Agapes -- restaurant review

47 bis rue Poliveau
75005 Paris
tele: 01-43-31-69-20
www.restaurant-agapes.com

Rating Standards: 4-Stars = Extraordinary; 3-Stars = Excellent; 2-Stars = Good; 1-Star = Fair; NO stars = Poor
€ = Inexpensive: 30€ and under; €€ = Moderate: 31€-49€; €€€ = Expensive: €50 -75; €€€€ = Very Expensive: more than €76 (prices based on minimum 2-courses)
1-Bell = Pleasantly quiet (less than 65 decibels); 2-Bells = Can talk easily (65-70); 3-Bells = Talking normally gets difficult (70-75); 4-Bells = Can talk only in raised voices (75-80); BOMB = Too noisy for normal conversation (80+)


2.5-Stars.........................€€....................1-Bells

Friends Bill and Dan live around the corner from Agapes (not to be confused with L'Agapé in the 17eme). It's their neighborhood restaurant.  First we had apéros across the street and then headed out to dinner for our 8 pm reservations. As we were sitting at the outdoor café I noticed the streets weren't that busy, and the café as well wasn't very busy,  methinks a lot of people may have already escaped for the month long hajj.

Went into the restaurant, and the first thing I noticed that it was quite attractive, very elegant. There were some old and new touches. Original stone walls were exposed along the side and the tables all had white linen with beautiful colored lavender glass chargers. And, there were some tables for two strategically placed by the windows to give a more intimate and romantic feel. Some thought was definitely put into this restaurant's design.

Food for Thought

Bistros and cafés in Monmartre

In the past couple of weeks my friends, both foodies and non-foodies, both full-time Parisian residents, and part-time Parisian residents but all ex-pats have been discussing food, and the evolution of food in Paris. Some of these debates have been sparked by the many magazine articles and blogs about food in general. All-in-all very informative exchanges of thoughts and ideas that I I’d like to share:

Our misadventures in Biarritz

Our friend said she needed a vacation, I’m all for that, with my hectic retired life I needed one too?  imagine that. She tried to find a place in San Sebastian Spain, but accommodations were slim pickings, guess it must be high season.  Fortunately, she found a lovely apartment right on the beach at Biarritz, once a haven for the rich, famous and beautiful like Saint Tropez or Cannes is today.  Biarritz is still beautiful but is more a haven for the young surfer dude types.

Le Renard: Restaurant - Bar - and Karaoke

 

12, rue du Renard 75004 Paris

tele: 01-42-71-86 27

12, rue du Renard 75004 Paris

http://www.gogoparis.com/2010/05/23/le-renard-restaurant-karaoke/

The Gang                                                                     Victor describing the dishes

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 Rating Standards: 4-Stars = Extraordinary; 3-Stars = Excellent; 2-Stars = Good; 1-Star = Fair; NO stars = Poor

€ = Inexpensive: 30€ and under; €€ = Moderate: 31€-49€; €€€ = Expensive: €50-75; €€€€ = Very Expensive: more than €76 (prices based on minimum 2-courses)

1-Bell = Pleasantly quiet (less than 65 decibels); 2-Bells = Can talk easily (65-70); 3-Bells = Talking normally gets difficult (70-75); 4-Bells = Can talk only in raised voices (75-80); BOMB = Too noisy for normal conversation (80+)

  3-Stars.........................€€€....................3-Bells

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The same owners of The Buddha Bar in Paris, came in and restored a beautiful old theater called, Le Renard, which means the fox.  My good friend Victor Magsaysay, told me back in April that he was hired to be the head Chef. I was really excited for him, and he wanted know if I could help him develop the menu. Keep in mind, at this time, the restaurant renovations weren't even half complete, it was completely gutted and there was no kitchen.  But we went ahead and came up with some really neat southeast asian dishes.  Then I recommended we also pull someone else into our brainstorming group, our mutual friend Zabie, since she's owned several restaurants throughout the US, and could provide a world of knowledge that neither Victor nor I have.  So, after brainstorming for 2-days and through test kitchens, Victor was able to develop some really incredible dishes, which you will read about later.

Le Clos Morillons -- Restaurant Review

Le Clos Morillons
50 Rue des Morillons
15eme
tele: 01-48-28-04-37

Rating Standards: 4-Stars = Extraordinary; 3-Stars = Excellent; 2-Stars = Good; 1-Star = Fair; NO stars = Poor

€ = Inexpensive: 30€ and under; €€ = Moderate: 31€-49€; €€€ = Expensive: €50-75; €€€€ = Very Expensive: more than €76 (prices based on minimum 2-courses)

1-Bell = Pleasantly quiet (less than 65 decibels); 2-Bells = Can talk easily (65-70); 3-Bells = Talking normally gets difficult (70-75); 4-Bells = Can talk only in raised voices (75-80); BOMB = Too noisy for normal conversation (80+)

  2-Stars.........................€....................2-Bells

This restaurant is about 2-blocks from our apartment. We walk by it all the time and every time we walk by, we're always saying we need to try this restaurant. So, a few days ago friends Bill and Dan said, "let's get together for dinner," and I thought why don't we try this restaurant, we can all be guinea pigs. Bill and Dan had lived in Paris for several years, and are planning to return and retire here as we have.  So, they are very versed on French cuisine, and because they have either lived or traveled extensively around the world, are very versed on "world" cuisine. Net-net, they are fellow "foodies."

Jadis -- Restaurant Review

Jadis
208 Rue de la Croix Nivert Tele: 01 45 57 73 20‎

bistrot-jadis.com

Rating Standards: 4-Stars = Extraordinary; 3-Stars = Excellent; 2-Stars = Good; 1-Star = Fair; NO stars = Poor

€ = Inexpensive: 30€ and under; €€ = Moderate: 31€-49€; €€€ = Expensive: €50-75; €€€€ = Very Expensive: more than €76 (prices based on minimum 2-courses)


1-Bell = Pleasantly quiet (less than 65 decibels); 2-Bells = Can talk easily (65-70); 3-Bells = Talking normally gets difficult (70-75); 4-Bells = Can talk only in raised voices (75-80); BOMB = Too noisy for normal conversation (80+)


  2-Stars (7/13/10).........................€€....................2-Bells

  Average rating for 3-visits = 2.5 stars 

We went there July 13 with our good friends Cynthia and Joël. Jadis has been opened now for a couple of years, and this will be my third time to go.  First let me say that I understand that not all restaurants can be on their game 100% of the time.  And, this time around some of the dishes were hits, some were OK,  and one in particular was just inedible, I'll explain later. So, for 32€ you can get an entrée, a plat, and a dessert.  Let's start with the entrées:

A fine taste of Paris

 A fine taste of Paris

 http://www.afinetasteofparis.com/

Our good friends Joël and Cynthia try to come to Paris at least 2-3 times a year. They're one of the fortunate ones that were able to buy an apartment in the very much sought after Ile Saint Louis. What else can I say except, location, location, location. And, the title says it all.

Summer apéros at Palais Royale

You know it's summer when you have apéros at Palais Royale...

We've been experiencing sweltering heat this summer. Imagine, not too long away we were complaining that summer hasn't come fast enough, and now we're complaining about it coming in too strong..., oh well!

 Apéros at Palais Royale

Anahuacalli Mexican Restaurant -- Review

Anahuacalli
30 Rue des Bernardins
75005 Paris, France
01 43 26 10 20

http://www.anahuacalli.com/la-carte.html

 







  

Rating Standards: 4-Stars = Extraordinary; 3-Stars = Excellent; 2-Stars = Good; 1-Star = Fair; NO stars = Poor

€ = Inexpensive: 30€ and under; €€ = Moderate: 31€-49€; €€€ = Expensive: €50-75; €€€€ = Very Expensive: more than €76 (prices based on minimum 2-courses)

1-Bell = Pleasantly quiet (less than 65 decibels); 2-Bells = Can talk easily (65-70); 3-Bells = Talking normally gets difficult (70-75); 4-Bells = Can talk only in raised voices (75-80); BOMB = Too noisy for normal conversation (80+)

  2.5-Stars.........................€€....................2-Bells

 

The 4-new bff: 2-Americans, 1-Canadian, and 1-French were sent on a mission by Americans "to seek out where no others have been before..." yep, a Mexican restaurant in Paris.

Moi, Darrell, Alexandre, and Just Jack

Les Petits Plats -- Restaurant Review

Les Petits Plats--red color makes it stand out

39, rue des Plantes 14eme

Tele: 01.45.42.50.52

Rating Standards: 4-Stars = Extraordinary; 3-Stars = Excellent; 2-Stars = Good; 1-Star = Fair; NO stars = Poor

€ = Inexpensive: 30€ and under; €€ = Moderate: 31€-49€; €€€ = Expensive: €50-75; €€€€ = Very Expensive: more than €76 (prices based on minimum 2-courses)

1-Bell = Pleasantly quiet (less than 65 decibels); 2-Bells = Can talk easily (65-70); 3-Bells = Talking normally gets difficult (70-75); 4-Bells = Can talk only in raised voices (75-80); BOMB = Too noisy for normal conversation (80+)

 3-Stars.........................€€....................2-Bells

This is our second time in 2-months to come to this neighborhood restaurant in the 14eme.  It was one of the warmest nights of the year, we were originally going to be 6-people for dinner; unforunately, Ms. W. had an unexpected meeting, and another friend has been ill so I'm assuming he just couldn't make it. Regardless, the hardy 4 of us, who will never miss a meal, Cynthia and Joël and Just Jack and I, it would take an act of God or death before we ever miss a food outing.  Jack and I are such Americans, we got there at exactly 8 pm. The bartender, Matthew asked us if we wanted to wait by the bar, a bien sûr since we would be right by the open doors and the breezes would be welcoming.

Our bartender, I said give it to me cold... and he gave me a nice house rosé

Le Petit Baigneur -- Restaurant Review

10, rue de la Salbière
75014 Paris
Tele: 01 45 45 47 12

Rating Standards: 4-Stars = Extraordinary; 3-Stars = Excellent; 2-Stars = Good; 1-Star = Fair; NO stars = Poor

€ = Inexpensive: 30€ and under; €€ = Moderate: 31€-49€; €€€ = Expensive: €50-75; €€€€ = Very Expensive: more than €76 (prices based on minimum 2-courses)

1-Bell = Pleasantly quiet (less than 65 decibels); 2-Bells = Can talk easily (65-70); 3-Bells = Talking normally gets difficult (70-75); 4-Bells = Can talk only in raised voices (75-80); BOMB = Too noisy for normal conversation (80+)


Summary:
3-stars; €-inexpensive; 2-bells--great value for the money.

This restaurant has been reviewed off-and-on for a number of years.  It's basically a place you either like or don't like, because it's not well known, and it's not the new "in" place to go. It is French home cooking served without any pretense, and something that Maman would make.

My first summer week back in Paris (June 21 -June 30)

 Rue Montorgueil

We arrived yesterday from SF and still jet-lagged but definitely wanted to catch up with our good friends Jose and Pablo before they leave for the states the following day to attend Pablo's daughter's wedding. It's like playing tag team. So, we had dinner with them on Monday night. It was a very cold dreary and day, and it was June 21,go figure?.  Well I guess we didn't move to Paris for the weather. We went to our regular neighborhood resto Epicierie on Rue Montorgueil. It's nothing special, but they serve good quick food and all the service people know Pablo and Jose since they go there at minimum twice a week and treat us very special. I think I may have mentioned that they don't have a kitchen so they eat out every night. Restos can't always be on the mark and  tonight they missed their mark, oh well, we had fun none-the-less.