Archive for January, 2012

Give Your Valentine a Valentine to Paris

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012
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When your beloved whispers “Be my Valentine,” do you dream of Paris?

Travel writer Jim Calio has called our book Paris Insights – An Anthology “a wonderful valentine to Paris, unlike anything you’re likely to find in a standard guidebook.”

Better than a box of chocolates, it is a gift that offers an insider’s view of the things to love about the City of Light.

Our book is available in three editions: Premium (full color), Travelers’ (black and white), and Kindle (electronic). Click here to learn more or to purchase now!

Discover the beauty and passion of the world’s most romantic city in Paris Insights – An Anthology.

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Rock ‘n’ Roll Is Here to Stay

Sunday, January 29th, 2012
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Matthew Lee at the Piano

Matthew Lee at the Piano
Photo from the Matthew Lee press kit

Rock ‘n’ roll was alive and well in Paris last Friday evening, as Italian singer and pianist Matthew Lee belted out old standards to a wildly appreciative audience at the Jazz Club of the Hotel Méridien Etoile.

Backed by five superb musicians, Lee sang such classics as Johnny B Goode, Good Golly Miss Molly, Blue Suede Shoes, What’d I Say, I Got a Woman… the beat just kept on rocking!

Lee surely must have been cut from the same cloth as early rocker Jerry Lee Lewis, because, like Lewis, his hands flew over the piano keyboard at blinding speed. He even played the upper notes with his right foot, just like Lewis!

A popular singer in Italy, Lee speaks and sings in flawless English and has an easy-going, personable style. For the moment, all of his performances are in Italy and France; if he makes it to the United States, I am sure that he will win over large audiences there.

Matthew Lee, thank you for bringing the music forward. You have admirably claimed your place in the rock ‘n’ roll firmament.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Is Here to Stay!

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Give the Gift of Paris on Valentine’s Day

Thursday, January 26th, 2012
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When your beloved whispers “Take me away,” do you dream of Paris?

Travel writer Jim Calio has called our book Paris Insights – An Anthology “a wonderful valentine to Paris, unlike anything you’re likely to find in a standard guidebook.”

Better than a box of chocolates, it is a gift that offers an insider’s view of the things to love about the City of Light.

Our book is available in three editions: Premium (full color), Travelers’ (black and white), and Kindle (electronic). Click here to learn more or to purchase now!

Discover the beauty and passion of the world’s most romantic city in Paris Insights – An Anthology.

* * * * * * *

Like our blog? Join us on Facebook!

Beer and Food Pairing with Elisabeth Pierre

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012
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Elisabeth Pierre, Bièrologue

Elisabeth Pierre, Bièrologue
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

On Saturday afternoon I had the occasion to participate in a beer and food pairing that was organized by Elisabeth Pierre, bièrologue. I wrote about Elisabeth for the December issue of my Paris Insights newsletter. At that time, I was doing research on the state of artisanal beer in France. I was happy to report then and am happy to report now that French artisanal beers are doing quite well, thank you!

The tasting took place at a restaurant called Qui Plume la Lune, where Chef Jacky Ribault cooks up great French cuisine with a Japanese touch.

Elisabeth told me that the beers that she would present harmonized well with Chef Ribault’s style of cooking. After the tasting, I was convinced of that!

Three men and three women (plus Elisabeth) participated in the tasting. Over conversation between beers, I learned that one of the men is a banker, one of the women works for a Web site for French recipes, and another women organizes wine tastings for wine aficionados.

Beer Tasting with Elisabeth

Beer Tasting with Elisabeth
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

Elisabeth opened the presentation by announcing which kinds of beers we would taste. Three of the beers were French (one of which is brewed in Bavaria), and a fourth was Belgian. She distributed a fiche de dégustation so that we could take notes of the experience. The worksheet provided helpful categories that encouraged us to focus our comments on four important areas: sight (color, transparency…), nose (agreeable and disagreeable aromas), mouth (sparkle, taste, and texture), and aftertaste.

Elisabeth started with a mild beer. As the tasting progressed, the beers got darker and stronger.

Saint Jacques poêlées maki de shitaké

Saint Jacques Poêlées with Maki de Shitaké
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

The first was a Demory – Roquette Blanche, produced by a young Bavarian, Kai Lorch, who has relaunched this beer that was once brewed in Paris. It was served with a dish of Saint Jacques poêlées, maki de shitaké, émulsion de fumet de poisson, betteraves jaunes. This consisted of a single, lightly-sauteed scallop perched on the end of a sushi roll standing in a fish emulsion, and garnished with julienned yellow beet. The beer had no bitterness and was even slightly sweet with a slight taste of honey. I thought that it complemented the mild flavor of the tender scallop well. Later, I realized that the Demory was the only beer of the four that I would enjoy drinking without food.

Crevettes Qweli Infusées au Foin et à l'Origan

Crevettes Qweli Infusées au Foin et à l'Origan
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

The second beer was Saint Stefanus from the Van Steenberge brewery in Belgium. Saint Stefanus undergoes a complicated brewing process that includes three different yeasts, a second fermentation in the bottle, and storage at cellar temperature for a minimum of three months. For all its complexity, I did not find the taste compelling, but it did go well with a serving of Crevettes Qweli infusées au foin et à l’origan, poires confites au four. This consisted of a large cup containing a bed of straw and wild oregano upon which rested two slices of baked pear and two sauteed prawns. The beer complemented this dish in the sense that it did not clash with the subtle flavors of either the prawns or the sweet, slightly caramelized pear.

The third beer served was Ventre Jaune Ambrée made from grilled corn at the Rouget de Lisle brewery in Franch-Comté in eastern France. I found it to be sweet with a mild molasses flavor. It was served with Boeuf sauté sauce foie gras, coulis de persil plat, vitelottes et chataignes, a beef dish dressed in a sweet foie gras sauce with Vitelotte potatoes and chestnuts. Delicious! Again, I thought that the beer harmonized well with the food.

Tarte au chocolat et moka café, coulis de mangue

Tarte au chocolat et moka café, coulis de mangue
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

The fourth beer was served with dessert. A Bracine bière de Noël (Christmas beer) brewed in French Flanders, it was very dark and very bitter, with a surprising touch of sweetness. To the uninitiated, one should yell Attention! (Watch out!) before they are allowed to sip, so bitter is this beer. And to top it off, the aftertaste is even more bitter! But, surprisingly, the brew went well with the Tarte au chocolat that was served with it because the chocolate was also quite bitter. However, I did not think that it harmonized with two other desserts that were served alongside: a mocha-flavored cake and a dollop of mango sauce. These were sweet, and the bitter beer overpowered their taste.

Chef Jacky Riboult

Chef Jacky Riboult
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

When the tasting ended, Chef Ribault emerged from the kitchen to talk about the dishes that he had prepared and to accept the well-deserved accolades of the participants. Bravo!

Beer and food tastings are a convivial way to meet new people from different backgrounds, to learn about beer and beer-brewing techniques, to learn about different regions in Europe—particularly France—where beer is brewed, and most of all, simply to enjoy!

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Big-bash Tweet-up in Paris Last Night

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012
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Tweeters in Paris are at it again! They are actually meeting face-to-face, live, and in person!

Last night’s Tweet-up, held at O Chateau, was organized by Priscilla Pilon of Weekend in Paris.

Marlys Schurman - Priscilla Pilon

Marlys Schurman - Priscilla Pilon

The event went off well—I entered the room around 8:15 p.m. and it was abuzz with happy conversation.

The following is a list of tweeters and bloggers who attended. The list is not complete!

Kathryn Reichert @knreichert
Christina Smith of 5 Sizes 2 Small and Wrist Flick
Kasia Dietz of Love In the City of Lights and Kasia Dietz
Cat Beurnier of Sugar Daze
Andrea Anastasakis of Destination Europe
Rosemary Kneipp of Aussie In France
Mary Ann @EnchantedTravel
Jenny Beaumont of Jenny Beaumont
Carina Okula of Carams
Jon Hulatt of Guide 2 Paris
Alexis of AlphaGphoto
James Feess of Feels Like Home in Paris
Claire Thomas of Sight Seekers Delight
Melanie Vaz @gateaux-mama
Elizabeth Milovidov
Shannon Vettes of Je ne sais quoi
Sion Dayson of Paris Imperfect
Jenny Sundel of Jesus Year Project
Stephanie of La Belle in France
Edna Zhou of Expat Edna
Tyler Arcaro of Oui Paris Tours
Linda Houliston of Oui Paris Tours
Melissa Ladd of Prête-moi Paris
Marlys Schurmann of Paris Movie Walks
Tom Reeves of Paris Insights and Discover Paris!
Kim Petyt of Parisian Events

Here are some great photos of the event:

Tyler Arcaro - Edna Zhou

Tyler Arcaro - Edna Zhou

Sion Dayson - Shannon Vettes - Tom Reeves

Sion Dayson - Shannon Vettes - Tom Reeves

Name to be announced - Alexis

Name to be announced - Alexis

Melanie Vaz

Melanie Vaz

Names to be announced

Other names to be announced - James Feess

Kathryn Reichert - Christina Smith - Cat Beurnier

Kathryn Reichert - Christina Smith - Cat Beurnier

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From Ilot Insalubre N° 1 to the National Center of Art and Culture

Thursday, January 19th, 2012
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Georges Pompidou Center

Georges Pompidou Center
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

The National Center of Art and Culture (Georges Pompidou Center) first opened its doors to the public in 1997. Today, it attracts some six million visitors a year. But what stood in its place before the center was built? In this month’s Paris, Past and Present, read about the plateau Beaubourg, a neighborhood that came to be known known as Ilot Insalubre N° 1. In the 1930s it was razed to the ground, displacing thousands of people who lived there.

Paris, Past and Present is a supplemental feature of Paris Insights, our monthly newsletter about the history and culture of Paris, as well as contemporary life in this endlessly fascinating city. Click here to read the newsletter abstract.

Paris Insights is available only to paid subscribers for an annual subscription fee of $30.

If you are not a paid subscriber and would like to download the newsletter, please click here. Enter promotional code 11473309154 to receive a $5 discount off the price of an annual subscription.

Bonne Lecture!

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Tasting Bruzzi Daterra Coffee at Café Lanni

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012
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Bruzzi Daterra Coffee at Café Lanni

Bruzzi Daterra Coffee at Café Lanni
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

Just before Christmas I stopped by Café Lanni and purchased 250g of whole-bean Bruzzi Daterra. Priced at 16.60€/kg, the medium-roast coffee beans display a beautiful brown robe de moine color. Brewed in my French press, the coffee produces a chocolaty, smooth, almost sweet, full-bodied taste.

Bruzzi Daterra is an estate-grown coffee from central Brazil.

Café Lanni
54, rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis
75010 Paris
Tel.: 01.47.70.33.43

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Galette des Rois at Morange

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
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Galette des Rois

Galette des Rois
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

Fève

Fève
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

To celebrate Epiphany, which fell on the 6th of January, we purchased a galette des Rois (Kings’ cake) from Morange, a bakery in our neighborhood.

The cake, which cost 8€, measured about 6” in diameter and had crispy puff-pastry layers filled with dense, semi-sweet frangipane.

The surprise came when I found a fève (a porcelain charm in the shape of a duck) hidden in my portion of the cake. According to tradition, the person whose slice contains the fève is King for the day. I briefly wore the paper crown, whose circumference, however, was not large enough to fit my big head!

Boulangerie Morange
123, rue Mouffetard
75005 Paris

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Our Bon Goût Restaurant Review – Sunugal

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012
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Alpha Diallo - Proprietor of Sunugal

Alpha Diallo, Proprietor of Sunugal
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

The restaurant Sunugal recently won the Marmite d’Or, an annual award given by the mayor’s office for the best Afro-Caribbean restaurant among the entries. We dined there recently to try the Thieboudienne, the Senegalese dish that won the prize. Read our review of this establishment in this month’s Paris Insights newsletter.

Our newsletter is published monthly as a downloadable PDF file. It is available only to paid subscribers for an annual subscription fee of $30.

If you are not a paid subscriber and would like to download the newsletter, please click here. Enter promotional code 11473309154 to receive a $5 discount off the price of an annual subscription.

Bonne Lecture!

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We participate in Wanderfood Wednesdays. Head over there to explore food from around the world!

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Will the Last True Parisian to Leave the City Please Turn Out the Lights?

Sunday, January 1st, 2012
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Claude Dubois

Claude Dubois, Journalist
Photo by www.DiscoverParis.net

In this month’s Paris Insights we present Claude Dubois, a French journalist who, for many years, has been chronicling the decline of working-class culture in Paris.

Our newsletter is published monthly as a downloadable PDF file. It is available only to paid subscribers for an annual subscription fee of $30.

If you are not a paid subscriber and would like to download the newsletter, please click here. Enter promotional code 11473309154 to receive a $5 discount off the price of an annual subscription.

Bonne Lecture!

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