Tapas, Art, SW French Wines

If delectable tapas, contemporary art, and robust SW French wines are things you love consider coming with me to the marvelous Pays Basque in October. Check out my Basking in the Bounties of the Pays Basque intimately scaled guided tour in San Sebastian, Bilbao, Biarritz, Bayonne, St. Jean de Luz and more. We have openings for two more guests. Maximum of six so this is small and flexible, fun and delicious!

http://www.yourgreatdaysinparis.com

Excellent new Paris bistro

A foodie friend in Paris confirmed recent buzz about Septime, a new and already beloved bistro in the 11th, 80 rue de Charonne. Septime is in an interesting, gentrifying corner of the 11th, where lower rents attract talented chefs and creative shops. Bertrand Grébaut is the chef at Septime. You may remember his cooking at L'Agapé. Septime is located in a nicely renovated, loft-like setting and there is a small garden area for good-weather outdoor meals. The style is cuisine du marché and menus change frequently. Lunch menus in the low and mid twenty euro range, dinner runs more a la carte.

I plan to enjoy Septime personally when I am back in Paris in October!

Hot and Hip in the 'Haut' Marais

Just in case you have a craving for tacos, tostadas and freshly made guacamole during your next gastro-swing through Paris, stop in at the tiny (10-12 seats) taqueria Candelaria on the rue Saintonge. There is Mexican food in Paris but most Mex-fans would not rave about it's authenticity or quality. Candelaria is the real deal and is gaining quite the local following. There is a 9.50 formule and you can also order a la carte as you wish. The chocolate brownies are rumored to be very good too.

This area of the Marais has been steadily getting hipper and fuller of new shops, bistros, interesting places. Candelaria is a great addition to that mix.


Candelaria. 52 rue Saintonge, Paris 3. Metro: Filles Calvaire
Open 7 days, 12PM-11PM Sunday to Wed., 12PM-12AM Thursday to Saturday

Notable Summer Festivals In France

The summer cultural scene in France is robust indeed. Music, film, art, cultural festivals abound often held in magnificent historic settings.

Here is a small sampler:

Les Fetes de Bayonne. July 27 through 31. www.fetesdebayonne.net Concerts, street dances and parades, bull runs and bull fights, and all that delicious Basque food. (If you can't make this one come with me to the Pays Basque in early October for my "Basking in the Bounties of the Pays Basque" culinary tour).

Carcassone: The medieval city of Carcassone is the magical setting for this classical jazz, and pop music, circus and commedy and theatre extravaganza. June 16-August 15. www.festivaldecarcassone.fr

Festival Interceltique de Lorient is an annual gathering of all things musical fron throughout the Celtic world in southern Brittany. August 5-14 www.festival-interceltique.com

Mixing it up in Paris

Check out the organic cake, bread and cookie mixes at Marlette, 28 rue Charlot in the Marais. Sourced from France's best artisans and farms the savory, sweet and bread mixes are a nice gift for cooks and for you. Beautifully packaged (of course!) these products are divided into sweet, savory and 'bread' categories. If you love pain d'epices the shop sells an excellent mix that only requires adding eggs.

Marlette products are also sold at the Grand Épicerie at the Bon Marche and at other gourmet shops in Paris but this shop is in a hip part of the upper Marais and is solely for Marlette mixes.

www.marlettegourmet.com

Summer Refreshment in Paris

Yes the French do drink tea, generally very high quality tea. And yes, you can can delicious iced tea in Paris, particularly nice in hot weather. It is called Thé Glacé.

Stop in at any of the numerous Mariage Freres shops with salons and order one of their premium pure or blended teas iced. They are featuring 'Babylonia' a green tea with aromatics this summer season. Of course you need to sit down, relax and savor your tea... this isn't a zoom in and get a take out opportunity.

Patrick Barbes, the friendly tea expert and superb patissier who owns TeaThéTcha out in the 13th makes a delicious hibiscus iced tea in his pleasant, neighborhood salon. He also makes delectable patisserie, often incorporating tea as a savory ingredient.

And, if you are in a rush, there is always Starbucks or Colombus Café.

Uptick in Paris Pickpocketing..

Parisian guiding colleagues of mine have mentioned repeatedly that there is a noticeable uptick in pick pocketing in the Paris metros and in crowded places this spring. May just be high season, may be the poor economies, but pay attention.... these thieves are extremely skilled and can relieve you of a wallet, I Pod or I phone without your having the slightest clue.

If you are arriving at CDG or other venues with jet lag and lots of bags it is always wise to spend the few extra Euros to book a van to your hotel or take a taxi. And always pay attention on the metro and in tourist spots, or in crowded markets or other spots. Not fun but sadly true.