Paris 2009 – Dinner 2

New Years Eve is a lot of fun in the City of Lights but finding that special place can be too much for even the most experienced traveler. Foodie Rosa Jackson chose La Bastide Odeon for us this year. Ringing in the New Year!

La Bastide Odéon

7 Rue Corneille, 6^th (01.43.26.03.65). M° Odéon.

Chef/owner Gilles Ajuelos has made this Saint-Germain bistro something of an institution. The dining room in shades of ochre has a southern feel and his cooking borrows from all over the Mediterranean. Part of the menu is even dedicated to vegetarian dishes, a rarity in Paris. For New Year’s he has concocted two tempting set menus with enough choices to keep everyone happy.

La Bastide Odeon

New Years Eve

Images of our day in Paris

Paris 2009 – Day Two [Itinerary]

New Year’s Eve in Paris! For me – there isn’t a better place to celebrate the conclusion of the past year and look to opportunities of the New Year.

Paris goes quiet on New Year’s Day (I guess everyone else is sleeping in after a night on-the-town). Best of all – after this weekend most of my fellow tourist are gone and long waiting lines are a thing of the past.

Today – we are off to see two temporary exhibitions in the city.

We start our day at Musee Jacquemart-Andre to view an exhibit of works by Bruegel, Memling, and Van Eyck. This small museum is located to the north on the Right Bank. This museum was once a private estate within the city (and is clearly how I would have loved to live should I have been born during that time).

The museum’s private collection of work and architecture is well worth your time. While the special exhibit is wonderful – the estate and collection is hard to beat.

Next we headed over to one of the oddest museums in Paris, the Pinacotheque. The museum is host to a special exhibit Golden Age of Holland. The museum continues to be an odd place – that said – it attracts some wonderful temporary collections.

Paris 2009 – Dinner 1

I love good food. Every year I look forward to receiving recommendations from our local foodie Rosa Jackson. She is terrific. Hiring a local foodie is my #1 travel tip. It saves tons of time, reduces stress, and rounds off a good travel itinerary.

Tonight we return to one of our favorite places to eat in the Latin Quarter. We return to the Le Petit Pontoise every year for some traditional French cuisine. The place is small (like most Paris spots) so make reservations unless your dining early. Their Foie Gras is terrific.

Mark tried Foie Gras and Escargot for the first time. The chef continued to live up to our expectation! We are loving it.

Paris 2009 - Day One (Afternoon)

Where better to begin a trip to Paris than viewing a special exhibit at the Louvre?

This exhibit Rivals in Renaissance Venice displays the great works by Titian, Tintoretto, and Veronese. Their rivalry did not lead to aesthetic degradation but rather to a profusion of ideas.

There are lots of remedies to fight off jet-lag but none can compete with a visit to the Louvre. Not a bad choice.

Long lines had us avoid the final days of Toulouse-Lautrec. The Les Arts Decoratifs Museum is co-located with the Louvre. The Web site also has a nice guide of the exhibit (PDF) so that will have to do.

Instead we took advantage of the incredible warm weather and walk around the park and along the Seine. It made for a good day of photo taking and quick overview of the city. The parks were busy.

Ferris

Paris Fun

Paris 2009 – Day One [Arrival]

I know this is going to be a tough day to keep going after an overnight flight from the good ol’ USA to Paris.

Our flights went off without a hitch and we cleared Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris without delay. We found our traveling companion, Barbara, and headed into the city.

One of our favorite features is Hotel D’Able is directly on the RER train route. It makes for a convenient transport to and from town. Best of all it is much more affordable than a taxi.

After dropping our suitcases at the hotel – we ran a few quick errands to pick up our tickets at the local FNAC counter and purchase my coffee-maker.  Yes - I have to drink American coffee even in Paris.

Still Smiling

Next leg of the trip to Paris and smiles all around. Only 8 hours to go!

Paris Bound

After arriving too many hours early we are on our first flight.
Chicago here we come.

Mapped Out Paris

View Paris 2009 in a larger map

Ultimate

This would qualify as the ultimate sacrifice to make the trip! Yes - -
a portable resting chair.

Paris Planning

It is true. I am desperate to go to Paris and promising all types of things.

Paris Pain

Paris is only a few days away and I have injured my back. Yes, can you believe it? Years of wear and tear have caused L4/L5/S1 discs to be bulging. The result is extreme pain in my lower back and legs. Yesterday I had my first epidural. Wow - wasn't that an adventure to experience only once.

So ... I am faced with the reality that I may not make this trip to Paris. And ... if I do - I have to do research on anything that might help me travel more comfortably. Today - I ran across this flight seat cushion. It looks weird but it is listed in the travel survival guide from Conde Nast traveler.

2009/2010 Itinerary

Okay - so I over did it with the pre-planning again. I cannot help myself. We have 10 days in Paris this year and new guests (my niece and her husband) with us for their first trip to the City of Lights. I cannot wait to share the city with them. I know we will have loads of fun. And ... from a quick look at this year's itinerary - we may even lose some weight from all the running around town.

Paris Supplies

I ran across these travel slippers at REI in Dallas. I have always wanted a pair of slip on shoes for use on longer air plane rides. These Acorn slippers should work perfectly. I also grabbed a new travel pillow.

REI has great supplies. I added a pair of silk glove liners, ear muffs and wool sock liners to round off my preparations for the cold Paris weather.

New Year's Plans

Here is the menu for our New Year's Eve dinner in Paris. The restaurant is located near the Luxembourg Gardens and very close to our hotel.

LES ENTERES
Soup hot chestnuts and bacon grilled fingers of gingerbread
Tartare of oysters and salmon, served with a leek, radish and horseradish cream
Roasted Turnips and whipped goat fresh pink grapefruit and ginger
Pressed chicken and foie gras with artichokes, pepper chutney Mango

LES PLAST
Walnut St. Jacques Orange, neighborhood pumpkin and sweet potato
Interlocking doe pepper, mashed pumpkin
Filet de bar à la plancha, mashed parsnips and wild capers
Lièvre à la Royale Senator Knives
Guinea fowl supreme with heirloom vegetables, broth with foie gras and cream datte

FORMAGE
Roquefort terrine and fresh goat cheese, fruit chutney (suppl. 8 €)

LES SESSERTS
Yarrow is traditional minute vanilla bourbon and Grand Marnier
Ice cream with bitter chocolate, ice cream, chestnuts and candied orange
Clementine lemongrass, coconut milk and sorbet struck quark
Sanded smooth with quince and creme brulee, grout "apple - quince

Temptations of Paris

Barbara is already teasing the gang.

Paris Planning

We are days away from departing for Paris. Our planning is pretty much complete. A few minor details are left. Soon we will be enjoying the City of Lights!

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