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Welcome to the AT YOUR SERVICE Paris
Newsletter |
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What's new in Paris this winter
Just when we can't stand the grey,
gloomy January weather any longer, Paris
gives us something to cheer us up. This
year it was the celebration of the
Chinese New Year culminating in the
spectacular light show illuminating the
Eiffel Tower. During Chinese president
Jintao's five-day visit to Paris the
Eiffel Tower was majestically lit up in
scarlet, the color of happiness,
celebration and prosperity according to
the Chinese tradition. And it was a
sight to behold.
Once the festivities wrapped up,
Parisians turn their attention to
another kind of celebration; the
celebration of love. Ah yes, Saint
Valentine's Day. Just the though of it
conjures up images of French chocolates,
French champagne, French lingerie,
French perfume... What better place to
celebrate romance than the City of
Light? This time I am asking for your
thoughts. Tell me what your idea of the
perfect Valentine's celebration in Paris
would be. I'll tell you some of the
responses in the next newsletter.
And now, a few tips on what's new in
Paris. |
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A new bar at the Ritz
“Whenever I dream of the hearafter, the
action always takes place at the Ritz”
or so claimed Ernest Hemingway when
referring to his favorite watering hole.
I think Hemingway would be happy to know
that the original Hemingway Bar, or
rather the bar he frequented which is
not to be confused with the current
Hemingway Bar, has recently re-opened.
Inaugurated in 1921, then closed down in
favor of the bar across the hall, the
newest addition to the Ritz is devoted
primarily to champagne. The waiters love
to regale guests with the colorful
history of the Ritz and its bars.
The entrance is found on the rue Cambon
side of the Ritz, allowing you direct
access to the sumptuous décor and warm,
convivial atmosphere. As if dropping by
sip champagne wasn’t good enough to come
to the Ritz, there is another. The
music. “Comme il faut” as we say;
brilliant jazz without being
overwhelming.
Having a drink at the Ritz is one of
life’s little pleasures you really must
indulge in on your next stay in Paris.
Le Bar Cambon
38, rue Cambon, Paris 1st
Tel : 01 43 16 30 90
From 6pm until 2am
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Restaurant Rendez-vous
There is a lot is going on this winter
on the restaurant scene.
For fans of the Monde des Chimères on
the Ile Saint-Louis, I have bad news.
But for fans of Alsatian chef par
excellence, Antoine Westermann, I have
fabulous news. The renovations I
announced last summer at the Monde des
Chimères have given way to a chic new
bistro sure to become a favorite, Mon
Vieil Ami. The old dining room was given
a face lift to compliment the cuisine
which is radiant. Traditional dishes
jump, there’s no better way to put it.
You think escargot soup, ok but this
cream of escargot is magical. The same
is true of the carmelized choucroute or
sauerkraut. And the high point of the
evening turns out to be when the bill
arrives. A three-course menu without
wine is a mere 38€.
Mon Vieil Ami (see photo)
69, rue Saint-Louis-en-l’Ile, Paris, 4th
Tel : 01 40 46 01 35
Closed all day Monday and Tuesday lunch
On a different level, noshing in the wee
hours on the Champs-Elysées just got a
little more trendy. Previously open only
to members of the private poker club,
the Aviation Club of Paris has thrown
its doors open to the public. Now the
restaurant/drawing room done up in an
almost kitsch English library style
serves a traditional cuisine during the
day and a Chinese menu at night. The
perfect spot for breakfast after dancing
the night away.
Aviation Club of France
104, avenue des Champs-Elysées
Paris 8th
Open 24/24
Hot off the press! Le Meurice just
received its second Michelin star.
Technically, the sought-after second
star hasn’t yet been awarded since the
2004 edition of the Michelin guide
doesn’t hit the bookstores until
February 27th but word is out.
I’m sure you remember reading my glowing
review of Yannick Alleno’s arrival at
the Meurice a few months ago. In a mere
five months the hotels notoriety has
climbed at a rarely seen pace. This
might make getting a table just a bit
more difficult.
Le Meurice
228, rue de Rivoli, Paris 1st
Tel : 01 44 58 10 10
And in the “what’s coming up in the
spring” department, look for yet another
Joël Robuchon restaurant. This time he
is setting up shop in the Seize sur
Seize location near Place Victor Hugo in
the 16th. The restaurant, scheduled to
open in April, will be called “La Table
de Joël Robuchon”. Don’t forget to check
back here to read my review.
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Le Drugstore Publicis Re-opens after
two years of renovations
The wait has been long; the expectations
high. Le Drugstore Publicis, symbol of
the Champs-Elysées of the 60’s,
re-opened last Friday after two long
years of extensive renovations. Le
Drugstore was possibly the best know
pick-up spot in Paris, it was surely the
spot to snag a pack of Gauloises at 2am
or a newspaper at any hour.
Longtime Publicis president, Maurice
Lévy says with pride, “It is a gift to
all Parisians.” The new Publicis,
designed by American architect Michele
Saee in a style reminiscent of Frank
Gehry, brings a renewed design statement
back to the venerable Champs-Elysées.
Joining forces with Cartier, Louis
Vuitton, Montblanc and Fouquet’s, all
recently opened, re-opened or closed or
renovations, Le Drugstore is part of a
plan to push the Champs-Elysées into the
21st century with as much, if not more,
panache than in years past.
For those of you unfamiliar with the
Paris landmark, let me take you on a
brief tour. On the ground floor 109
magazines and newspapers from around the
world are available from 8am – 2am. Up
on the first floor is the Espace Shu
Uemura for all you make-up and beauty
needs. NY beauty legend Kiehl’s is an
invited guest through February 19th.
Gone are the CD’s, videos, and perfume
only to give way to a greater culinary
presence. On the ground floor, the
traditional brasserie with waitresses
outfitted by fashion high-priest
Jean-Charles Castelbajac, and a
bar/café, both open from 8am to 1:15 am.
There is also a prepared food section
run by Alain Ducasse- trained Alain
Soulard. And for those of you truly in
the know, Le Restaurant Privé Marcel is
available by invitation only.
On the first floor there is a wine
cellar and a cigar cellar open from 11am
until 11pm. And if you’re wondering,
yes, there is even a pharmacy.
Take a run over and see the future of
the Champs-Elysées.
Le Drugstore Publicis
133, avenue des Champs-Elysées
Paris 8th
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Paris Tourist Office closes its doors
The Paris Tourist Office has closed down
its doors on the Champs-Elysées.
Tourists searching for hotel rooms, bus
tours, souvenirs or information will
temporarily have to use one of the
smaller tourist offices. A victim of
escalating rent prices along the "most
beautiful avenue in the world", the
paris Toursit Office plans to move into
new digs on the rue des Pyradmides,
between the Louvre and the Opéra, in May
2004. Until then you can get a warm,
Paris Welcome at their kiosk in the Gare
du Nord, behind the Opéra on rue Scribe,
or in the Gare de Lyon. There is also a
small booth at the Eiffel Tower.
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