Great Coffee in Paris!

 Bonjour Paris, the bi-weekly e-newsletter about Paris just published my story on the high-end quality coffee scene in Paris.  If you are looking for a really delicious, superbly made cappucino or a perfect espresso-- or a Flat White, or cold-brewed iced coffee or more-- there are lots of choices these days.

bonjourparis.com/story/beans-baristas-and-brews-finding-delicious-coffee-/

Summer evening films at La Villette Park

Make the most of your summer evenings in Paris with the free films at the open-air cinema within the Parc de la Villette (19th arrondisement). Films are offered during July and August and follow a theme. Summer of 2014's theme is "Tous en scène'" or "Everybody on stage" and includes films such as Where the Wild Things Are, Be Kind Rewind and The Killing. It's a welcoming, communal, event in an interesting corner of Paris at the head of the Bassin de la Villette. If you prefer not to sit on the grass you can always rent a hair for 7 Euro. Picnics encouraged! Check out the offerings at:  villette.com/fr.

The Belle Epoque Revisited at Le Petit Palais

PARIS 1900, SHOWCASE OF THE WORLD : At the Petit Palais
You can re-live the splendours of the capital as it was for the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle when, to celebrate the arrival of the 20th century, 51 plus million tourists came to Paris. Works from the Belle Epoque have been brought from the Petit Palais collections in reserve and added to the permanent collection, a treasure trove of fantasy. If you love Paris and love the Belle Epoque, don’t miss this show.  And best of all, the Petit Palais is a City of Paris museum and free!
Until 17 August 2014
Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm  Thursdays until 8pm

Have A Ball at the Paris Firemen's Balls

Only in Paris.  The traditional "Bal des Pompiers" that takes place every year on Bastille Day in the Marais will be happening on July 13th and 14th.  This annual revel consists of two nights of excitement, fun, dancing, drinking, meeting and mingling.  For the third consecutive year, Paris' oldest fire station in the Marais, converted into the biggest Parisian dance floor, will host a unique celebration.

An estimated 10 000 people will walk through the firehouse gates during both nights, among which an exciting mix of men in uniforms from the military and the Paris fire department, Marais residents, plus visitors from around the World.   All are welcome to take part in the festivities of this major national holiday. Top DJs will provide music, from classic disco tunes to current dance music, in an  atmosphere enhanced by freely flowing Champagne.

Have a ball!

Two terrific restaurant finds in Paris from my April trip

Two remarkable new-to-me restaurant finds during my April tours:

Thanks to Patricia Wells’ new Food Lovers Guide to Paris I finally found a place to indulge my Chinese food and in particular, SPICY food, cravings in Paris.  Les Pates Vivantes is a tiny place on the rue Faubourg Montmartre near the rue de Martyrs neighborhood that is fabulous.  A chef makes handmade noodles in the front of the house and from the rear kitchen an array of delicious stir fries and soups emerge. Moderate prices, absolutely delicious food.  Those noodles are great!

In the heart of St. Germain des Prés seek out the tiny and increasingly popular (as the word gets out) newish Le Petit Casimir on rue Casimir Delavigne.  This was for years a sweet place with two guys, one who cooked, one who served traditional French food that was good if not amazing.  Now, a talented team, Martine and Gerard have taken this place over and they are doing absolutely delicious market fresh food for a charitable 28 E for three courses. 

Martine is a gifted cook and Gerard is a charming raconteur who serves and handles the front of the house.  He makes a delicious walnut liqueur and also makes all manner of confit of savory things like orange peel or wild garlic, which ultimately find their way in the dishes.  If you love crème brulee the version here is delicious and actually is ‘brulee-d’ with a flourish when served by Gerard with a cast iron sizzlingly hot gizmo that makes an appropriately crackling crust.  Delicious.  Good wines available from 20 E up to rarefied Burgundies.  Quite a remarkable little place.  Closed Sundays.

Art Paris. Grand Palais. End of March.

Art Paris Art Fair

From March 27, 2014 to March 30, 2014

Art Paris Art Fair brings together some 144 international galleries at the Grand Palais, presenting a wide panorama of modern and contemporary art which also includes photography, design and art books.
After Russia last year, China is guest of honour for the 2014 edition, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the recognition by France of the People’s Republic of China. This edition will showcase work by several generations of artists represented by galleries from Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong as well as a number of Westerners specializing in Chinese art. The aim is also to highlight the on-going dialogue between Paris and Chinese artists such as Lin Fengmian, Zao Wou ki as well as Chen Zhen and Yan Pei Ming.   Thanks to A Tout France, the French Tourist Board for this announcement.  Love contemporary art?  This is a great way to chase away the late winter dullness!

Chajin has new addresses. Your epicenter for fine green teas in Paris!

Chajin has 2 new addresses :

43, blvd Haussmann

75009 Paris

43, rue du Maréchal Foch

67000 Strasbourg.