French Agricultural Fair.. Foodies Alert

From Feb. 25 to March 4 the annual French Agricultural Exposition takes over the Porte de Versailles conventions center. While you may not be in the market for a cute goat or for farm equipment, this fair, as are many regional agricultural fairs that set up shop for a few days in Paris, is a great stop for foodies. You can taste your way through myriad products, wines, cheese, foie gras, and much more. There is a convenient 'storage room' for things you may buy during your explorations that can be picked up at the end of the day.

Check it out. http://en.salon-agriculture.com/Exhibition/4-sections/Gastronomy-in-France-and-abroad

The VAT is sneaking up again..

Since Jan 1 the VAT charged on meals and other 'low level' services in France is 7% up from 5.5%. You probably won't notice a huge difference on your tabs, but, if that cup of coffee in a cafe seems a little more pricey this is probably why.

Cheese, Wine, Jazz for Valentine's Day?

Here's something a little different to celebrate Valentine's Day. My terrific cheese and wine expert colleague Cherif Bourbit, proprietaire of Fil' O' Fromage in the 13 is offering a special evening including wine, cheese and jazz. Fil O Fromage is a fantastic tiny shop and restaurant to have stupendous cheese plates, wonderful charcuterie (often Corsican) and very well chosen regional French wines. Cherif is also a jazz buff. Voila, February 14 head to Fil O Fromage from 6:30 to 10 p.m. for jazz by
Amy Musser, a tasting of wines from the Languedoc, and, a tasting of cheese from the Appenzeller region of Switzerland. Cherif's email is filofromage@free.fr Tell him Sally Peabody referred you! This will be fun. Metro: Bibliotheque Nationale. 12 rue Neuve Tolbiac just across the Seine from Bercy Village.

Good Felafel on the Left Bank

The rue de Rosiers on the right bank, in the heart of the gentrifying Marais, is always a great bet for felafel. So far the upscale clothing and jewelry stores haven't squeezed out L'As du Felafel or Mi Va Mi or other venerable Marais shops for this messy, delicious sandwich.

Here's a good spot on the left bank in the Latin Quarter. Maoz makes felafel a little differently than the left bank shops which are more assembly line like... At Maoz, , the waiter gives you a pita filled with 5 crunchy falafel balls. Fried eggplant or hummus can be added for 0.60 € extra each. Then you head to the salad bar to customize your veggie additions choosing from carrots, sliced beets, olives and other veggies plus different hot or savory sauces. Voila, a custom felafel.

Enjoy your felafel in the nearby Square Viviani. Bring napkins.


Maoz' basic Falafel sandwich is € 4.90
8 rue Xavier Privas
11:30 – midnight 7 days

Two for One at Versailles through March

If you will be in France in February and March and want to go to the great Chateau of Versailles, check out their special internet offer where you can buy two tickets for the price of one. Tickets must be purchased by the end of Feb and used by the end of March. This is a sweet deal when the Chateau is much less crowded.

http://billetterie.chateauversailles.fr/online/index.aspx

France Through Eyes of Faith in March

Join me in a small group immersion in the spirited mind of the middle ages in Paris, Chartres, Angers and Reims. France Through Eyes of Faith explores great gothic cathedrals, museums with exceptional medieval religious art, the luminous Apocalypse Tapestries and Jean Lurcat Chant du Monde tapestries in Angers and more. We learn to 'read' the ancient stained glass and the Cathedral statuary telling stories and teaching lessons. Finally, a day trip to Champagne to visit Reim's Notre Dame cathedral, a gothic gem where the Kings of France were crowned and the lesser known St. Remy Basilica. And a champagne cellar tour to toast our trip!

March 17 to 24. Details on www.yourgreatdaysinparis.com This tour is fun and 'enriching'. Call Sally at 781 391 6183 or email s.peabody@mac.com

Special Valentines Day Cooking Class for Couples

Alain Ducasse's Ecole de Cuisine has a very clever idea. They are offering a special cooking class for Valentine's Day evening for couples. Prepare a delicious luxe menu for two with one of the talented instructors then, enjoy your meal 'en amoreux' with a flute of Champagne and glasses of wine. Price is 330 E. Time, 6:30-10:30 at the school located on 64 rue de Ranelagh in the 16th. The menu is;
AU MENU :
Coquillettes au jambon
et truffe noire, jus d’un rôti
Homard breton, sucs de tomate, gingembre
Dessert glacé, géranium
Et pour accompagner :
coupe de champagne et vins

Contact ecole@alain-ducasse.com for reservations.