Paris For New Years? Book at Le Saotico!

If you happen to be in Paris for New Years eve, consider booking a table for Le Saotico's degustation menu.  This is a steal for 80 Euros.  The talented chef/owner Hughes and his lovely wife Anne who runs the front of the house, pay close attention to freshness, deliciousness, and assuring a great experience for their guests.  Definitely book.  Here is the menu:
Pour le Nouvel An, Le Sâotico vous propose un menu Dégustation.

Coupe de Champagne "Haton" avec mise en bouche

Foie gras de Canard mi-cuit en terrine, gelée au Beaumes de Venise

Mille feuille croustillant de Homard et Coques, sauce armoricaine et oignons caramélisés
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Sorbet au pamplemousse et Martini Dry
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Civet de Biche en venaison, Marrons, Oignons grelots et Lard fumé
Ou
Fricassée de Saint-Jacques au confit de carottes, parfum d'Orange et Vanille
Ou
Tournedos de filet de Boeuf, morilles au Foie gras, Gratin au Parmesan
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Tarte fine d'endives au Chèvre chaud, Miel et Noix
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Cinq desserts en panaché
"Crème Brulée", Moelleux au chocolat, Mousse au caramel beurre salé, Gratin de fruits au sabayon de Champagne, Mini vacherin aux Framboises

Café Illy et Petits fours

Prix : 80€ par personnes
Réservation : 01.42.96.03.20

Excellent new map of the Marais

The Marais, in the 3rd and 4th arrondissements, is one of my favorite (and lot's of peoples favorite quarters in Paris).  Gorgeous historic architecture, great shops, the Place des Vosges, good cafes and bistros, Mariage Freres historic salon du thé and so much more, this is a Paris quarter that you could happily spend your entire vacation in.

Check out www.ParisMarais.com   This is a very good blog focused on the Marais with tons of excellent information.  Paris Marais has recently produced a new map of the Marais including its notable sites and it is a fantastic resource.  Free to download.  You may want to subscribe to their e-newsletter.

Happy holidays!

Brassai Exhibition at the Hotel de Ville. Great Paris Photography

Paris City Hall is the site of an exhibition of one of the greatest of all contemporary photographers: the intensely luminous works of Brassaï. 

 “Brassai, for the Love of Paris” shows the sweep of Brassai's continuing love affair with Paris and with all the peoples, humble and haute, whomake Paris the mythical place it is.
Born in 1899 in Transylvania, Gyulus Halasz adopted the name Brassaï when he started to photograph in 1929. He moved to Paris in 1924, after completing his art studies in Berlin. He joined the Surrealists and deeply admired their sensibilities.


A tireless wanderer through night-time Paris, Brassaï also had an eye for the capital 's daylight charms along the quais of the Seine, in the Luxembourg Gardens, along the Grands Boulevards.
“Brassai, Pour l’amour de Paris” run until March 8, 2014.
10 am to 7 pm, Monday to Saturday.  Free of charge.
Hôtel de Ville de Paris, 5 rue de Lobau (4e)
Metro: Hotel de Ville

Fromagerie Hisada. Impeccable French Cheese With an Asian Twist.

Check out my article on the terrific Fromagerie Hisada on rue de Richelieu in central Paris.  This was published 9.26.13 on Bonjour Paris.

http://www.bonjourparis.com/story/fromagerie-hisada-french-cheese-asian-spin/

Les Berges du Seine.. The riverbanks are a glorious new park

As of June 2013, the Seine Riverbanks between the bridges Pont de l’Alma and Pont Royal are dedicated to pedestrians. Sports, recreation, conversation and respite for all!

The section of the left bank of the River Seine situated between the Pont de l’Alma and the Musée d’Orsay is now an unbroken pedestrian zone 2.3 kilometers long with no motor vehicles in sight.

 

What will you find, aside from gorgeous views?  There is a mix for active and 'passive' enjoyment. Running tracks, gardens, children’s activities and much more, the new-look river banks have drawn  enthusiastic public from the moment they opened. Runners of every level head for the tracks at the  dawn.  Then come visitors, for a little relaxation before a day of sight-seeing.  During the day children play, people of all ages stroll, in the evenings a youthful crowd gathers along the many terraces and embankments for a drink or two. 

 

Another example of Paris' brilliant re-visioning of public space and 'parks'.

Sunny (Two Story) Terrace at 25 Est

If you like to explore up and coming Paris quarters, hop on the metro and ride to Stalingrad.  This area, along the Bassin de la Vilette, above the Canal St. Martin, has been developing into one of the hottest spots for Parisians in-the-know.  The city is investing heavily in making this a desirable residential quarter. 

Paris Plages, the 'beach' that arrives in Paris each summer along the Seine, is also installed along the lovely Bassin de la Villette making this a nontouristy summer hotspot for relaxation.

25° Est  is a bar with inexpensive bar food (good quality) and a wide range of libations, that has not one, but two terraces.  A sunny terrace with a water view is always sought after in Paris.  This one, er two, is no exception.

No exhaust fumes, regular concerts and musical performances and more.

Add to this two art-house cinemas nearby plus the Cité des Sciences and the Cité de la Musique, and you have the perfect spot for summer!

10, Place Bataille de Stalingrad.  Open 12-11 daily.

Something to make summer even sweeter.. new Pierre Herme in the Marais

Macaron and pastry master Pierre Hermé has opened his most recent boutique right in the heart of the Marais!  Great news for Marais-lovers and Hermé fanatics, this new shop will be open through the summer and sells all those glorious macarons and pastries that make Hermé shops look more like exclusive jewelry shops than patisseries...  pack a few Euros and pay a visit. You won't regret it.

Address: 18 rue Sainte-Croix-de-la-Bretonnerie, 75004
Nearest transport: Hôtel de Ville (1,11)
Hours: Open every day from 10:30am-10:30pm
Telephone: 01 43 54 47 77