I Prefer Paris

Culinary Culture Club 116

Yesterday I had the wonderful privilege of attending a tasting at Culinary Culture Club 116, a unique private loft that specializes in Japanese food events and presentations. My friend Patrice Snoeck, a prominent Paris event and party planner, invited me to taste some samples for a big event his company, And So What, (check out his cool website), is producing in May for his client, Campari.

We arrived at 5PM, just in time for me to have a late afternoon feeding to tide me over before dinner. The manager, Sayuli Tezuka greeted us with a warm smile and was so gracious in welcoming us to her place. The large open and airy space was Zen -like with black hi lacquered cabinets, granite counter tops, state of the art stainless steel kitchen, and natural wood plank floors. It’s sixth floor location bordering the Marais had 3 spectacular and different views of the city, even making this now-jaded Parisian swoon. I went out on the terrace, parked myself on one of the dark wood chaise lounges and fell in love with Paris all over again.

Hiromi Koyama, The Smiling Chef

Chilled Red Pepper & Blood Orange Soup w/Campari Jelly Cubes, Salmon Sushi Squares

I love the concept of this place –a private club that anyone can become a member of by registering online. Exclusive but not snobby. You are then able to attend all kinds of food events including formal Japanese tea service, sake tastings, and a secrets to making sushi class. The space is also available private parties and even private dinners for 2 or more.

I look forward to spending more time at this peaceful and serene oasis just blocks from my house.

To register online go to http://www.ccc116.com/top.html

Culinary Culture Club 116
6 rue St. Claude, 75003
Metro: Saint Sébastien Froissart, Line 8
Tel: 01 42 74 71 16

Special April Offer: Until April 30, all tours are 160 euros instead of 175 euros. Book today and save.
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour
includes many of the places I have written about including small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.


Special April Offer: Until April 30, all tours are 160 euros instead of 175 euros.

Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com

 

Metro Station of the Month: St. Germain des Prés

For the month of May, I am featuring the St. Germain des Prés station. The theme/motif of the station is the great French writers and poets.

Quotes like “ L’amour est une mer don’t la femme est la rive” by Victor Hugo, and “Je suis cet homme inconsolé de t’avoir tant aimee” by Ernest Pepin are dramatically emblazoned on the dark walls and ceilings of the station by a light projector. Other quotes are by Rimbaud, François Villon, Anise Koltz, and William Cliff.

The softly lit glass vitrines along the walls display a collection of letters, notes, and books by the writers and poets.

The entrance still has the original candelabre val d’osne light fixtures from 1920.

St. Germain Des Prés
Line 4

Special April Offer: Until April 30, all tours are 160 euros instead of 175 euros. Book today and save.
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour
includes many of the places I have written about including small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.


Special April Offer: Until April 30, all tours are 160 euros instead of 175 euros.

Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com

 

Only in Paris...

Only in Paris would you find a special display just for white asparagus.

Special April Offer: Until April 30, all tours are 160 euros instead of 175 euros. Book today and save.
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour
includes many of the places I have written about including small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.


Special April Offer: Until April 30, all tours are 160 euros instead of 175 euros.

Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com

 

In a Paris Moment: Meredith Mullins

I met Meredith Mullins while swigging down some wine at an afternoon tasting at Le Derniere Goutte in St. Germain last week.

Meredith is the author and photographer of the lovely and enchanting book of black and white photographs “In a Paris Moment “. When we met at the wine shop we talked briefly and hit it off and I gave her my card. She later emailed me with a nice note about liking my blog and sent me some of her recent photos. Intrigued by her work, I decided to interview her for Eye Prefer Paris.

We met at Café Hugo on the Place de Vosges and she handed me a copy of the book, which she so kindly gave me as a gift. Meredith lives between Monterey, California and Paris. In a inspiring change of mid life story, in 2004 she retired from her job of over 20 years at a major publishing house to pursue her passion for photography.

Notre Dame Jazz

The idea for the book came to her when she was shooting photos here in 1991. She’s methodical in the sense that she takes the time and patience to revisit a subject or site a few times before she photographs them, instinctually waiting for the right moment to capture. With her portraits of street musicians,performers and artists, she introduces herself to them to establish a relationship and visits them several times before photographing.

The photo of the Montmartre street artist Stevan, next to his own self-portrait, has a wonderful story behind it. The first three times Meredith asked to take his photo, he refused. She asked him once more and he said yes, saying that he respected her because she took the time to get to know him and was now sure she wasn’t some tourist looking for a cheap thrill photo. He was so pleased with her photo, that he did a portrait of her. He said there was color in the black and white photograph and Meredith said that touched her heart.

Stevan

You can see the care, and attention to quality and detail that went into the book. The paper stock is thick and silky smooth, the design elegant and pristine, and the photos exquisite.

If you want a memorable and unusual piece of Paris, buy yourself a copy “In a Paris Moment”.

In a Paris Moment by Meredith Mullins
$29.50
Click here to order on Amazon.com

L'Homme du Feu

Special April Offer: Until April 30, all tours are 160 euros instead of 175 euros. Book today and save.
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour
includes many of the places I have written about including small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.


Special April Offer: Until April 30, all tours are 160 euros instead of 175 euros.

Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com

 

French Elections: Cheaper by the Dozen

Segolene Royale Goes Barbara Kruger

As the French presidential elections heat up, the candidates are out in full force.

Voters vote twice, first on April 22 and then May 6 is the runoff between the two leading candidates. (Thank goodness there isn’t this system in the U.S., otherwise we would miscalculate the votes twice).

Someone told me that election posters were officially revealed on April 9th and I spotted an elaborate billboard on Rue de Turenne displaying all 12 candidates.

I captured some of them in photos, graffiti and all, and have put my captions/comments under each one.
Feel free to express your opinions in the comments box.

Sarkozy:The Devil?

Le Pen: Mr. Conservative

Bayrou: Hard to Read this One-What's he hiding in his left hand?

Besancenot:Looks a Little Out of His League- That fold definitely accentuates his nose

Special April Offer: Until April 30, all tours are 160 euros instead of 175 euros. Book today and save.
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour
includes many of the places I have written about including small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.


Special April Offer: Until April 30, all tours are 160 euros instead of 175 euros.

Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com

 

Christian Marclay: Replay

The Christian Marclay Replay show at the Cite de La Musique is a series of 9 superb videos that totally stimulate and engage the viewer.

Christian Marclay was one of the early punk rock musicians in the late 70’s and in the 80’s became a video artist. Using sound, musical instruments, vinyl records and music film clips in his work, his fascination for music and musical objects is projected into his videos in a unique abstract way

Walking through the maze of pitch black rooms with only video monitors and large screens, one experiences a world of music, sound and images in a way that hasn’t been seen before.

Crossfire, a video in one room on four surrounding walls, shows classic shootout scenes from “Pulp Fiction,” “Scarface”, “The Terminator”, and “Bullet in the Head”. I purposely walked slowly around the perimeter of the room to capture the full force of the sound experience and it was a symphony of gunfire that made it’s own special music and rhythm. Who ever thought a barrage of gunfire would be music to one’s ear.

I was smiling the whole time watching Telephones, recognizing some of my favorite stars using the telephone. Divided into sequences, of answering the phone, waiting for it to ring and hanging up, this fast clipped video has Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, Meg Ryan, Tippi Hedren, Barbara Stanwyck and others having their golden phone moments on screen.

The centerpiece of the show was the 14-minute “Video Quartet”. This relentlessly entertaining video showed mostly musical instrument clips from hundreds of movies on 4 screens simultaneously. It reminded me how powerful the effect of music in the movies could be as I was moved, frightened, amused, saddened, and dazzled by this brilliant tour de force. I viewed it twice and still couldn’t keep up with all the magical moments.

Two other more abstract videos, Record Players and Fast Music, showed the clever and funny ways of using vinyl records besides playing them on a turntable.

Christian Marclay Replay
Musee de La Musique
At Cite de la Musique
Tuesday-Saturday 12PM-6PM, Sunday 10AM –6PM
221 avenue Jean Jaurès 75019
Metro: Porte de Pantin, line 5
Till June 24th

Special April Offer: Until April 30, all tours are 160 euros instead of 175 euros. Book today and save.
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour
includes many of the places I have written about including small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.


Special April Offer: Until April 30, all tours are 160 euros instead of 175 euros.

Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com

 

I Have a Theory

My new friend and former tour client, Erica Nevins from New York, has relocated here to open up the first Theory shop in Paris. She is young, bright, energetic and joy to be around and has been working very hard in opening the new shop. Theory is an American upscale brand of simple and luxurious sportswear for women and men with a loyal bordering on fanatic fan base. Theory is best known for its well fitting women’s pants which most women say are the only pants they ever buy.

Located on the ever fashionable rue Bonaparte in St. Germaine de Pres, Theory is spacious, minimal, and elegant. The black shiny metal racks on wheels against the bright white walls make the space stark but the lightwood wide plank floors gives it just the right balance of warmth. The abundance of mannequins in the store is a smart sales tool because they show off beautiful cut of the deceptively simple clothes.

The women’s full spring collection was in along with some of the summer line. The poppy red twill trench coat was a standout among the subdued colors of beige, white, and navy in the rest of the clothes. Agate, one of the lovely sales associates, was kind enough to show me the line and tell me what the hot sellers of the season were. She said the perennial basic white fitted blouses of cotton and stretch, a white cotton suit with wide legged trousers, and a navy linen and cotton romantic summer dress with woven straps were selling very well.

Red Twill Trench Coat

Vintage Fabric Bolero

I was attracted to the softer-than -Buttah short leather jackets of Italian calf in oak, ginger and oiled coffee bean. I was hoping there was a men’s version for me to, and was disappointed but relieved (this leather baby would set me back 800 euros) the men’s collection was not in yet. Another standout was the bolero jacket made of a charcoal & white vintage 30’s fabric over a fuchsia gauzy like longer top. The small uninspired shoe and bag collection was a bit of a let down from the sharp and sophisticated clothes.

My “theory” is the chic women of Paris will be caught very much alive this season in the fashion of Theory.

Theory
47 rue Bonaparte, 75006
(0)1 40 46 70 50
Metro: St Germain de Pres

Special April Offer: Until April 30, all tours are 160 euros instead of 175 euros. Book today and save.
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour
includes many of the places I have written about including small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.


Special April Offer: Until April 30, all tours are 160 euros instead of 175 euros.

Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com

 

April Eye Need To Do's - Versailles, Paris Marathon, Joe Columbo, and Chez Janou

Versailles: Grandes Eaux Musicales
As you walk through the splendor of the gardens, ponds, and fountains of Versailles, you can listen to sumptuous baroque music conducted by Hérve Niquet.

Versailles: Grandes Eaux Musicales
Saturdays & Sundays 11AM to 5:30PM
April 7th to September 30
Admission 7 euros
Train: RER C, Versailles Château Rive Gauche

Paris Marathon
Come and cheer over 35,000 runners at the 31st Paris Marathon and see if someone could break the 2 hour, 33 minute and 6 seconds record. The 42.195 kilometer (26.2 miles) run starts at the Champs Elysees and goes through Bastille, Nation, the Vincennes woods, Trocadero and the Boulogne woods, and ends on Avenue Foch.

Paris Marathon
Sunday, April 15

Joe Colombo, The Invention of the Future

Attention Design Aficinados:Do not miss the first major retrospective of Joe Colombo, the master furniture designer. He changed the face of modern design in 1960's and early 1970's, with his innovative and futuristic furniture, lighting, architectural models, and home objects.

Joe Colombo, The Invention of the Future
Musée des Arts Decoratifs
107 rue de Rivoli,75001
Tuesdays to Fridays from 11AM to 6PM
Saturdays & Sundays from 10AM- 6 p.m.,9PM on Thursdays
Admission 8.50 euros
Metro: Palais Royal

Chez Janou: Salad of Mozzarella, Melon, and Mache
Enjoy this delectable new salad at one of my favorite Marais bistros

Chez Janou
2 Roger-Verlomme 75003
01 42 72 28 41
Open for lunch & dinner 7 days
Reservations a must at dinner
Metro: Bastille, Chemin Vert

Special April Offer: Until April 30, all tours are 160 euros instead of 175 euros. Book today and save.
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour
includes many of the places I have written about including small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.


Special April Offer: Until April 30, all tours are 160 euros instead of 175 euros.

Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com