Finding good Japanese restaurants that are not overpriced is not so easy in Paris and I was very excited when my blond Australian friend « who speaks Japanese fluently » took me to Kura, the ugliest looking place in the 16 th arrondissement near La Muette. Well it was a major surprise, for the food was delicious and the … Read More
Bistro Volnay is excellent again
I was introduced to Bistro Volnay, on rue Volney, by a friend who used to live at Hotel Park Hyatt Vendôme, in the back of it. It had become his “cantine” and I profited from it. He has left the hotel and the bistro has changed hands, but we went back anyway, on pilgrimage. And it was a great success. The … Read More
Popelini, a very light sin
Having lunch with a very thin friend, who eat nothing, is always a little frustrating for me and after resisting taking a dessert after two big dishes, I ran to three different galleries including the very pretty « Laubiès » exhibition at galerie Alain Margaron, and the classic and excellent « Arman » show at Galerie Templon. This strenuous afternoon … Read More
Starting the year in beautiful Umbria
I could not have started the year better than at Villa della Genga, built in 1673 in the medieval village of Poreta, half way between Assisi, Perugia and Spoleto. The olive trees and lentil agricultural estate owned by Alessandra and Paolo Montani, was once inhabited by Pope Leon XII and it now houses a small “village hotel”, entirely renovated twelve years … Read More
L’Alcazar (once more) revisited
L’Alcazar used to be a naughty cabaret where Jean-Marie Rivière created humorous and chic transvestite shows in 1968 until his death in 1996. I remember going there when I was 17, and loving the transgression and quality of the singers. In 1998, Sir Terence Conran, then at the hight of his Habitat and Conran fame, transformed the spot into a posh … Read More
A pillow for foodies
I was expecting to see a huge crust pyramide being brought on stage at Théâtre Edouard VII, and so I was slightly disappointed when I saw a very large pâté en croûte being carried in the adjacent restaurant. But my bad mood only lasted a few moments until I tried the « Oreiller de la Belle Aurore », a dish … Read More
Cooking, Italian style
It said 6.30 to 9 pm and the idea of watching a famous young Italian chef, Deborah Corsi, cook at Hotel de Gallifet, one of Paris’ most beautiful private house on rue de Grenelle, was exciting enough. But what really happened that night went way beyond. I entered a fabulous stage, where preparing gnocchi’s became a feast as beautiful as … Read More
Bistro Urbain, a cool menu and beautiful girls!
It was a nice surprise, since going to one of your friends restaurant can be a real disappointment, but this summer outing at Bistro Urbain recommended by my young friend Matthias Weber, was a real delight. It is fashionably located in the 10 th near Gare de l’Est on the rue du faubourg St Denis which is a bobo destination … Read More