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Hidden flavours of Paris
The secret patisserie – Gérard Mulot
Gérard Mulot is a splendid patisserie and traiteur in St-Germain. You can’t miss it – just look for the white awnings and the imposing towers of macarons in the window – but you’ll smell it before you see it. The scent of melted butter wafts dwn the block. Inside, the first thing that hits you in colour: jewel-bright strawberries on fruit tars and patisserie boxes in pistachio, lemon and Gérard Mulot’s signature pink.
Eiffel Tower
It’s not far from the Jardin du Luxembourg, so you can pick up all you need for a picnic. A sunny day in St-Germain with treats from Gérard Mulot – life doesn’t get any better.
- Jeremy Lee, head chef of London’s Blueprint Cafe
The secret bar – La Cagnotte de Belleville
La Cagnotte de Belleville (13 Rue Jean-Baptiste Dumay, 75020) is extremely scruffy but perfectly Parisian. Open from 7am to 2am, La Cagnotte is a true neighbourhood bar. You get workmen grabbing a lightning-quick espresso and mums with prams in the mornings, and artists and musicians with all the time in the world eking out their café au lait, pastis or panaché (shandy)in the day. Later, the crowd gets very hip as people chatter, dream, smoke and drink to loud music – a lot of rock, and The Stones, The Smiths and The Velvet Underground. Over it all can be heard (owner) Charlie’s laughter; a huge bark that starts as quickly as it ends.
- Trish Deseine, food writer and cook
The secret cheese shop – Fromagerie Trotté
Fromagerie Trotté (97 Rue St Antoine, 75004) is a tiny little shop in the Marais. Two people can barely stand side by side in there, but thatj’s part of its quirky charm. The owner, Pascal Trotté, sells a very personal selection of artisan cheeses, stacked on shelves lining both sides of the narrow space. He specialises in goat’s cheese – the scent hits you the moment you open the door. You get lots of locals popping in for a small piece of cheese for lunch, as well as people from much further afield who come because they know about cheese. The shop may be tiny, but there’s a cellar on site: Trotté is an expert affineur (a specialist in maturing and ripening).
- Sheila Dillon, present of BBC Radio 4’s The Food Programme
The secret restaurant – Benoit
I’ve been eating at Benoit for 25 years. It’s an old brasserie in Les Halles, open for nearly a century. The portions and the quality were, and still are, phenomenal. They always slap big hunks of pâté down on the table with the bread. The puddings at Benoit are classics (oeufs à la neige – meringues floating in vanilla custard – and crème brûlée): traditional, yes, but when they’re done properly, as they are at Benoit, they’re very hard to beat.
It’s a beautiful room – I love the intricate mosaic floor and brass rails. My last visit was in January this year. I still have the snails, and this time I followed them with a little ragoût of cockscombs, kidneys and veal sweetbreads: stunning.
- Michel Roux Jr, chef-patron of London restaurant Le Gavroche
The secret cafe – Café Cambronne
Café Cambronne (5 Place Cambronne, 75015) is a typical Parisian cafe. There are very few reservations – it’s not that kind of place. It’s mostly walk-ins and regulars. There are only ever two or three waiters serving the whole cafe, running around looking after everyone. I love the hectic feel, with clattering of pans and shouting emanating from the open kitchen. It’s quite a moody spot, with its dark green walls and burgundy leather seats. A long bar runs down one side of the cafe, where old men with their hats pulleddown sit, day in and day out, sipping their beer.
I love the Toulouse sausages with lentils, the snails and the classic, well-dressed bistro salads. The steaks are outstanding, and a giant, well-aged rump steak with sauce au poivre is very good value. In the summer, the terrace is a great spot to sit in the evening, when the Place Cambronne is lit up with fairy lights.
- Lee Bennett, head chef at Le Pont de la Tour in London
The secret market – Rue Mouffetard
Rue Mouffetard in the 5th arrondissement is home to the best street market in Paris. If you’re looking for ‘old Paris’ – that romantic ideal of cobbled streets and bustling markets – this is the place to go. You know you’re on the right track when you start to smell roast chicken, as the scent filters through all the twisting little streets. When you get to the market, you realise why – the chicken guy has maybe 50 chickens roasting on his spits.
It’s very working class, definitely not a destination market like le Rungis. You’ll see housewives and chefs from the nearby restaurants shopping for the day’s ingredients. It’s also very regional - farmers come to the city from all over and sell their produce on different stalls. There’s a little bar à vin on the street, called Le Verre à Pied, where you can stop for an apéritif and a piece of charcuterie.
- Anthony Demetre, head chef and co-owner of Arbutus and Wild Honey
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Masters of Photography: Brassai
about 1 year ago - 2 comments
“When you meet the man you see at once that he is equipped with no ordinary eyes.” Brassai (pseudonym of Gyula Halász) – 9 September 1899–8 July 1984 – was a Hungarian photographer, sculptor, and filmmaker who rose to international fame in France in the 20th century.
Gyula (Jules) Halász (the Western order of his name) was born in Brassó, Transsylvania, Kingdom of Hungary (since 1920 Brașov), in Romania, to an Armenian mother and a Hungarian father. He grew up speaking Hungarian. When he was three, his family lived in Paris for a year, while his father, a professor of French literature, taught at the Sorbonne.
As a young man, Gyula Halász studied painting and sculpture at the Hungarian Academy of Fine Arts (Magyar Képzőművészeti Egyetem) in Budapest. He joined a cavalry regiment of the Austro-Hungarian army, where he served until the end of the First World War.
In 1920, Halász went to Berlin, where he worked as a journalist for the Hungarian papers Keleti and Napkelet. He started studies at the Berlin-Charlottenburg Academy of Fine Arts (Hochschule für Bildende Künste).
There he became friends with several older Hungarian artists and writers, including the painters Lajos Tihanyi and Bertalan Pór, and the writer György Bölöni, each of whom later moved to Paris and became part of the Hungarian circle.
In 1924, Halász moved to Paris, where he would live the rest of his life. To learn the French language, he began teaching himself by reading the works of Marcel Proust. He soon became friends with the American writer Henry Miller, and the French writers Léon-Paul Fargue and Jacques Prévert.
Halász’s job and his love of the city, whose streets he often wandered late at night, led to photography. He first used it to supplement some of his articles for more money, but rapidly explored the city through this medium, in which he was tutored by his fellow Hungarian André Kertész. He later wrote that he used photography “in order to capture the beauty of streets and gardens in the rain and fog, and to capture Paris by night.” Using the name of his birthplace, Gyula Halász went by the pseudonym “Brassai,” which means “from Brassó.”
Brassai captured the essence of the city in his photographs, published as his first collection in 1933 book entitled Paris de nuit (Paris by Night). His book gained great success, resulting in his being called “the eye of Paris” in an essay by his friend Henry Miller. In addition to photos of the seedier side of Paris, Brassai portrayed scenes from the life of the city’s high society, its intellectuals, its ballet, and the grand operas. He had been befriended by a French family who gave him access to the upper classes. Brassai photographed many of his artist friends, including Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Alberto Giacometti and several of the prominent writers of his time, such as Jean Genet and Henri Michaux.
Brassai’s photographs brought him international fame. In 1948 he had a one-man show in the United States at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York City, which traveled to the George Eastman House in Rochester, New York and the Art Institute of Chicago, Illinois. MOMA exhibited more of Brassai’s works in 1953, 1956, and 1968.
In 1956, Brassai directed a film Tant qu’il y aura des bêtes (As long as there will be animals), shot at the Paris Vincennes Zoo. It won the “Most Original Film” award that year at the Cannes Film Festival. In the 1970s, he received French national awards for his artistic contributions and especially his photography.
Brassai wrote 17 books and numerous articles, including the 1948 novel Histoire de Marie, published with an introduction by Henry Miller.
Brassai died on July 8, 1984 in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes in the south of France, and was interred in the Cimetiére du Montparnasse in Paris. The copyright representative for the Estate of Brassai is the French photography agency, Réunion des Musées Nationaux (RMN).
Franţa. Sute de mii de oameni au protestat, în peste 200 de oraşe, faţă de creşterea vârstei de pensionare
about 1 year ago - No comments
Sute de mii de francezi au protestat din nou, în peste 200 de oraşe, faţă de creşterea vârstei de pensionare de la 60 la 62 de ani. Manifestaţiile au fost, în general, paşnice, dar câteva au fost urmate de violenţe provocate de aşa-zişi militanţi anticapitalişti.
Protest
Haosul a pus stăpânire pe bulevardele din Paris, după o manifestaţie paşnică la care, potrivit sindicatelor, au luat parte peste trei sute de mii de oameni. Zeci de tineri violenţi au început să răstoarne pubelele şi să-i provoace pe poliţişti.
Tinerii, care se declarau militanţi împotriva capitalismului, şi-au descărcat furia pe vitrinele magazinelor şi băncilor. Manifestanţii mai liniştiţi au încercat să-i calmeze, dar nu au reuşit.
Poliţia era pregătită pentru asemenea incidente care se produc la aproape toate marile acţiuni de protest. Militanţii turbulenţi au fost încătuşaţi de poliţişti în civil pe care nimic nu-i putea deosebi, până atunci, de demonstranţi.
Peste 30 de oameni au fost reţinuţi la Paris şi Saint-Nazaire. În general, însă, manifestaţiile s-au desfăşurat fără incidente, cu mai puţini participanţi decât la alte acţiuni similare. Sindicatele denunţă legea care creşte vârsta de pensionare pentru a echilibra bugetul asigurărilor sociale. La proteste s-au alăturat partidele de stânga, studenţii şi chiar elevii de liceu.
Reforma pensiilor a declanşat şi greve în transporturi, rafinării şi alte sectoare. La Marsilia, gunoaiele nu au mai fost adunate de câteva zile. Toate cele 12 rafinării din Franţa se află în grevă, iar zece au oprit total activitatea. Sute de benzinării duc lipsă de carburant. O nouă zi de proteste este programată la 19 octombrie, cu o zi înaintea votului final asupra reformei pensiilor.
10 Romantic Restaurants in the U.S. – Part VIII
about 1 year ago - No comments
VIII. Spiaggia
Spiaggia
As Chicago’s only four-star Italian restaurant as rated by the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Magazine, Spiaggia offers an unparalleled fine dining experience. Chef/Partner Tony Mantuano, James Beard 2005 Best Chef Midwest and his team deliver world-class Italian cuisine . Nominated for Outstanding Service in the U.S. by the James Beard Foundation in 2005 and awarded by Zagat as “Chicago’s Top Italian Restaurant”, Spiaggia offers an inventive wine selection and a spectacular view from a dramatic dining room. The dining rooms feature handsome dark wood wainscoting and carefully selected art pieces. The light is soft , glows a little and is very welcoming. The servers are efficient and well seasoned. La Spiaggia’s culinary individuality includes the dedication to serving the finest and freshest foods available, creating seasonal menus and a passion for high level consistency.
The most recent Zagat survey called its “interesting, flavorful” fare a “guaranteed-great” “special night out” and it was selected to the “Top Ten at the Jersey Shore” in 2002, 2003 & 2006 by The Artful Diner. On his Website, he called La Spiaggia “particularly special, as it is an eatery to which I would gladly return during any season of the year.”
10 Romantic Restaurants in the U.S. – Part VII
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VII. One if by Land, Two if by Sea
One if by Land, Two if by Sea
Although there are dozens of restaurants in New York City that are prime locations for romance, this charming lower Manhattan jewel turns up on almost everyone’s list. Chef Samuel Freund relies on area farmers to supply him with fresh ingredients for his prix fixe dinners and chef’s tastings. Check out our interview with Sam Freund to see even more reasons to check it out.
“Definitely a special place for special occassions. It was expensive, but we came on a bloomspot deal which made it much more economical.
Many people have raved about the beef wellington and it is hands down, the best in NYC.
However every dish aside from the wellington was also executed perfectly”- said a customer.
10 Romantic Restaurants in the U.S. – Part VI
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VI. Fleur de Lys Restaurant
Fleur de Lys
Fleur de Lys in San Francisco, California, along with its sister restaurant in Las Vegas, Nevada, are two of the premier French restaurants in the United States. Chef Hubert Keller has transformed Fleur de Lys into what is perhaps the most romantic restaurant in San Francisco. Despite a devastating fire in 2001, the restaurant bounced back into a more spectacular and opulent eatery than before, and it is a culinary destination for lovers throughout the Bay area. Make it a weekend trip, head to Fleur de Lys and then take a car to Sonoma to make it a weekend you will never forget.
Paris Hilton + Lindsay Lohan = XOXO
about 1 year ago - No comments
Yeah… I’m pretty sure Paris isn’t doing this because she wants all the publicity Lindsay will get her, because she is the one who is still as famous/infamous as she used to be… and I’m Mrs. Claus, Santa Claus. So the story goes like this:
Lindsay & Paris
Paris Hilton has mended her friendship with Lindsay Lohan and is trying to help the troubled actress get her life back together! The two have had a tumultuous relationship over the years, but pals say the 29-year-old blonde socialite is deeply concerned for her pal and is determined to help her.
“Paris is worried that Lindsay has hit rock bottom and doesn’t want something terrible to happen to her,” an insider divulged. “She wants to put the past behind them. Paris texted Lindsay, and they’ve talked. Both she and Paris promised to make a fresh start. Paris definitely understands what Lindsay is going through,” said the insider. “She’s been to jail and wants Lindsay to get help before she ends there or somewhere worse.”
10 Romantic Restaurants in the U.S. – Part V
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V. Everest Restaurant
Everest
Everest is a New-French restaurant in Chicago, located on the 40th floor of One Financial Place. It is owned by Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, but the executive chef Jean Joho has exclusive creative control. The decor is evocative of an aristocratic French club, circa the 1920s, with large tables adorned with white linen. Artful touches are in an art-deco style, further evoking the 1920s feel, enhanced by the pseudo-leopard print carpet. The restaurant’s tables are decorated with bronze statues by artist Ivo Soldini, while paintings by Adam Siegel and sculptures by Virginio Ferrari adorn the dining room. The extensive wine list offers more than 1,700 selections, and it has won international acclaim from The New York Times, Saveur, USA Today, Wine Spectator and Decanter, among others, for its depth and the largest selection of Alsace wines in the world.
10 Romantic Restaurants in the U.S. – Part IV
about 1 year ago - No comments
IV. Dovetail
Dovetail
The name of owner-chef John Fraser’s restaurant is no accident: everything about the restaurant integrates fluidly. The warm space, painted in dulcet tones and quieted by carpeting, coddles visitors—including the occasional celebrity diner—from the moment they arrive. Fraser’s cooking philosophy of focusing on ingredients and seasonality was influenced by traveling through France and Spain, and his creativity provides a fine foil for his classical technique. Appetizers are beautifully plated—a salad composed of slices of Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, Manchego cheese and Serrano ham resembles a savory still life.
Entrées are on the hearty side, and tableside presentations are not uncommon. A cheese cart and Armagnac cart further enhance the experience. Amanda Reed oversees a wide-ranging selection of American and European wines and an impressive collection of sherries. Service is attentive and knowledgeable without hovering.
Cărți la bar, bere la bibliotecă!
about 1 year ago - No comments
Pentru cei care expresia “am venit să citesc o carte” însemnă “merg la o bere” nu mai are niciun strop de ironie. Și asta pentru că la Târgu Mureș a început să se îmbine pasiunea pentru beletristică cu plăcerea de a sorbi dintr-o bere, chiar într-un club din municipiu. Club Office sau Clubul Presei, dupa cum îl știu mulți târgumureșeni, are toate premisele să devină o bibliotecă, unde poți să te afunzi duminică într-o carte, să mai sorbi dintr-o bere rece, să ciulești urechea la ce zice amicul de lângă tine și totodată să asculți muzică.
De două ori pe lună poți să recomanzi o carte cuiva și să primești alta în schimb. Poți să faci și schimb de impresii pe care ți le-a lăsat volumul recomandat. Aceste cărți se recuperează de la bar, așa că dacă mergi să bei o cafea poți să și returnezi cartea.
Pe scurt, este o întâlnire pentru a schimba cărți între participanți și a discuta într-un cadru cât mai liber și cât mai puțin rigid, la un ceai, un suc sau o bere despre cărți, autori, edituri și nu numai.
“S-ar putea numi la fel de bine. Spațiul unde se adună participanții, de data aceasta The Office Club, unde așezați cuminți cu cărțile pe masă, toată lumea poate cerceta ce au adus ceilalți și, astfel, se vor lega conversații. Conversații ce se doresc a deveni, de la ediție la ediție, din ce în ce mai animate. Fiecare e liber să intre în discuții sau doar să stea și să asculte. Oricine poate veni la aceste întâlniri și e important de înțeles că nu e vorba de un cerc închis în care toată lumea se cunoaște cu toată lumea. Se poate participa și fără cărți, doar pentru a cunoaște lume nouă. De asemenea, se poate veni și pleca oricând și participanții vor putea lua cărți, chiar dacă nu au adus niciuna cu ei. Desigur pentru cine dorește, acestea se pot recupera deoarece circuitul cărților pe la cititori va fi gestionat de către organizatori. Trebuie doar să vă treceți numele și achizițiile pe o foaie de hârtie”, spune administratorul clubului, Cornel Briscaru.
Acest proiect a fost inițiat de portalul www.bookblog.ro
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Lecturi urbane în autobuz. Grupul de “anormal de normali”, inițiatori ai proiectului “Schimb de cărți”, de care v-am mai vorbit, dorește sa lanseze un nou proiect social, pentru promovarea cititului în Târgu Mureș. ”Lecturi Urbane” este un proiect de implicare civică care are scopul de a promova lectura în locurile publice și în mijloacele de transport în comun – în particular. Actul cititului în general.
Mai exact, se va stabili o dată în care “anormalii” se vor plimba cu autobuzele locale, citind timp de o oră sau două. Momentan se caută alți “anormal de normali”, care doresc să se implice în organizarea evenimentului.
Cei care doresc să se implice în acest proiect pot trimite un mail la adresa lvmro@yahoo.com
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Între timp ne vedem în The Office Club, la o nouă întâlnire “Schimb de Cărți”.
10 Romantic Restaurants in the U.S. – Part II
about 1 year ago - No comments
II. Auberge du Soleil
The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil pays tribute to its legacy with an award-winning menu and wine list.
Auberge du Soleil
Our culinary staff’s inspired cuisine reflects the natural diversity and rich ingredients of Napa Valley and draws from regional produce, accented with Mediterranean flavors. Sommelier Kris Margerum’s wine list, the largest and most extensive in the valley, showcases the very best from neighboring vineyards.
The affable waitstaff is attentive but not overbearing, always at the ready but respectful of diners’ privacy. Moreover, they are well-versed in both the cuisine from chef Robert Curry and the globetrotting wine list (local wines well-represented too, of course) and how to pair these elements such that each are showcased at their finest. Their recommendations will not disappoint, nor will the evening ambience, which is bolstered by the western setting sun that bathes the valley in amber light.
