The WELL: inkwell.vue.327: Alec Lobrano, Hungry for Paris

#223: Howard Levine (hll) Mon 7 Jul 08 20:26

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:26:00 PDT

thanks Alec. we'll try for a dinner there. [Read entire topic]

#222: Alexander Lobrano (aleclobrano) Sun 6 Jul 08 09:14

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 09:14:00 PDT

Howard,

I think dinner's livelier and more "Parisian" at Itineraires, and yes, do book a week ahead of time, since it has become very, very popular. Another new place that I like very much is La Bigarrade, rue Nollet, 17th arrondissement. It's a tiny little spot where the chef cooks a single prix-fixe menu nightly at 60 Euros, a bit expensive, but well-worth it in terms of the food.

And just in case you were thinking of going to Aux Fin Gourmets, the old bistro on boulevard Saint Germain near the rue du Bac: Don't. It may have new owners--a young crew that trained with Alain Ducasse--but the food is awful and it's very expensive for no good reason.

Best, Alec [Read entire topic]

#221: Howard Levine (hll) Sun 6 Jul 08 06:44

Sun, 06 Jul 2008 06:44:00 PDT

Alec - We're thinking of visiting Itineraires later this month. Do you recommend lunch or dinner there, or does it matter? Are reservations becoming necessary due to the current reviews?

Thanks. [Read entire topic]

#220: Alexander Lobrano (aleclobrano) Wed 2 Jul 08 23:08

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:08:00 PDT

Soaring prices, a sinking stock market, and the utter misery of air travel are powerful deterrents to any travel right now, of course, but the good news is that Paris remains relatively affordable. With a little bit of planning (eat your main meal at noon, for example), you can still eat extremely well in Paris for prices that are lower than what you'd pay for a mid-level meal in the U.S. Of the many good-value places in HUNGRY FOR PARIS, friends have recently loved Le Mesturet and Au Vieux Chene. [Read entire topic]

#219: Cynthia Dyer-Bennet (cdb) Wed 25 Jun 08 07:09

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 07:09:00 PDT

> if you're coming to Paris this summer!

Wish I could. That "Bush's peso" problem isn't limited to the value of the US dollar outside the States. It's buying power is shrinking drastically right here at home, too. Most everybody in the the US's economic middle class is doing a lot of belt-tightening these days.

But I still love all this talk of restaurants and food. It inspires me to expand my own kitchen repertoire. That pounti dish is a great example. [Read entire topic]

#218: Alexander Lobrano (aleclobrano) Mon 23 Jun 08 16:18

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:18:00 PDT

Sylvain decides what he cooks everyday according to what he finds in the markets, local ones but also the big mother of all Paris markets at Rungis. This means that his cooking is incredibly seasonal, fresh, and inspired. Don't miss this place if you're coming to Paris this summer!

And speaking of which, after my recent trip to sublime but shudderingly expensive Croatia, I have to tell you that even with the dollar in the dumps (Some French newspapers call it "Bush's Peso), eating in Paris is still excellent value for the money as long as you skip the whole haute cuisine thing and do bistros. [Read entire topic]

#217: Cynthia Dyer-Bennet (cdb) Mon 23 Jun 08 09:48

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:48:00 PDT

What do you mean by "market cooking," Alec? [Read entire topic]

#216: Alexander Lobrano (aleclobrano) Mon 23 Jun 08 05:50

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 05:50:00 PDT

Great new restaurant alert: INTINERAIRES, rue de Pontoise, 5th. Chef is Sylvain Sendra, who used to be at Le Temps a Temps in the 11th. Superb market cooking and very reasonably priced. [Read entire topic]

#215: Howard Levine (hll) Sun 22 Jun 08 15:42

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 15:42:00 PDT

excellent - thanks Alec - lunch on the 24th it is. [Read entire topic]

#214: Alexander Lobrano (aleclobrano) Sun 22 Jun 08 14:50

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 14:50:00 PDT

Howard,

I much prefer lunch at Gagnaire, since there's more atmosphere and the dining room is more likely to be filled with a French (powerbroker) crowd than with foreigners. Only a dish or two not available at lunch, so you won't miss anything either. Lunch or dinner, by all means go, though, since I don't think Gagnaire's food has ever been better.

Alec [Read entire topic]