Archive for June, 2014

Gerri Chanel’s French Life

Tuesday, June 24th, 2014
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Gerri Chanel - Author of Saving Mona Lisa Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Gerri Chanel – Author of Saving Mona Lisa
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Award-winning writer Gerri Chanel is in town promoting her new book Saving Mona Lisa: The Battle to Protect the Louvre and its Treasures During World War II. I had the opportunity to meet her recently and asked her about how her interest in French culture developed and what inspired her to research this fascinating story

Chanel’s father’s brother’s wife was born and raised in Paris and Chanel was fascinated from a young age listening to her speak French, her manner of food presentation, and the long, animated discussions with relatives at the dinner table. Though her aunt probably never knew it, she was the person who sparked Chanel’s life-long interest in French language, culture, and cuisine.

Chanel studied accounting and went on to become an international business consultant. The research and business writing skills that she acquired in her profession provided a good foundation for the work that was required to research the history of how the French planned and conducted the largest museum evacuation in history in the years running up to WWII. The operation’s purpose was to remove precious art from the Louvre and to store it in the countryside to protect it from German bombardment.

Chanel first learned of this massive undertaking while watching a documentary film on the Louvre many years ago. A brief mention in a film that a painting from the Louvre was hidden during the war by using it as a false ceiling in a restaurant kindled her interest. In researching this bit of history, Chanel found out that the information was incorrect and set out to write an accurate account. This led to many years of research, both in the United States and in France, culminating in the writing of her book.

Chanel’s work as business consultant first led her to Paris a number of years ago, where she taught management and accounting at several business schools. During this time, she was also able to indulge her longstanding passion for French cuisine. She started a small business called “Paris on Your Plate,” where she conducted wine and cheese pairings at her Paris apartment.

Participants in “Paris on Your Plate” classes enjoyed tasting up to thirteen cheeses and four wines per session. Chanel spoke to them about how French cheeses are made and guided them through the tasting, beginning with the mildest cheeses and leading to the strongest. Lasting about two hours, these sessions were quite popular.

Chanel was well prepared to launch this venture. Several years prior to moving to Paris, she received a certificate in cheese appreciation from a NYC organization called Artisanal Cheese. She received an additional certificate after taking a week-long course in the subject at the University of Vermont. Two French dairy specialists were among the professors who taught this course.

Chanel will talk about Saving Mona Lisa on Tuesday, July 8 at Adrian Leeds’ popular Parler Paris Après Midi, a free monthly meeting where guest speakers talk about a wide variety of interesting topics.

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One of the Narrowest Shops in Paris

Saturday, June 21st, 2014
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Galerie Rouleau - 3 rue Clotide - 75005 Paris

Galerie Rouleau – 3, rue Clotide – 75005 Paris
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

This shop, measuring 1.1 meters wide, stands at 3, rue Clotaire in the 5th arrondissement. The sign above the door indicates that it used to be a flower shop, but it is now an art gallery called Galerie Rouleau. But the gallery won’t be at this location much longer, because the proprietor, Ying na Zhao, told me that it will move at the end of June to a larger location.

Ceramic Jewelery at Galerie Rouleau

Ceramic Jewelery at Galerie Rouleau
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

The gallery exhibits paintings, ceramic jewelery, and photographs from China.

I look forward to visiting the gallery at its new location so that I can step back to admire the paintings!

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Launch Party for Our New e-Book – Dining Out in Paris

Friday, June 20th, 2014
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Dining Out in Paris

Last night we held a launch party for our new e-book Dining Out in Paris – What You Need to Know before You Get to the City of Light.

En Vrac

It was held at En Vrac, a cave à manger located at the corner of rue l’Olive and rue Riquet in the 18th arrondissement.

Lily Heise, Anna Eklund-Cheong, Charin Chong, Claire Thomas, Tom Reeves, Mary Kay Bosshart, and Lisa Czarina

Lily Heise, Anna Eklund-Cheong, Charin Chong, Claire Thomas, Tom Reeves, Mary Kay Bosshart, and Lisa Czarina
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Eleven Paris bloggers and writers gathered to hear me talk about Dining Out in Paris and En Vrac owner Thierry Poincin talk about his wine shop and restaurant.

Tom Reeves, author of Dining Out in Paris - What You Need to Know before You Get to the City of Light

Tom Reeves
Author of Dining Out in Paris –
What You Need to Know before You Get to the City of Light

Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

I explained that I wrote Dining Out in Paris with first-time travelers to Paris in mind. My intent was to provide helpful information about French restaurants and French dining customs so that newcomers will have confidence to enter a Parisian restaurant to enjoy a fine meal. As a bonus, I have included in-depth reviews of twelve of my favorite restaurants in the book.

Thierry Poincin - Owner of En Vrac

Thierry Poincin – Owner of En Vrac
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Thierry explained how he sells wine en vrac (in bulk) to customers who bring their own bottle or leave a 2€ deposit for a bottle that the shop supplies. The bottles are filled from stainless-steel wine vats that contain wine protected from oxidation by nitrogen gas. He also talked about a new location that he’ll soon be opening on rue Maubeuge in the 9th arrondissement.

Tom Reeves with Claire Thomas

Tom Reeves with Claire Thomas
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

The following Paris bloggers and writers attended:
Mary Kay Bosshart – Out and About in Paris
Charin Chong – Sight Seeker’s Delight
Lisa Czarina – Ella Coquine
Anna Eklund-Cheong – Paris Haiku
Heidi Ellison – Paris Update
Rosemary Flannery – Passport to Paris
Gerri Chanel – Saving Mona Lisa
Lily Heise – Je T’aime… Me Neither
Ganit Hirschberg – Food, Wine, and Other Adventures
Claire Thomas – Sight Seeker’s Delight
Laurel Zuckerman – Laurel Zuckerman’s Paris Weblog

The party was hosted by:
Tom Reeves – Paris Insights
Monique Y. Wells – Entrée to Black Paris
Thierry Poincin – En Vrac
(En Vrac is one of the restaurants that I reviewed for Dining Out in Paris.)

A good time was had by all!

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Heather Stimmler-Hall Launches a New Edition of Naughty Paris

Tuesday, June 17th, 2014
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Heather Stimmler-Hall

Heather Stimmler-Hall is a travel writer who has been living in France since 1995. I recently had the opportunity to meet her for the first time at the CititenM launch party about which I blogged two Sundays ago. Heather told me that she was about to launch a new edition of her book Naughty Paris: A Lady’s Guide to the Sexy City. This is a self-publishing venture, as was the first. For the second edition, she intends to have it printed as a gorgeous coffee-table style book measuring 6.25 x 7 inches, containing 352 pages and 295 color photos, and bound in sturdy Smyth Sewn binding.

A Woman in Paris

To raise the funds necessary for this costly venture, Heather has launched a campaign on Kickstarter.

The first edition of her book was awarded a Gold Medal for the 2009 Independent Publisher Awards Best Travel Guide. The second edition, to be released in December, will be shipped in July to those who pledge a minimum of $35 CAD (Canadian dollars) to her Kickstarter campaign. Pledges must be made online by Tuesday, July 8, 2014.

Take a look at her video on Kickstarter and see what a classy gal this writer is!

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Has Your Father Set His Sights on Paris This Year?

Friday, June 13th, 2014
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Part of the joy of exploring Paris is dining in the fabulous restaurants there.

If your father is planning his first trip to Paris this year, he will certainly want to learn about French dining customs before he gets there. Entering into a Parisian restaurant can be practically stress free if he knows in advance what to anticipate in terms of service and food.

Just in time for Father’s Day, our new book Dining Out in Paris — What You Need to Know Before You Get to the City of Light by Tom Reeves will provide your dad with the knowledge and confidence he needs to enter a Parisian restaurant and have a wonderful dining experience.

Dining Out in Paris is an e-book that can be given as a gift and downloaded immediately. Your dad doesn’t even need a Kindle device to read it — he can simply download FREE software that will permit him to read the book on every major tablet, smartphone, and computer that he owns.

Bonus!
Dining Out in Paris — What You Need to Know before You Get to the City of Light contains in-depth reviews of twelve of the author’s favorite restaurants. Your dad will have a head start on selecting where he’ll dine during his trip!

Help your father prepare for a fabulous trip to Paris. Give him a copy of Dining Out in Paris — What You Need to Know Before You Get to the City of Light!

Order from Amazon at the following link: http://amzn.to/1nkgCyu.

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Which Dining Guide Do Most French Waiters Recommend to Paris-bound Travelers?

Wednesday, June 11th, 2014
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Waiter Holding Copy of Dining Out In Paris

We like to think that the dining guide most French waiters recommend is our new e-book Dining Out in Paris – What You Need to Know before You Get to the City of Light.

Entering into a restaurant in Paris can be a formidable experience for the uninitiated traveler. Not only do you have to contend with trying to make your wishes understood by a waiter who may or may not speak your language, but you must learn quickly how to adapt to local dining customs as well.

If you are a first- or second-time traveler to Paris, our new e-book, Dining Out in Paris – What You Need to Know before You Get to the City of Light, will provide you the with the knowledge and confidence that you need to enter into a Parisian restaurant to enjoy a fine meal and to have a wonderful dining experience.

Bonus!
Dining Out in Paris – What You Need to Know before You Get to the City of Light contains in-depth reviews of twelve of the author’s favorite restaurants.

Click here to order! http://amzn.to/1nkgCyu

Note: You don’t need a Kindle device to read Dining Out in Paris. Amazon.com provides FREE reader apps that work on every major tablet, smartphone, and computer so that you can read e-books on whatever type of device you own. Click here to learn more.

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CitizenM’s Launch Party

Sunday, June 8th, 2014
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CitizenM Paris

CitizenM Paris
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

The hotel chain CitizenM threw a party Thursday night to celebrate the grand opening of its newest accommodation, located at the Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. And what a blowout it was!

Zoé

Zoé
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

I arrived shortly after 7:00 p.m. Zoé greeted me in the lobby.

Party in Front Courtyard

Party in the Front Courtyard – Where Are the Bloggers?
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

I thought that the only other guests would be bloggers — like me. However, I quickly realized that many other types had been invited, as most of the people there were dressed in business suits. Bloggers don’t wear business suits… at least not the ones I know!

Victor Bardon of Bouygues and Reinier Van Wingerden of CitizenM

Victor Bardon of Bouygues and Reinier Van Wingerden of CitizenM
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

I circulated to meet people and to gather information about the hotel. After all, that was the reason why I was there…to blog about CitizenM’s launch party. I met some businessmen (pictured above)…

Tom from Amsterdam

Tom from Amsterdam
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

I met Tom from Amsterdam.

Lily Heise and Heather Stimmler-Hall

Lily Heise of Context Travel and Heather Stimmler-Hall of Secrets of Paris
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Daisy de Plume of THATLou and Kasia Dietz of Kasia Dietz Handbags

Daisy de Plume of THATLou and Kasia Dietz of Kasia Dietz Handbags
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

I caught up with some fellow Paris bloggers (Lily Heise, Heather Stimmler-Hall, Daisy de Plume, and Kasia Dietz pictured above).

Szjerdene from London and Mirelva from Amsterdam

Szjerdene from London and Mirelva from Amsterdam
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

And I met Szjerdene and Mirelva, who were having a great time!

Man Giving Room Tours

Man Giving Room Tours
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Then I took a tour of the hotel.

Adèle

Adèle
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Adèle showed me one of the rooms, carefully explaining how everything inside could be controlled by a tablet computer.

I wandered about, exploring the special “theme” rooms that had been set up for the party. Four rooms were occupied by models, demonstrating how the rooms could be used.

Business Room

Business Room
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Chillaxing Room

Chillaxing Room
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Party Room

Party Room
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Romance Room

Romance Room
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

I asked the models in the Romance Room how their evening might end up. The man replied, “We’ll see!”

Crêpe Stand

Crêpe Stand
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

After the tour of the rooms, I went to the front courtyard to get some food. A special thanks goes out to Lily Heise for helping me claim a crêpe from this guy!

Adinda Calbo of Casa Barista

Adinda Calbo of Casa Barista
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Barista Adinda Calbo prepared one of the best cappuccinos that I have ever tasted. Thanks, Adinda!

Idris Harput Serving Champagne

Idris Harput Serving Champagne
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

I got a glass of bubbly from Idris.

DJ

DJ
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Back inside the lobby, a DJ was pumping up the volume.

Lily Heise and Heather Stimmler-Hall Get Serenaded

Lily Heise and Heather Stimmler-Hall Got Serenaded
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Party Inside

Party Inside
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

And the party went on until the wee hours of the morning.

A good time was had by all!

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Tasting Wine from the Kir-Yianna Estate at Mavrommatis

Wednesday, June 4th, 2014
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Stellios Boutaris and Dionysos Mavrommatis

Stellios Boutaris, Director of Kir-Yianna and Dionysos Mavrommatis, Co-founder of Mavrommatis
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Just two weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend a wine tasting at Mavrommatis, our favorite Greek wine shop on rue Censier in the 5th arrondissement. The wines that were proposed that day came from an estate in northwestern Greece called Kir-Yianna. I met Stellios Boutaris, the director of the vineyard, during the event.

Eugenia Stefanidi - Sommelier at Mavrommatis

Eugenia Stefanidi – Sommelier at Mavrommatis
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Sommelier Eugenia Stefanidi served the wines — three whites and three reds — and gave a description of each.  She hails from Greece and studied wine at SupAgro in Montpellier and the Cordon Bleu in Paris.

Presentation of Keftes

Presentation of Keftes
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

To accompany the wines, the Mavrommatis delicatessen next door served a plate of warm keftes (croquettes). Some were filled with cheese, some with spinach, and others with meat…all were appetizing!  I expected nothing less, though — my wife and I often purchase Greek take-out food there when we don’t have the time or inclination to do our own cooking at home.

Yianakohori 2010

Yianakohori 2010
Kir-Yianna Estate

Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Selecting amongst the excellent wines that I tasted, I decided to purchase a bottle of Yianakohori 2010. Before serving it with dinner, my wife and I conducted our own tasting at home.  We noted the following:

Color: deep red-purple
Aroma: ripe-red fruit
Mouth feel: medium-bodied, soft and round followed by a slight tannic sensation.
Flavors: there was a dispute about this — my wife perceived spiciness, whereas I perceived leather.

Despite our different opinions about the flavors, we both enjoyed this wine!

Kir-Yianna
Yianakohori Naoussa
GR-59200 Νaoussa

Mavrommatis
49, rue Censier
75005 Paris

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