Sophie's blog

2008-05-19T15:57:00.004+02:00

Juste la fin du monde de Jean-Luc Lagarce

La comédie Française
2, rue Richelieu
75001 Paris
0 825 101 680

Louis is going to die. He decides to go back to his mother's house he has left for a long time, during which he has only given news by postcards. He wants to announce his next death. His brother, Antoine, his sister in law, Catherine, that he has never met and Suzanne, his young sister, are also there for this particular moment. But resentment, rancour, old ghosts re-emerge with the return of the prodigal son. Already, Louis has to leave without having been able to tell them that he is going to die.

Jean-Luc Lagarce (1957-1995) is the contemporary author whose plays are played the most in France nowadays. Theatral director of classical texts as well as his own plays, he achieved recognition. Since he died, his literary work (twenty-five plays, three tales, a booklet of opera) met an enlarging public and critical success; it is translated into twenty-five languages.

His writing is particular, nervous. The direction, made of close-ups, is original and interactive. And of course, the actors are great. I particularly appreciated Antoine, the brother played by Laurent Stocker, nominated to the Molière 2008, whose anger is contained, his wife Catherine and the small sister Suzanne, very energetic. One has to note that the play received the Molière 2008 for the creation in the field of public theatre.

Florence

2008-04-22T14:04:00.009+02:00

Restaurant "Le Régent"
68-70, rue Lafayette
75 009 Paris
00 33 (0)1 47 70 47 12
Metro Cadet (line 7)

This restaurant wants to show that it’s elegant and classy. At least, that’s the impression it’s trying to give.
Does the staff need to be unpleasant and haughty to stick to the luxury of the place ?

It’s weird to say so, but the only waitress which seemed nice to me was the one who made a mistake when she informed my friend about the ingredients of her salad (which she did not eat) and that I saw, another time, spill a drink on a client’s back.

Each time, having decided that I would not go anymore, I let myself be convinced to go back there, but for one reason: food ! Because indeed, you can eat well there. Well … especially if you take pasta. It’s delicious, especially the one with carbonara sauce. They have a little je-ne-sais-quoi which makes the difference and makes me like them a lot.

I won’t praise the salads as much. They are expensive for their quantity (no sauce or great ingredients). Green salad, tomato, avocado in a tiny plate as a main course… for 9 euros ?! For this price, you may as well eat a pizza. Which I can’t recommend since I never tasted them.

Finally, regarding the desserts, it’s unpredictable: one time the dessert of the day is shamefully small and another time it’s particularly stodgy. They already had me with the prices. You are not necessarily brought the menu for desserts so when you get the bill, you can have surprises. However, they are really good, like the chocolate fondant which I enjoyed eating.

To finish, last time I went there, I was kept waiting for more than 15 minutes at the bar to pay the bill. The credit card device did not work. The waiter had just set up a new one at lunch time:Great idea for a restaurant ! Luckily, the person who was with me lent me cash, otherwise, I would still be there…

No need to specify that I won’t go back there, this time.

Mélanie

2008-04-18T10:08:00.003+02:00

PDG (Petit Déjeuner Goûter)

20, rue de Ponthieu
75 008 Paris
00 33 (0)1 42 56 19 10

Metro Franklin Roosevelt (line 1 and 9)

Close to the Champs Elysées, this small American restaurant serves us very good hamburgers. Imagination decoration is there very nice and from 8:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, we have the right to Jazz gypsy music. My hamburger was very copious and home made french fries delicious.

Florence

2008-03-19T17:29:00.001+01:00

Restaurant «Les Copains»
8, rue de Chateaudun
75 009 Paris
Tel: 33 (0)1 48 78 54 86
Metro Cadet (line 7) or Notre Dame de Lorette (line 12)

If you are looking for a traditional quality cooking in an unpretentious place, this restaurant is for you !

Located on the rue de Chateaudun, this restaurant isn’t much to look at but suggests to eat well (and by “well” I also mean “diet and balanced”) without getting ruined.

The 10 € menu enables to have a dish and a dessert. A la carte, the meal is more expensive, especially if you take a starter and end up with a dessert and a coffee. Meats are good quality and the waiters take into consideration the cooking which has been asked. The salads are very good, especially the gizzard salad. They are substantial, not easy, then, to eat it all. It’s a pity that the salads are not included in the menus.

I often have lunch in that restaurant but I particularly appreciate the meats (like the shallot flank meat) and basically all the desserts. They have the advantage of being diversified. There is fromage frais (with honey, it’s divine. Once, the boss even brought my table her husband’s jar of honey so that we taste) or the fruit salad (homemade) if we want to remain reasonable, but also desserts of the day among which very good pies (especially bilberry) and other pastries.

This restaurant is run by a family and the welcome is warm, especially when you become a regular. Other important detail: the service is quite fast, which enables not to have long lunch breaks.

Mélanie

2008-01-17T10:19:00.007+01:00

LES BELLES-SOEURS
In théatre Saint Georges until June 22th 2008

THEATRE SAINT GEORGES
51, rue St Georges
75 009 PARIS
Metro: Saint-Georges (line 12)
Reservation: 33 (0)1 48 78 63 47

Very funny this bedroom farce ! Very often, the audience bursts into laughter. Sometimes, you have trouble getting your breath back.

The play was written by Eric Assous whose CV is particularly abundant. The staging is simple and efficacious.

The actors are brilliant: Nicole is a silly fool but not that foolish and Talia is a real shrew but not that shrewish.

You've got it all: lies, adulteries, rivalries (all these words with a "s").

What an absolute scream !

Hervé the boss

2007-10-16T10:44:00.000+02:00

La Table des Oliviers 17ème
38, rue Laugier
75017 Paris
Tel : 01 47 63 85 51
http://www.latabledesoliviers.fr/sommaire-uk.html

Located in a side street of the 17th arrondissement, the restaurant “la Table des Olivier” offers a french south cuisine which awakens our papillae.

Before the diner, they proposes "tapenade" (black or greens blended olive to spread) and small crusts. It is so delightful to be in a restaurant which offers something to eat with your drink. It is so rare in Paris !!!!

In the 30€ menu, I loved the eggplant grilled with tomato accompanied with Parmesan. For the dish, I opted for a fried bass fillet with thyme. What a delight!!!! On the contrary, I was not mad on the dessert: kind of peaches in syrup, nothing transcendent.
If you like the french south cuisine or like to discover it, open the door of this nice restaurant, you will be warmly welcome and will have the chance to congratulate the Chef who comes in the dining room to know if everything is ok.

Florence
Hôtel Eiffel Capitol ***
9, rue Viala
75015 Paris
hoteleiffelcapitol@regetel.com
Tel : +33 (0)1 45 78 61 00

2007-10-05T14:28:00.001+02:00

Le Café Delmas 5th district
2 Place de la Contrescarpe
75005 Paris
Tel : 01.43.26.51.26
Métro: Place Monge (7) or Cardinal Lemoine (10)

Le Café Delmas is in the famous touristic Mouffetard district. There is a large terrace where you will be able to take a meal protected from the rain. I suggest you the menu at 12 euros (starter, main dish, dessert) because “A la carte” it is a bit expensive. I have taken an original and tasty Chinese salad but at 12€. The service is correct, it is a quite rare on this kind of district largely visited by our tourist friends.
+: Place, service
-: Prices

Hugues

Hôtel Des Nations Saint Germain

54, rue Monge

75005 PARIS

hoteldesnationssaintgermain@regetel.com

Tel: +33 (0)1 43 26 45 24

Métro: Place Monge (ligne 7) or Cardinal Lemoine (ligne 10)

2007-10-05T13:39:00.001+02:00

Canteen Bus 14th district
81, rue d'Alésia
75014 PARIS
Tel: 01 43 21 99 68
Métro: Alesia (4)

Yesterday, I went there with my friends. It's a little restaurant simple and nice spread over 2 floors. What you need to know is this restaurant is known to satisfy the client with one dish.

There are pasta, salads, meat, and stuff potatoes. Prices vary from 11€ to 13,5€. It's difficult maybe impossible to finish your dish, for desserts you have to come again. You can ask to take away your lefover dish they seems to be in the habit of it. Enjoy your meal.

Carolina

2007-09-26T13:47:00.001+02:00

DELAVILLE CAFE 10th district
34 Bd Bonne Nouvelle
75010 PARIS
Tel : 01 48 24 48 09
http://www.delavillecafe.com

I had lunch with a friend of mine at noon,at the Delaville cafe, adress that I found on Internet, and I wasn't very satisfied.
It starts with an icy welcome, it's about noon, I ask for a table for 2 in non smoker part, and a waitress which was on the stairs, answered, with her nose hidden in her puulover, that the service starts in 5 minutes.

So we direct to the dinning room she indicates, which was smelling cigarette smoke with ashtrays in all tables, we chose a place. In the end of the room, waiters which were having lunch, told me that the table we chose is for 4 and not 2, I know, but there is a nice seat.
So we change and go to a tiny table. A waiter comes, don't say hello and place the menu on the table. At this moment, we hesitate between stay and leave. We decided to try...

For the rest, it's good, plates are well prepared and served, I chose an antipasti with: dried tomatoes, pickled artichokes, grilled aubergine and courgette, rocket salad, parmesan, and a gressin with black olive tapenade. Not bad.

We don't have dessert but in the end we were disappointed and I doubt to come back despite of the good lunch I had.

Carolina

2007-09-24T16:11:00.000+02:00

Lina's (several adresses in Paris)

7 rue Lafayette
75009 Paris
Tel 01 53 20 98 20

All the Lina's are not equal....

This one is clean ( which is not always the case like Kleber which was really dirty last time I went in....), the dining room is clear, quiet and bigger compare to other Lina's.

The concept is always the same, all sandwiches are prepared on demand. I ate an egg and bacon sandwich (very tasty) I had a Steack and parmesan salad (too expensive for what it was 6.90 euros) and a fresh orange juice.

Sophie

2007-09-24T12:33:00.000+02:00

Le bistro La compagnie des crêpes 12ème
30/32 Cour St Emilion
75012 PARIS
Tel: 01 43 40 24 40
Metro: Cour st Emilion (line 14)

With numerous restaurants in "Bercy Village", it is not always easy to make your choice. In a sunny sunday, with much apetite, I settle at the terrasse located behind the main alley (which is more calm) without looking at the menu. The clients seems very satisfied, so I was in confidence. And I have no regrets, the menu was at 15€, with a cheese pie and a "boudin feuilleté aux pommes" (blood sausage) served with homemade purée. It was well served and well presented. The waiters seems very busy but they are pleasant. Enjoy your meal!!

Hugues
Hôtel Des Nations Saint Germain
54, rue Monge
75005 PARIS
hoteldesnationssaintgermain@regetel.com
Tel: +33 (0)1 43 26 45 24
Métro: Place Monge (ligne 7) ou Cardinal Lemoine (ligne 10)

2007-09-24T11:32:00.000+02:00

Le palais de la lune 15ème
110 boulevard de Grenelle
75015 PARIS
Tel: 01 45 77 15 44
Métro: Dupleix (6) ou La Motte Picquet Grenelle (6,8,10)

Despite bad reputation of chinese restaurants in Paris, I chance it in this little establishment on Grenelle boulevard. At first sight, nothing very exceptional: traditional asian decor, not always in good taste and without the usefull chinese music that use to be in this type of restaurant. There is no dirty aquarium with strange goldfishes.

Classical welcome: not very warm. I choose the 12€ menu: with nems for starters, almonds chicken with cantonese rice and lychees for dessert. They served me the famous chinese chips which were very crispy and delicious, which is a good thing. And fortunately, all the diner was good. Products are fresh and very tasty. So if you are a chinese food lover, I can advise you this little restaurant which isn't much to look at and you are very satisfied and with less prejudice about chinese restaurants.

Hugues
Hôtel Des Nations Saint Germain
54, rue Monge
75005 PARIS
hoteldesnationssaintgermain@regetel.com
Tel: +33 (0)1 43 26 45 24
Métro: Place Monge (ligne 7) ou Cardinal Lemoine (ligne 10)

2007-09-21T10:36:00.000+02:00

QUEENIE 8th district
COCKTAIL BAR & DINING
5 rue de Berri
75008 PARIS
TEL: 01 45 62 50 23
Open every days from 5pm
http://www.lequeenie.fr/

It seems that it is the new place to be in Paris. It is true that the atmosphere is very trendy: white, red, black colours, and very refined style with a long bar. The tables' layout is rather original, and it divided in 3 parts, there is the "chimney" area , the lounge, and the restaurant. The hostess in reception asks you mildly but firmly to leave your topcoats and others things in the cloakroom (1 € per article).

Then, we were a bit lost, the waiters are not hurry to show our seat. It was not very full (wednesday night!) but it seems that in the week end the place is full to bursting. The DJ select good music in a good noise level and later sound is too loud that we can't hear each other, maybe it's on purpose? About « cocktail and dining », the menu is not very original. If they have plenty of cocktails, which are very good,incidentally, the menu for dining is light, correct but not exceptional.

And what always irritates me so much: they serve nothing with the cocktails, not the slightest peanuts or others!!!!!!!! It is rather expensive of course (90.00 euro for 2 with 2 cocktails and a glass of wine, 2 dishes and 2 desserts). And you have to claim non stop the waiter for water, some bread, etc, etc. Rather hard finally.

Florence
Hôtel Eiffel Capitol ***
9, rue Viala
75015 Paris
hoteleiffelcapitol@regetel.com
Tel : +33 (0)1 45 78 61 00

2007-08-28T15:16:00.000+02:00

Bistrot Beaubourg 4th district
25, rue Quincampoix
75004 paris
tel : 01 42 77 48 02

Just minutes away from the George Pompidou centre, the Bistrot Beaubourg invites you to share a very tasty cooking in a relaxed atmosphere. If decoration is not very fashion, the atmosphere is warm and the cooking is not very expensive for the high quality. I appreciate a lot the wall of the restaurant covered with posters of theatre plays, which reminds us our cultural history. I shared a plate of fresh sardines, and chosed a sorrel salmon with spinaches. Delightful and very hearty. Atmosphere bistro and "du terroir" cuisine, it's at the bistro Beaubourg.

Florence
Hôtel Eiffel Capitol ***
9, rue Viala
75015 Paris
hoteleiffelcapitol@regetel.com
Tel : +33 (0)1 45 78 61 00
Fax : +33 (0)1 45 79 32 51

2007-08-28T15:09:00.001+02:00

FOUQUET'S LUCIEN BARRIERE

Hotel Bar 8th district
46, avenue Georges V
75008 PARIS
M° George V (line 1)

If you want to feel like a deluxe hotel client and do not want to pay for that, go to Georges V, Ritz or Crillon's bar.

I' ve tried the FOUQUETS LUCIEN BARRIERE one, and I've been seduced by the modern and very quiet terrace. The Bellini is 22 euros but it served with 3 pieces of cocktail snacks and also traditional peanuts and olives are served with all the cocktails....

Sophie

2007-08-28T14:45:00.001+02:00

Le loup blanc 2nd district
42 rue Tiquetonne
75002 PARIS
Metro: Les Halles (1, 4, 7, 14), Etienne Marcel (4)
http://www.loup-blanc.com/

In the Tiquetonne street, there is about 10 restaurants, but this one has to be known. Traditional and creative cooking, dishs are well served and made in quality. Oregano and curry chicken I've chose was served with divine creamed potatoes. Another time, I was walking in front of it, and the service was done in the street. The "le loup blanc" is now well known.

Yann
Hôtel EIFFEL CAPITOL***
9 Rue Viala - 75015 PARIS
Tél : +33 (0)1 45 78 61 00
Fax : +33 (0)1 45 79 32 51
E.mail : hoteleiffelcapitol@regetel.com

2007-08-28T13:50:00.000+02:00

Musée du quai Branly 7th district
37 quai Branly
75007 PARIS
Tel: 01 56 61 70 00
http://www.quaibranly.fr/

We can say that is an original museum very different of the numerous parisians ones. Accessible by metro at "Alma Marceau" stop, the Quai Branly wants to be unique. We enter in throught a garden conceived by the best botanists and on the platform we can observe this famous plant wall, however less bushy than the BHV (famous department store) one. The museum is divided in 4 continents: America, Oceania, Asia and Africa. The works are easy to access and invite to respect, journey, humility and knowledge.

+ America and Oceania department. Shop
- Approximate lighting

Yann
Hôtel Eiffel Capitol ***
9, rue Viala
75015 Paris
hoteleiffelcapitol@regetel.com
Tel : +33 (0)1 45 78 61 00
Fax : +33 (0)1 45 79 32 51

2007-08-21T13:23:00.000+02:00

Au pied de cochon 1st district
6, rue Coquillière
75001 Paris
tel : 01 40 13 77 00
http://www.pieddecochon.com/

This restaurant, located in Les halles, side of l’Eglise saint Eustace, is a true Parisian institution. Indeed, opened 24h / 24, this restaurant does not empty and knew kept the charm of the traditional restaurants. With his decoration a bit rococo, which plunged us in 1920’s.

If the pork is the main product of this establishment, shellfishes and crustacés also are. Service is attentive, the plate are very generous and it is far from trap to tourists would have been able to be. I deeply recommend you therefore this mythical restaurant, you will have an excellent diner.

Florence

Hôtel Eiffel Capitol ***
9, rue Viala
75015 Paris
hoteleiffelcapitol@regetel.com
Tel : +33 (0)1 45 78 61 00
Fax : +33 (0)1 45 79 32 51

2007-07-23T16:14:00.001+02:00

Batobus
8 stops to discover Paris
www.batobus.com

Yesterday, I decided to do a cruise on the Seine.

Several companies exists to do cruises. I selected batobus which permit, with the day pass, to stop where you want and you can go on board in the same stop or another one.

There is a good idea, not too expensive and change the visit of Paris.

Stops are in very touristique places: ( Eiffel Tower, Orsay Museum, Notre Dame, Louvre…)

Carolina

2007-07-23T16:00:00.001+02:00

L’ATELIER de Renault 8th district
53, avenue des Champs Elysées
75008 PARIS
Tel : 01 76 84 19 19
www.atelier-renault.com

Restaurant / Bar
From Sunday to thursday : 12h – 24h
Friday and saturday: 12h – 2h

A unique place in Paris in Champs Elysees. When you arrive on te ground floor, there are cars and sometimes formula 1 cars. The exhibitions changes regularly.

On the upstair floor, in a modern design, spacious and bright, there is the restaurant – bar. I prefere to be seat in the bridge, where the tables are behind each other. You haven't persons close to you, and you feel very isolated.

The menu is very attractive: starters, dishes, desserts, ice creams, and cocktails with and without alcohol. It's a surprise.

I chose tapas, with gaspacho very refreshing and delicious, with 2 breds with salmons and ham. It was very tasty and well presented.

I didn't resist to the ice cream, there are served in a big glass, i selected the one with red fruits, raspberry, cherry, blackcurrant, red fruits coulis, chantilly cream and grilles almonds.

Calm and relaxing atmosphere in this avenue swarming with people.

Carolina

2007-07-16T11:09:00.000+02:00

Saint Georges Tavern’s 9th district
46, rue du Faubourg Montmartre
75009 PARIS
Tel : 01 49 49 01 84
Metro : Grands Boulevards (8 – 9)

Saint Georges Tavern’s is a pub where we can watch rugby match, football game, formula 1 and tennis matches on big screen.

For lunch, the screens are switched on but there are not very noisy, so you can have lunch in a calm ambiance.

They propose a 10,50€ menu with starter + dish or dish + dessert, which is very correct. I choosed ricotta with basil, it was very fresh and original, and my friend choosed avoado salad with crab, very goos aswell and well served.

For dish we select beaf and french fries with shallot sauce. Everything was well served, and usually I don't like having lunch in pubs. The menu is in several languages which would please our foreign friends.

There are happy hours from 6.00pm to 9.00pm for beers and cocktails for 5€.

Carolina

2007-07-09T15:41:00.000+02:00

Le Djakarta Bali 1st district
9 rue Vauvilliers
75001 PARIS
Metro : Louvre (1,7) or Châtelet les Halles (1,7)
Tel : 01.45.08.83.11
http://www.djakarta-bali.com

Djakarta Bali...but we are in Paris, in centre of Paris, close to the Halles in Vauvilliers street.
We are in a indonesian atmosphere where you don't wait much and like in Chinese films, a dancer come to carry you in Bali... with extraordinay ambiance.
When you are installed, the show continue with another dancer....
You can choose between 3 menus from 25€, 30€ and 45€.
Waiters are dressed in traditional clothes. Be careful of spiced dishes.
Indonesian cook is very tasty with grated coco ans spices.
+ Nice place
- price

Yann

2007-07-09T15:38:00.000+02:00

La Renaissance (Arnaud Delmontel) 9th district
Bakery - Cake shop
39 rue des Martyrs
75009 PARIS
Metro : Saint Georges (12)
http://www.arnaud-delmontel.com/

This bakery opened in 1999 by Arnaud Delmontel is a delight. And it received the 1st price of best Paris french stick 2007 and became official supplier of Elysée for one year !!
It's also a caterer. There are originals salads like the exotical (that I chose): avocado, crab, grapefruit, greek salad and tex mex salad. Delicious and so different.

I didn't resist to try "macarons" and I discovered colours and flavours not usual, chocolat, cofee, pistachio, vanilla, strawberry, lemon, caramel, rose, blackcurrant, and each month a different flavour.

It's a real pleasure for eyes and palate. However, there are a little expensive ( 12 for 14€). But it's good to allow some pleasures sometimes.

I have to go back again, there are numerous cakes and breads. You can find the complete list on their website.

Carolina

2007-07-09T15:34:00.000+02:00

La Pizzetta 9th district
22 avenue Trudaine
75009 PARIS
Tel : 01 48 78 14 08
Metro : Anvers (2) or Pigalle (2-12)
http://www.lapizzetta.fr/

I’vr read on a girl magazine an article about this restaurant and his « bianche » pizzas, and I decided to try it.
Close to the hotel Touraine Opéra and the fabulous Sacré Cœur (that we see when you are on the Martyrs street), the restaurant is located in a calm avenue.
It’s very nice with a terrace when you arrive and a beautiful room, with pictures and paintings. The restaurant was full yesterday at 1pm, I advise you to reserve. You can have take away if you prefer.

I chose a pizza « bianca » (without tomatoe sauce) Il pantalone (it means the trousers), it was a pizza with cream, mushrooms, garlic, mozzarella and ham. It was delicious, rally nice.
For dessert, I didn’t resist to choose Panna cotta with red fruits. Very tasty.

I advise you this restaurant to have a mediteranean break where waiters speaks italian.
Buon apetito !!!

Carolina

2007-07-09T14:29:00.000+02:00

FUKUSHIYAMA 9th district
72, rue Lafayette
75009 PARIS
Tel : 01 47 70 45 67
Metro: Cadet (7)

During lunch time, I was near this japanese restaurant, that I've seen for a time, and I decided to try it, because I don't know where to eat good japanese food anymore nearby.
I chose a menu with meat (2 chicken and 2 beef with cheese). The menu was with miso soup, rice and white cabbage. Waiters are very nice with you, hope it may stay like this. And the price is correct 6.75€ for take away and 7.50€ at the restaurant. I found it very reasonnable for lunch. I have to try it again for the fish.

Carolina