this frozen gnome says, "happy holidays!"{and will be taking a brief respite until early 2010}
12.23.2009
12.21.2009
brookline village tees....the perfect any time gift!
This adorable yet simple tee shirt comes only in black. It is a fitted tee with a scoop neck. 100% pre-shrunk, ring spun cotton. Womens sizes S, M, and L.
They are $18.
Contact me if you're interested!
12.10.2009
Hôtel Pont Royal
For five days and five nights in Paris, I would highly recommend the:
75007 Paris - France
Located right off of Rue St-Germain, on a quieter side street, Montalambert, this sweet little gem was perfect for our brief but full jaunt to Paris in December.
(and you'll notice that all these polished, stylized photos were taken straight from the website.)
the lounge.....
a view...
another view...
and the lobby...
We stayed here for two reasons, the location and the restaurant.
The location was right in the heart of the 6th arrondisement. Right where we like to be....walking distance to the Seine, the Latin Quarter, the Marais, and beyond.
And the restaurant is L'atelier de Joël Robuchon Restaurant.
Dressed only in red and black, the impression from this Michelin three-star chef's eatery is not one of warm and welcoming but stark and serious. That all dissipates the minute you sit down and waiters surround you with smiles, greetings, bread, information, and humor.
If you look closely at the photos, you can see the perfect example of food as art. Floating slices of cukes, carrots, and red pepper in oil? water? Colorful lentils layered in a vase. Perfectly placed apples.....all just there for you to stare at and enjoy along with the handsome staff of young men manning the stove, grill, oven, and crockpot. Okay - no crockpot but there was a load of quiet mystical culinary action just an arm's length from our seats - absolute cooking wizardry with wooden spoons as wands.
It's hard to go into all the detail about the 3 course meal we had without sounding a little repetitive. I can, however, easily point you in the direction of a better written review from NY Times, Mark Bittman.
Suffice it to say, it was absolutely the most amazing meal I have ever had. In my life.
Hotel Pont Royal - Saint Germain des Près
7 rue de Montalembert75007 Paris - France
Located right off of Rue St-Germain, on a quieter side street, Montalambert, this sweet little gem was perfect for our brief but full jaunt to Paris in December.
(and you'll notice that all these polished, stylized photos were taken straight from the website.)
the lounge.....
a view...
another view...
and the lobby...
We stayed here for two reasons, the location and the restaurant.
The location was right in the heart of the 6th arrondisement. Right where we like to be....walking distance to the Seine, the Latin Quarter, the Marais, and beyond.
And the restaurant is L'atelier de Joël Robuchon Restaurant.
Dressed only in red and black, the impression from this Michelin three-star chef's eatery is not one of warm and welcoming but stark and serious. That all dissipates the minute you sit down and waiters surround you with smiles, greetings, bread, information, and humor.
If you look closely at the photos, you can see the perfect example of food as art. Floating slices of cukes, carrots, and red pepper in oil? water? Colorful lentils layered in a vase. Perfectly placed apples.....all just there for you to stare at and enjoy along with the handsome staff of young men manning the stove, grill, oven, and crockpot. Okay - no crockpot but there was a load of quiet mystical culinary action just an arm's length from our seats - absolute cooking wizardry with wooden spoons as wands.
It's hard to go into all the detail about the 3 course meal we had without sounding a little repetitive. I can, however, easily point you in the direction of a better written review from NY Times, Mark Bittman.
Suffice it to say, it was absolutely the most amazing meal I have ever had. In my life.
Relais de L'Entrecote
We had five days, well, really four and a half. Our primary goal was to cover as much ground as we possibly could by foot while making sure we ended our day with some off-the-charts fabulous meal.
My husband and I have a couple of strategies when we travel - we never return to the same destination or spot twice, we never eat at the same restaurant more than once, and we basically plan our day around dinner - meaning we research, we plot out our walk, and we find gems along the way that are usually spontaneous and magical.
Yet, for this return to Paris we through out our reliable strategies and went back to a favorite haunt for our first dinner. Mostly because it's an institution, it's cheap, and it's solidly good, comfort, French bistro food. And maybe too much to choose from can be a bit overwhelming.
Le Relais de l'Entrecote - or L'Entrecote - as it's more widely known, is really more diner than bistro. We went to the original, in the 6e, right off of St-Germain for steak frites. The best steak frites.
There is no choice in food. And with decent options for wine, it's still best to go with the house wine. You are greeted with only one question: Quelle cuisson? (how would you like it cooked?). I went with rare, my husband went with medium.
You are served by one of a dozen women, dressed in a stereotypical french maid's uniform, handling deftly a pair of spoons in one hand, dishing out your cut of meat, frites, and the secret sauce on top.
With only one two course meal on the menu that includes a salad with warm walnuts and this crazy-awesome mustard vinaigrette:
and steak dressed in a mysterious greenish, savory goo, and fries:
(A word on the secret sauce: here's what I'm guessing - tarragon, maybe herbes de provence, mustard, parmesan, and maybe chicken livers?)
And you sit, take it all in, and dine on a fabulous plate of beef and potatoes. Old Style.
My husband and I have a couple of strategies when we travel - we never return to the same destination or spot twice, we never eat at the same restaurant more than once, and we basically plan our day around dinner - meaning we research, we plot out our walk, and we find gems along the way that are usually spontaneous and magical.
Yet, for this return to Paris we through out our reliable strategies and went back to a favorite haunt for our first dinner. Mostly because it's an institution, it's cheap, and it's solidly good, comfort, French bistro food. And maybe too much to choose from can be a bit overwhelming.
Le Relais de l'Entrecote - or L'Entrecote - as it's more widely known, is really more diner than bistro. We went to the original, in the 6e, right off of St-Germain for steak frites. The best steak frites.
There is no choice in food. And with decent options for wine, it's still best to go with the house wine. You are greeted with only one question: Quelle cuisson? (how would you like it cooked?). I went with rare, my husband went with medium.
You are served by one of a dozen women, dressed in a stereotypical french maid's uniform, handling deftly a pair of spoons in one hand, dishing out your cut of meat, frites, and the secret sauce on top.
With only one two course meal on the menu that includes a salad with warm walnuts and this crazy-awesome mustard vinaigrette:
and steak dressed in a mysterious greenish, savory goo, and fries:
(A word on the secret sauce: here's what I'm guessing - tarragon, maybe herbes de provence, mustard, parmesan, and maybe chicken livers?)
And you sit, take it all in, and dine on a fabulous plate of beef and potatoes. Old Style.
12.04.2009
Paris au mois de décembre
Off to celebrate 15 years of marital bliss in 5 short days in Paris. I'll return with a full report.
Adieu.
12.01.2009
Get your holiday on!
(double click the image for better viewing)If you happen to be in Brookline Village this Thursday, December 3rd, please come by 28 Emerson Street from 5pm until the wine runs out. We are celebrating local talent and offering everyone an opportunity to get a jump on their holiday shopping.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
