in what had been the very show
biz Coco et sa Maison. The new, Sora
Lena, which is owned by the same team as
La Cafetière, one of my all-time
favorite restaurants in Paris, serves a
classic fare that you never tire of.
Yes, the tiramisu is that good!
Sora Lena
18, rue Bayen, Paris 17th
Tel: 01 45 74 73 73
Count on 50 € per person, without wine
Also note:
Bindi, the fabulous Indian restaurant on
avenue Franklin Roosevelt, has closed
its doors after only one year. Gilles Le
Gallès’s Aristippe, located behind the
Louvre also closed recently after
suffering one too many bad reviews.
And finally, Coffee Parisien, Paris’
take on a NY diner, has recently opened
a third location in Neuilly. Now I won’t
have to go so far when I crave Eggs
Benedict on a Sunday morning. (46, rue
de Sablonville, Neuilly-sur-Seine)
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