Tasted, Tested in Le Bourbonnais: Saint Pourcain Wines, Auvergne Cheeses, Charolais Beef
In which the author visits Le Bourbonnais, a little-known area of central France in the department of Allier within the region of Auvergne, encounters local cheeses, Charolais beef and Saint Pourcain wines, and gets smart by sticking his head in a saint's tomb.
Brunch in Montmartre
Brunch, now a common offering in cafés and eateries throughout Paris, has made a nice home for itself in three distinct establishments on the western side of the hill of Montmartre: the café Le Cafe Qui Parle, the bakery Coquelicot and the restaurant Le Petit Parisien.
La Bauhinia at Shangri-La: Seductively Polished Cuisine and a Little Cleavage
An evening at Le Bar and La Bauhinia at the Shangri-La Hotel in Paris reveals the seduction of an evening at a top-tier hotel... and a little cleavage.
Le Comptoir Général, Either You Get It or You Don’t
You think you're hip but you still don’t know that Le Comptoir General, a bar and events space across the street from Canal Saint Martin, is among the hippest spaces in Paris this spring?
Skytrees: Montmartre By Nightfall
Skytrees: Visions of time and place found by looking up through trees at an angle of more than 45 degrees. Here are some prime examples of skytrees in Paris and a recommendable restaurant entered at nightfall in Montmartre.
Jean, the Restaurant: Dinner with the Master of the House
Fine restaurants are typically defined by their chef or location, but there is an often forgotten category of gastronomy whose prime asset is having...
Blessed truffles in Provence
About a month ago I opened the e-newsletter that I receive monthly from the Vaucluse Tourist Board in Provence and saw that they were...
Montmartre Celebrates Grape Harvest with Wine Auction at La Bonne Franquette
Montmartre celebrated its annual Grape Harvest Festival (Fête des Vendanges) in early October with a series of joyful community events including lectures, concerts, tasting...
Three Reasons to Experience a Remarkable Chef: Part 2
Symbols, stars, numbers, and other restaurant rating systems can provide a culinary relief map of a city, but they’re inadequate in revealing the particular...