Visiting the Bruno Mathsson show and Chez Nenesse I found out good things come in small exhibits and restaurants.
The Bruno Mathsson show at the Swedish cultural Centre, yet another beautiful hotel particulier in the Marais, is a small, gem of a design show. Coming from the Swedish design movement, Bruno Mathsson was one of the most influential and prolific modern furniture designers of the 20th century. Famous for pioneering the "mechanics of the sitting position" and his signature woven canvas strap chairs, his designs are instantly recognizable.
As I walked trough the exhibit, the furniture looked so comfy and inviting. Being a little tired, I could swear some of the chairs were whispering “Sit on me, C’mon, take a load off your feet”. Fawning over the fabulous chaises covered in white fur and leopard print, and the sleek chairs with stainless steel and mesh, I wanted to redo my apartment entirely in Bruno Mathsson. The show is a must for any mid-century modern design fans that want to see a show where the furniture is almost close enough to touch.
Chez Nenesse, a small, indistinctive looking restaurant on fashionable Rue Poitou in the Marais, is one of those restaurants that I have passed several times and instinctively said the food must be good.
I was in the neighborhood, hungry for lunch yesterday and decided to give it a try. The place was bustling with business lunchers and I shared a two-person table with a nice, polite older French man.
The food was classic French bistro and the menu straightforward: a choice of 5 appetizers, 3 main courses, and 5 desserts. I ordered avocado and shrimp with mayonnaise and tomato farcis (a traditional Provence dish of stewed tomatoes stuffed with meat and spices). The service was efficient and friendly and the interior was institutional looking with a black and white tile floor, and high ceilings with elementary school lanterns.
I finished the meal with a delicious buttery-crusted fig tart and strong café noisette (espresso with wisp of milk foam). I left the restaurant with my taste buds and my stomach more than satisfied for only 19 Euros ($25). I was happy with my new discovery and will be a regular at Chez Jenesse.
Bruno Matthsson Exhibit until October 29.
Centre Culturel Suedois 11 rue Payenne, 75003
Open Tue-Sunday 12-6PM Free
Metro: St. Paul, Chemin vert
Chez Nenesse
17 rue de Saintonge (corner of rue Poitou), 75003
Lunch Monday-Friday
Your meal at chez nenesse sounded really good. I'll have to check it out next time I visit Paris.
Posted by: rickemmanuel | September 25, 2006 at 11:19 PM
Last time I was in the garden of the Centre Culturel Suedois there was a sculpture of a man clinging to a high branch of a tree; it was startling and very amusing. I wonder if it's still there?
Posted by: Shelli | September 26, 2006 at 03:37 AM